The historical Central Market, the first wet market in Hong Kong, will hold a soft opening on August 23 after four years of structural and cosmetic renovation. The market has been closed for 18 years.
The building was first constructed in 1842 as a local market. Over the next 180 years, the building was repurposed four times. The current iteration was erected in 1938 in a Bauhaus architectural style. At the time, it was one of the first markets to sell fresh food to people of all social classes and the largest meat market in Southeast Asia. After the Urban Council, which ran the market, was dissolved in 1999, the market closed in 2003.
The government attempted to sell the building for commercial development in 2009, but decided to preserve it and give it a Grade III historical building classification after receiving public backlash.
Starting in 2017, revitalization costs rang in at HK$500 million. Local architecture firm AGC Design was responsible for repairing and preserving important original elements of the 83-year-old building, such as columns and wall colours. New elements like adding more entrances will make the space more visitor-friendly.
The 122,000 square foot space spanning four floors has been reimagined as a twenty-first century marketplace. Chinachem Group will run the heritage landmark as a space for promoting local lifestyle brands, offering attractive dining, sustainable boutique shopping, and workshops, and holding cultural and entertainment events in the large high-ceilinged atrium, which can seat 100 people, and dedicated multifunctional event space. A pet-friendly zone can be accessed through the Queen Victoria Street entrance.
Thirteen original market stalls have been preserved and will be home to successful local companies such as Gingko House (known for advocating for senior employment), Lamma Rainbow Seafood, and Maria’s Bakery’s new creative bakery 1966 Baking Alliance.
The second floor pedestrian corridor will continue to serve officeworkers, conveniently linking Hang Seng Bank Headquarters Building, Central Elevated Walkway, and the Mid-Levels escalator.
Visit Central Market starting today, bordered by Jubilee Street, Des Voeux Road Central, Queen Victoria Street, and Queen Road’s Central. To kick off the opening, there will be a STEAM playground on the 1/F event space until 29 August. An exhibition delving into the evolution of the building, The Story of Central Market, is on from 23 August to 1 November.
Central Market, 93 Queen’s Road Central and 80 Des Voeux Road Central, 3618 8668
Header image credits: Tatler Asia
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