Ball Tower at 1881 Heritage against the backdrop of the Cultural Center across the street

Above: view from a high point at 1881 Heritage

Although now named "1881 Heritage", this former Hong Kong Marine Police Headquarters compound was built in 1884¹, forty-two years after Hong Kong Island was ceded to the British, and twenty-four years after Kowloon - where it's located - was ceded to the same as a result of the Second Opium War.

It would be interesting to know if opium was consumed back then within those walls. But of course you should not expect to find that there now.

During World War II, the site was used by the occupying Japanese as their Naval base².