Macau Government Headquarters: Office of the Chief Executive
Site at a Glance
- Popularity
- High
- Country
- China
- Primary era
- Modern
- Eras represented
- Modern
- Civilizations
- Portuguese
- Site type
- Civic
- Remains
- Palace
On this page8 sections
History
Macau Government Headquarters is a government building in China, built in 1849 in the Pombaline style, an 18th-century Portuguese tradition associated with rebuilding after the 1755 Lisbon earthquake. Its history and architecture preserve Portuguese influence in Macau.
Governor’s Palace
Architect Tomás de Aquino built the building for Alexandrino Antonio de Melo, the first holder of the noble title Baron do Cercal. Formerly known as the Governor’s Palace, it served as the residence and offices of Macau’s governor before the 1999 handover. The governor’s residence later moved farther west to Macau Government House.
Chief Executive’s office
Since 1999, the building has been the official office of Macau’s Chief Executive, the head of the region’s executive administration.
Remains
Architecture and grounds
The building
The two-storey building has a pink facade and three wings. It stands on Avenida da Praia Grande in São Lourenço, among shops, residences, and other office buildings. Travessa do Paiva, Avenida Dr Stanley Ho, and Travessa do Padre Narciso border the site, while buildings close off its north side. The main entrance faces Avenida Dr Stanley Ho toward Nam Van Lake. The Superior Court of Macau Building and Macau Legislative Assembly Building are visible in the distance.
The garden
A large garden behind the building contains plants, fountains, and trees. Its design brings together European and Chinese styles.
Interior rooms and furnishings
Most of the interior has been updated with modern features, while some original elements remain. The building includes the Lotus Room, used for Executive Council conferences, as well as a multipurpose conference room and a pressroom. Its architecture is European in character, and the furnishings include Chinese wooden furniture and ceramics.
