Western Market, Hong Kong

The Western Market is a former wet market occupying a four-storey red brick Edwardian building dating from 1906 and located in an entire block at the Sheung Wan, the western end of Central, Hong Kong Island..

The Western Market is one of the oldest buildings in Hong Kong. It is the oldest standing market building in the territory. The former South Block was demolished to make way for the Sheung Wan complex. The market buildong was renovated and reopened in 1991 as a shopping centre featuring small shops, souvenir stands and curio sellers.

Architecturally, the four-storey building is in Edwardian style that was popular in England from 1901 to 1918. The brickwork on the 4 corner towers is "bandaged", giving a polychromatic effect.

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 (North).

Ground-floor shops sell unique merchandise rather than chain store goods, while the first floor recreates the old ‘Cloth Alley', selling silks and fabrics of all kinds. There is also a dim sum restaurant and a fine antique-shop café.

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. 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.

Address:

Western Market
Connaught Road
Tel: 2543 6878. Fax: 2543 6931.

Transport: MTR Sheung Wan, exit B or C; bus or tram along Des Voeux Road to Sheung Wan.

Opening hours: Daily 1000-1900.

Admission: Free.

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