MAIN BUILDING
& LOKE YEW HALL

The birth of HKU did not start off smoothly. The establishment of Hong Kong’s first university would not have been possible without the vision of pioneering leaders who championed the creation of the first tertiary institution in the Far East, the generous donations of philanthropists, and the collective efforts of the public and government— all driven by a bold dream. The Main Building stands as the oldest campus structure of HKU, with construction beginning in 1910 and completed in 1912. This landmark has been cherished by generations of students, staff, and alumni.

Shortly after his arrival in 1907, Sir Fredrick Lugard, then Governor of Hong Kong, advocated for the establishment of a university, and solicited donations from individuals and corporations. One notable response came from Hormusjee N. Mody, a Parsi businessman and philanthropist, who donated HK$ 150,000 for the construction of the university. Ultimately, the total costs of the Main Building rose to HK$ 365,000, and Mody honored his promise to contribute the full amount. The Main Building was officially opened on March 11, 1912, with a total enrollment of 72 students (31 in engineering, 21 in medicine, and 20 in arts). Sadly, Mody passed away the previous year and did not live to see the completion of his dream.

In 1915, HKU was hit by financial crisis that nearly brought the university to a standstill. Fortunately, Loke Yew, a renowned merchant and Chinese leader in Malaya with Guangdong origins, donated HK$ 50,000 and lent the University HK$ 500,000 interest-free loan for 21 years. These contributions enabled HKU to tide over the difficult times.

In the 1950s, the Main Building was expanded and doubled to its present size. The extension was carried out by Professor R. Gordon Brown, then head of the newly established Department of Architecture, with the architectural style remaining consistent with the original design. A stage was also added to the auditorium of the Great Hall. In 1956, the Great Hall was named “Loke Yew Hall” in honor of his contributions to the University.

Declared a monument by the Hong Kong Government in 1984, the Main Building continues to captivate visitors with its historic charm. Notable features include the clock tower, four courtyards, and palm trees exceeding 30 feet in height. Within the building, bronze busts of Sir Hormusjee N. Mody and Dr Loke Yew are prominently placed on the main staircase and second floor, respectively.