Eliot Hall and May Hall

Eliot Hall and May Hall

The Exterior of Eliot Hall

Declared Monument

Eliot Hall was opened in 1914 and was named after Sir Charles Eliot, the University’s first Vice-Chancellor. The building was used as a relief hospital providing additional support for Queen Mary Hospital during the Second World War. It was converted into a gymnasium in 1956, and renovated in 1963 as a student residential hall again. In 1966, a massive landslide occurred at a slope adjacent to the building. Part of the building had to be demolished while other parts needed to be repaired. The University took the opportunity to combine Lugard Hall, Eliot Hall and May Hall into one large residential unit and renamed them as Old Halls which opened in 1969. Eliot Wing reverted to its old name Eliot Hall in 1992 when Lugard Wing was demolished.

Eliot Hall has now been converted into University offices. No public access is allowed to the interior of the Hall.

Location Map

The Exterior of May Hall

Declared Monument

May Hall was opened in 1915 and was named after Sir Francis Henry May, the 15th Governor of Hong Kong and the second Chancellor of the University. It served as the main residence for staff and students during the Second World War. On New Year’s Day in 1942, the University’s Congregation was held in May Hall to grant war-time degrees to 14 medical students who took their final examinations at the time of the Japanese attack. Same as Eliot Hall, after the landslide in 1966, May Hall had to be repaired and part of it required demolition. Later, it was combined with Lugard Hall and Eliot Hall to become Old Halls. May Wing reverted to its old name May Hall in 1992 when Lugard Wing was demolished.

May Hall has now been converted into University offices. No public access is allowed to the interior of the Hall.

Location Map