The Central Market, which has a history of more than 80 years, wandering between the revitalization of controversy and expectations, will debut with a new look as soon as next month.
In an interview with "Hong Kong 01", Li Haoran, a former member of the Ancient Consultative Council and associate professor of architectural conservation at the University of Hong Kong, said that after the revitalization of the Central Market, the main cultural and creative art route was introduced, and many local shops and start-ups were also introduced. I believe it is not purely commercial considerations. Under the major premise, being able to cater for the needs of the community has a lot to do in the future.
He also believes that the social value created by the people from the bottom up, which brings together public sentiments and intentions, finally succeeded in getting rid of the old activation model and rejecting the entry of international famous stores. Bringing groundbreaking significance, it also has the opportunity to reconnect the Central Market and the community. "If many people like it, the new Central Market can build collective feelings and even collective memories."
▼The past and present of Central Market▼
The Central Market has a history of more than one hundred years. The fourth-generation Central Market Building was completed in 1939 and was closed in 2003. It is a third-class historical building.
It stands in the core area of Hong Kong’s financial sector. Its fate has been foggy. The former Chief Executive Donald Tsang proposed to revitalize it in 2009. However, there have been many changes during the period. The original design was accused of being expensive and bottlenecked. It was finally overturned and revised to simplify Version of the revitalization plan, abandoning the concept of "floating oasis" with a rooftop garden.
Having been vacant for more than ten years, the Central Market has finally come to life. Some voices questioned the past years. Li Haoran explained that there is no need to ask for quickness in conservation. "If you are slow, you can settle down. If you are too eager, you will return and turn around."
Social value can be added or subtracted
What is the price of conservation?
Li Haoran, who has served as an expert consultant for many revitalization projects in Hong Kong, pointed out that to measure the significance of old buildings, one can start with history, architecture and social value.
The three indicators are closely intertwined. Historical and architectural values have long been "fixed" and set by authorities or experts. However, social values are not static, and even "can be added or subtracted" are determined by the collective intentions of the general public. Its status can even surpass the historical and architectural value."
The revitalization project of the Central Market is entering the final stage. After the revitalization, it will be transformed into a cultural, creative and artistic landmark.
(Photo by Lu Yiming)
The Central Market Building was completed in 1939 and was closed in 2003. It is a third-class historical building.
The picture shows the old Central Market in 1991.
(Provided by Hong Kong History Expert Zheng Baohong)
The revitalization of the Central Market has gone from a prototype to its present day. Li Haoran, who has witnessed the evolution over the years, looks back at the beginning and still marvels at the openness of the public consultation. "It's almost unexpected. Don't choose ABCD meals than you." White-collar workers, residents, shoppers Both foreign domestic helpers and domestic helpers can participate in the discussion, and even "talk about things". As a result, the local small shops in the neighborhood are well-received, and the international brands chain stores respectfully accompany the last table.
At that time, there were also people who advocated "restore the basic steps" and renovate into a new market. Li Haoran firmly "closed the gate", "it doesn't work, it is an outdated method to be a market." Moreover, the open-air Graham Street market is not there. In the distance, "it will only kill the channel." The social forces gathered by the public have successfully controlled the direction of the revitalization of the Central Market, which comforted this conservation expert. "Always before (speaking about conservation) there are so few people. Understand social values.”
Li Haoran said that to measure the meaning of old buildings, one can start with history, architecture and social values.
He believes that the revitalization of the Central Market can balance the needs of multiple parties.
(Photo by Lu Yiming)
Looking at the world, examples of successful revitalization are close at hand. Li Haoran mentioned that neighboring Taiwan has reshaped the increasingly abandoned sugar factory into a cultural landscape and recruited young artists to settle in the cultural and creative parks. Without rent pressure, they will shine.
"If rents can be regulated, shops will naturally be diversified."
The level of rent determines the layout of tenants
Li Haoran does not deny that the higher the level of hiring and the lower will dominate the layout of the tenants, but success or failure is something to follow. Hong Kong also has a PMQ, known as the new landmark of the creative center, and small art shops have settled down one after another.
However, Li Haoran believes that although there are incentives for low rents, lack of "software" is its failure. Artists and designers have unlimited creativity, but they often lack business methods and fail to keep up with the market.
