Hung Hing Ying Building was one of the early constructions in the HKU campus originally to house the student union. Financed by Sir Paul Chater, Professor G P Jordan and others, it was campleted and opened in February 1919 by Governor Sir Reginald Stubbs.After WWII, the building was used temporarily for administrative purpose and was later converted into the Senior Common Room for staff members in 1974.

It was named in honour of Mr Hung Hing Ying in 1986 for his family's donations to the University. The building was subsequently used again for administrative purpose and now houses the Department of Music. This two-storey structure is characterized by a central dome and the use of red-brick to emulate the Main Building opposite, in what was then known as the Edwardian Style of architecture. The East Wing was added only in 1960.