Many staircases in Central and Sheung Wan are recognised as historic buildings or declared monuments. These staircases were once the starting points of community life. In the early days after the city’s founding, Central was reserved for Western residents; and due to the hilly terrain, granite retaining walls were built to stabilise slopes and roads, while granite steps were constructed to connect different street levels for public convenience. Each staircase marked the beginning of a neighbourhood: the Pottinger Street steps gave rise to small shops on either side, the steps at Battery Path became a shortcut between Queen’s Road and the hilltop, while Prince’s Terrace recalls the history of the Douglas Villa mansion. Among them, the stone steps at Duddell Street are particularly remarkable, as four gas lamps were installed alongside the stairs.

The Duddell Street steps and their four gas lamps have stood for almost a century and a half. The granite steps were built in 1883, while the four lantern-shaped railings with gas lamps at both ends were installed in or before 1922. Their heritage value lies not only in their longevity, but also in their design. At the time, the architecture in Sheung Wan reflected strong Western influence; the lantern-like railings and golden lamp posts of Duddell Street are testament to this. To suit the staircase setting, the lamp posts were also made shorter than typical gas lamps of the period, adding to their distinct character.

After the Second World War, electric lighting gradually replaced gas lamps across Hong Kong. Since 1967, these four lamps have become the only surviving British-made gas lamps in the city. It suffered severe damage during Super Typhoon Mangkhut in 2018, when the entire monument was shattered into 280 fragments. Thanks to the efforts of the Antiquities and Monuments Office and the Highways Department, the stone steps and gas lamps were restored with a combination of traditional craftsmanship and innovative technology, and the four century-old gas lamps were lit once again. The restoration project received an Honourable Mention in the Hong Kong Institute of Architects Annual Awards 2019/20.

The value of the Duddell Street steps lies in more than their century-old presence. They were first built simply to connect the Mid-Levels and Sheung Wan, and it was only with the addition of the gas lamps that their significance deepened. Taken together, the steps and gas lamps form a historic ensemble that speaks of the earliest beginnings of a community.

Text and Photography: @kongcept852 (Commissioned by HKIA)