He can learn from the past. He is pleased to learn that the Central Market Project is based on non-pure commercial considerations. "The rent is not at least the level of the Central Lot." The main focus is on local brands, small green stores and start-ups, and business knowledge training will also be provided to tenants.
According to official information, the Central Market Revitalization Project will provide a total floor area of approximately 12,000 square meters, providing popular cultural and retail facilities, including approximately 1,000 square meters of public green space. The concept of "for All" was unveiled.
This year, the May Art Festival in France kicked off. For the first time, it cooperated with Chinachem Group and selected the Central Market for the opening ceremony.
(Photo by Lai Jiajun/Profile Picture)
The Central Market is about to open and will be operated by Chinachem Group.
(Photo by Lu Yiming)
In addition to the diversification of merchants, Li Haoran believes that local priority is also very important. "Take care of your own people first, and there is no conflict with attracting tourists." He took Kyoto, Japan, etc. as an example. Conservation and community life are not incompatible with each other, and even coexist in harmony. "Naturally attract cultural tourists."
He also said that the HKTB has gone in the wrong direction. In the past years, it has been trying to sell Hong Kong as a "shopping paradise", but it has not been able to break through, and it is also outdated. "The era of the high-end consumer market has passed." Li Haoran continued, Lufa In recent years, the bureau has changed its strategy and turned to promote the "big city community" to search for tunnel trails, and lead tourists to "won't weed', but is it too late?
"If you want to, don't be afraid of late."
Rejuvenation and conservation seek change, but it is also inseparable from the preservation of the essence of the original design of the building.
Li Huoran said that the traditional preservation is to preserve the original flavor, or to "museumize" the building, but he believes that as much as it is retained, it can evolve over time. "You don't have to protect everything," but the purpose is to respect. For old buildings, antiques are also abruptly avoided. "No good girl is bigger than the owner." The ideal is to blend the old and the new to show the original appearance of the building without losing its newness.
The downtown buildings in Central are known for their Bauhaus style, but Li Haoran puts forward another opinion, saying that the original design is in the Streamline Moderne style, and the facades of the buildings in Des Voeux Road after the revitalization are closer.
The long terrazzo staircase is a classic landmark in the Central Market, and it remains after the revitalization.
(Photo by Lu Yiming)
Under the lens of the late photographer Fan He, there are many black-and-white light and shadows taken from the long terrazzo stairs, recreating the life of the last century.
The new design also keeps the key points, but the inner cage was exposed earlier. The metal handrails installed on both sides of the stairs caused public opinion. Li Haoran explained the painting on his behalf. The old market was designed in the 1930s, and the functional requirements are no longer commensurate with today's standards. Architects have always put safety first and cannot relax at will. "It is difficult to fasten it in the original without losing its original appearance." He also mentioned that the handrails are not inlaid and can be restored at any time. "The design is like the spirit of the old times. Compromise must be a bad thing."
+3
The opening of the Central Market has entered a countdown stage. Chinachem Group has signed an operating contract with the URA for a period of 10 years.
Looking to the future, he has high hopes and depends on the good fortune of social values. "If many people like it, the new Central Market can build up collective feelings, even collective memories." He said he has become a member of the HKBU School of Chinese Medicine. Take Lei Shengchun as an example. Due to the large number of elderly people nearby, the medical services and community needs coincide with each other. "There were a lot of rumors (before the activation), and there were ghosts and ghosts, but Yijia will definitely not demolish. The implication is that the revitalization of the Central Market will not fail?
"So optimistic (not sure)," Li Haoran replied confidently. He also said that no one knows the future, but he believes that the role of the Central Market is like a "pioneering bull".
Chinachem Central Market held a job fair to invite 500 graduates to send over a hundred application letters in half a year, but they all failed. The French May Arts Festival was unveiled. The first batch of arts and cultural activities after the activation of Central Market was open to the public. The French May Site Selection of Central Market Law Consul: Cultural Heritage is important Only in the past can we move forward with a 10-year operating contract for the Central Market. Awarded to Chinachem Group to begin the first phase of operation in the third quarter of this year. The Central Market has been demolished last month to reproduce the "Shanghai approved" craftsmanship. Most of the facilities will be opened to the URA next year to 2021. Some facilities in the Central Market will be opened within the year. The revitalization of some facilities in the Central Market will be completed within the term of the government. Wei Zhicheng opposes the demolition of the Central Market, saying that conservation is the "mainstream opinion". Big triangle
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