A restored Victorian mansion in Central is the new venue for the JLG meetings.

Workmen finished tearing down Colvin House in Admiralty yesterday.

Formation work for the new British Consulate General and British Council will start before the end of the month. It will last until next summer.

Construction of the two curved towers, designed by Terry Farrell, is due for completion by mid-1996.

The British architectural firm is also responsible for the controversial Peak Tower development, plans of which will be officially launched by developer Hong Kong and Shanghai Hotels in the next few weeks.

But the plans, which were leaked to the media about two weeks ago, were meet with a largely negative response. Critics described the planned landmark as a ''public toilet'', ''a space rocket'' and ''God awful''.

But the Hong Kong office of Terry Farrell and Co believe it is in line with the high profile image of being situated on the Peak.

The architects call the building a ''monument'' and the design an ''outstanding achievement''.

Terry Farrell architect Malcolm Sage said he could not comment on the Peak tower.

But work on the consulate was continuing on schedule, he added.

''When the construction work has been completed, the British Government will need some time to fit out the building.

''The intention is to have it ready well before the handover in June 1997,'' Mr Sage said.

The British Trade Commission described the offices as ''unique, impressive and secure''.

The site, behind Pacific Place, will also have a waterfall.