The Government Hill in Mid-levels Central had been the centre of political power in Hong Kong and an invaluable heritage site full of Hong Kong's history over the past 170 years since 1841. The former Central Government Offices, a Bauhaus-style building at the eastern end of Lower Albert Road that was once the nucleus of the area, has been converted into Justice Place after the new government headquarters moved to Tamar in 2011. The site currently occupied by Lower Albert Road Sitting-out Area was part of a subsidiary government office of the former Central Government Offices. After the demolition of the subsidiary government office in 1973, the road was widened and a bus stop was added until 1979 when the sitting-out area was opened to the public. This area has been a major venue for protests, demonstrations, and processions, as it is just across the street from the former Central Government Offices’ Main Wing and East Wing. The 158 square metre sitting-out area is pocket-sized, and is situated in an east-west belt against the stone wall of the Consulate General of the USA in Hong Kong and Macao, as part of the Central District green network. To reflect the grandeur and solemnity of the setting, three rectangular planting ponds planted with dragon boat flowers and cypress arrays are placed along the street and the flower beds extend to the western end of the pavement, further emphasising the serious atmosphere of the venue.