After three years of construction, the Central Market Conservation and Revitalization Project will open for trial operation tomorrow (23rd).
The Urban Renewal Authority hopes to inherit the historical and cultural characteristics of the Central Market and provide a diversified public space for recreation or performance in a "single place, multiple use" approach.
The Central Market Revitalization and Conservation Project has renovated 13 original market stalls, retaining the traditional design. The related stalls include rice shops, cheongsam shops, dried seafood shops and other merchants.
The URA hopes to bring out the historical and cultural stories and feelings of Hong Kong.
The fourth-generation Central Market was completed in 1939. The Hong Kong Government commissioned the URA for conservation and activation in 2009. The relevant works have been completed. The first phase of trial operation will start tomorrow (23rd), and the second phase is expected to open in the second and third quarters of next year. .
The URA and Chinachem Group, which are in charge of the project, expressed their hope that the Central Market will become a new landmark, forming a triangle of culture and community with nearby historical and cultural attractions such as H18 and Daguan.
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Retain 13 original market stalls and require tenants to present the Hong Kong story
The Central Market Project revitalized 13 original stalls in the market. Only the broken parts were restored and the traditional designs were retained. For example, the water tanks and channels of the seafood stalls, the cutting boards and blood troughs of the poultry stalls, and the shelves of the vegetable stalls were retained.
Six of the restored stalls have been rented out, and tenants include Jinyuan Rice Industry, 1822 (Cheongsam and Long Sweater Shop), Ginkgo Store, Fishermen's Office (Dried Seafood Shop), etc.
The URA requires tenants to tell their own brand story and bring out Hong Kong's historical and cultural sentiments.
The two "chicken stalls" are operated by Jinyuan Rice. The general manager of the company, Qu Jinchang, said that he hopes to show the appearance of Hong Kong's old rice shops in the 1950s and 1960s in the market. Account books, old scales, sack bags, and oil tanks will be displayed. , Delivery bicycles and other grocery items, "I hope that people can understand the historical atmosphere of their parents, and even grandfathers and grandpas, and continue their feelings and humanity."
Jinyuan’s stalls will also introduce rice planting knowledge and the latest developments in seed experiments in Hong Kong.
In response to the principle that the Central Market is not consumer-oriented, Golden Resources Rice chose not to engage in any commercial sales activities.
The URA also leased two "fish stalls", planning to use interactive and VR formats to present the market conditions of the Central Market in the old days.
Ninety percent of the shops are leased to local SMEs to promote local start-ups and brands
Miao Rujing, Project Director of Central Market of Chinachem Group, said that the project design uses the concept of "multiple use in one place" to develop diversified uses in a limited space. And set up projection and sound equipment.
Citizens can enjoy lunch, rest, or enjoy music performances in the space.
After the restoration of the market, a total of more than 100 rental spaces have been leased out.
70 of them will start trial operations tomorrow (23rd).
Ou Qinglin, managing director of Chinachem Group's real estate business, pointed out that 90% of the shops will be leased to local SMEs to promote start-ups and local brands.
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The main stair railing adopts "reversible" design and can be removed if not needed
The conservation plan for the Central Market has been questioned by conservationists who believe that the URA has added black handrails to the main staircase of the Central Market, destroying the original traditional design.
Au Chun-ho explained that the market adopts a reversible design. "If the law does not require handrails in the future, you can walk the drain without destroying it." During the restoration, minimal intervention has been made and the original design has been retained as much as possible.
He also believes that conservation needs to be inclusive at the same time, because the elderly and children may need handrail facilities.
The Central Market has been revitalized. Trial operations will start on the 23rd of this month. Street snacks and cultural and youthful shops will be offered. After the revitalization of the Central Market, the non-governmental leading unnamed store will be stationed. Scholars are happy to see the incarnation of cultural and creative landmarks.
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