Western Market
Encyclopedia
Western Market is one of the oldest structures in Sheung Wan
, Hong Kong Island
, Hong Kong
. The current structure was the North Block of the original Western Market. It is the oldest surviving market building in the city. The former South Block was replaced by the Sheung Wan Complex in 1981.
Sheung Wan Complex, now called the Sheung Wan Municipal Services Building, the site of the former South Block, is located at 345 Queen's Road Central. It is surrounded by: Queen's Road Central (South), Morrison Street (East) and Bonham Strand
(North).
The South Block at Queen's Road Central was built in 1858 and demolished in 1980. It was replaced by the Sheung Wan Complex in 1981.
The North Block, smaller and more compact in design, was preserved and renovated by Land Development Corporation
. This Edwardian-style
building was built in 1906 as an extension of the then existing Western Market. It was the former site of Harbour Office that had been moved to a reclamation
area in Central District
for a larger space to cope with its increasing workload. The old building of Harbour Office was pulled down to build the North Block of Western Market.
It operated as a food market until 1988. In 1990, it was declared a historical monument
and the renovated market building re-opened as "the Western Market" in 1991. Further refurnishment work was conducted in 2003.
that was popular in England from 1901 to 1918. The brickwork on the four corner towers is "bandaged", giving a polychromatic effect.
On the first floor there is a wide range of cloth and textile
for sale. The top floor is a restaurant with dancing
and live music. On the flyover next to Western Market are
a few old pictures with explanations from times long gone.
Sheung Wan
Sheung Wan is an area in Hong Kong, located in the north-west of Hong Kong Island, between Central and Sai Ying Pun. Administratively, it is part of the Central and Western District...
, Hong Kong Island
Hong Kong Island
Hong Kong Island is an island in the southern part of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. It has a population of 1,289,500 and its population density is 16,390/km², as of 2008...
, Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
. The current structure was the North Block of the original Western Market. It is the oldest surviving market building in the city. The former South Block was replaced by the Sheung Wan Complex in 1981.
Location
Western Market is located at 323 Des Voeux Road Central. The market occupies a whole city block and is surrounded by the following streets: Des Voeux Road Central (South), Morrison Street (East), Connaught Road Central (North) and On Tai Street (West).Sheung Wan Complex, now called the Sheung Wan Municipal Services Building, the site of the former South Block, is located at 345 Queen's Road Central. It is surrounded by: Queen's Road Central (South), Morrison Street (East) and Bonham Strand
Bonham Strand
Bonham Strand is a combination of two streets in Sheung Wan, Hong Kong: Bonham Strand and Bonham Strand West ....
(North).
History
The Western Market came into business in September 1844. Western Market later consisted of two separate blocks: South Block (demolished) and North Block (the current "Western Market").The South Block at Queen's Road Central was built in 1858 and demolished in 1980. It was replaced by the Sheung Wan Complex in 1981.
The North Block, smaller and more compact in design, was preserved and renovated by Land Development Corporation
Urban Renewal Authority
The Urban Renewal Authority is a statutory body in Hong Kong responsible for accelerating redevelopment to provide a better living environment and neighbourhood.-History:...
. This Edwardian-style
Edwardian architecture
Edwardian architecture is the style popular when King Edward VII of the United Kingdom was in power; he reigned from 1901 to 1910, but the architecture style is generally considered to be indicative of the years 1901 to 1914....
building was built in 1906 as an extension of the then existing Western Market. It was the former site of Harbour Office that had been moved to a reclamation
Land reclamation in Hong Kong
Land is in short supply in Hong Kong, and land reclamation has been conducted there since the mid-19th century.-Projects:One of the earliest and famous project was the Praya Reclamation Scheme, which added 50 to of land in 1890 during the second phase of construction...
area in Central District
Central, Hong Kong
Central is the central business district of Hong Kong. It is located in Central and Western District, on the north shore of Hong Kong Island, across Victoria Harbour from Tsim Sha Tsui, the southernmost point of Kowloon Peninsula...
for a larger space to cope with its increasing workload. The old building of Harbour Office was pulled down to build the North Block of Western Market.
It operated as a food market until 1988. In 1990, it was declared a historical monument
Declared monuments of Hong Kong
Declared monuments of Hong Kong are places, structures or buildings legally declared to be "protected". In Hong Kong, declaring a monument requires consulting the Antiquities Advisory Board, the approval of the Chief Executive as well as the publication of the notice in government gazette.As of 12...
and the renovated market building re-opened as "the Western Market" in 1991. Further refurnishment work was conducted in 2003.
Architecture
The four-storey building is in Edwardian styleEdwardian architecture
Edwardian architecture is the style popular when King Edward VII of the United Kingdom was in power; he reigned from 1901 to 1910, but the architecture style is generally considered to be indicative of the years 1901 to 1914....
that was popular in England from 1901 to 1918. The brickwork on the four corner towers is "bandaged", giving a polychromatic effect.
Tenants
Current tenants include:- BavariaBavariaBavaria, formally the Free State of Bavaria is a state of Germany, located in the southeast of Germany. With an area of , it is the largest state by area, forming almost 20% of the total land area of Germany...
n-style bakery - ChineseChinese cuisineChinese cuisine is any of several styles originating in the regions of China, some of which have become highly popular in other parts of the world – from Asia to the Americas, Australia, Western Europe and Southern Africa...
dessert shop - several curio shops
On the first floor there is a wide range of cloth and textile
for sale. The top floor is a restaurant with dancing
and live music. On the flyover next to Western Market are
a few old pictures with explanations from times long gone.
See also
- List of the oldest buildings and structures in Hong Kong
- Central and Western Heritage TrailCentral and Western Heritage TrailThe Central and Western Heritage Trail is a Heritage Trail in Hong Kong, that was designed by the Antiquities and Monuments Office of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department.It covers the Central and Western District of Hong Kong and consists of 3 parts:...