Chinanews.com, Hong Kong, August 29 (Reporter Zhang Xiaoxi) In the prosperous area of ​​Hong Kong's Central, the Central Market, which has undergone several years of conservation and revitalization, has recently opened trial operations, attracting a large number of Hong Kong people, including office workers in nearby office buildings.

The retro architectural style, innovative operating concepts, and local brands that are friendly to the people and distinctive, come to the Central Market, where time seems to intersect, and you can get a glimpse of the past and present of Hong Kong.

The interior of Central Market.

Central Market Social Platform Picture 

　　The Central Market is located between Des Voeux Road Central and Queen's Road Central, Queen Victoria Street and Jubilee Street in Central, Hong Kong. The overall structure is symmetrical and is hidden among the surrounding high-rise buildings.

The logo design with white characters on a red background, coupled with the glowing red lights at the door of the room, revitalizes the reopened Central Market, lingering in a festive atmosphere.

　　When a reporter from Chinanews.com came to the Central Market at noon, they found that many of the tourists who came were office workers nearby.

Drink a cup of coffee, buy some accessories, and take some photos. The Central Market is like an "urban oasis", providing a place for busy people to relax.

Project map of the Central Market after activation.

Photo by Hong Kong Urban Renewal Authority

　　Among tourists, there are also "Old Hong Kong" with a relatively young age. They may sit down and drink a glass of local brand beer or buy some "old age" delicacies.

The gray-haired Mr. He told reporters that the market in Central has undergone many changes, and he has been blurred before, "but I think it's doing a good job now," he said.

　　Ms. Wei, who chose cheongsam in the clothing and food section, said that the revitalized Central Market is now reopened to give people a chance to take a look at the old Hong Kong. This innovative transformation is also a new attempt.

In the Central Market, you can see the nearby Hong Kong Hang Seng Bank Headquarters Building and the International Finance Centre shopping mall.

Photo by Zhang Xiaoxi

　　As a conservation and revitalization project under the Hong Kong Urban Renewal Authority, the Urban Renewal Authority and the commercial organization Chinachem Group hope to build the revitalized Central Market into a building, culture, art, exhibition, and a combination of lifestyle industry and creative design. Community shared space.

They invited many local brands and start-up companies to settle in, hoping to help young people.

　　Ms. Liu, who sells accessories on the third floor of the Central Market, told reporters that the Central Market is located in a prosperous area. When invited, she did not hesitate to open a shop.

"The trial industry is open these days, and the flow of people is very good, because the publicity is also very good, and it is also the only way for office workers and shopping people. We are very happy to be here." She said.

At noon on August 25, Hong Kong citizens came to the Central Market to visit, spend and relax.

Photo by Zhang Xiaoxi

　　Ms. Liu also said that from the invitation to the preparation, the Central Market has provided great convenience for the merchants. The market’s facilities are complete, and you can “set in easily” without too complicated preparations. Merchants will operate here for about two years.

　　In Hong Kong, a market generally refers to a market where goods can be bought and sold. Many markets have grown up with the development of the city of Hong Kong, and the Central Market is one of them.

　　According to reports, on June 10, 1842, the first generation of the Central Market was officially completed. The address is located on the south side of the current site. It is called the "Guangdong Market" and is contracted and operated by a Chinese named "A Huan".

In 1850, as more and more Chinese came to Hong Kong, the second generation of Central Market emerged. The address was also moved from the "Guangdong Market" to the current location, and the name was officially changed to Central Market. It was completed and used in 1858. .

The former Central Market.

Central Market Social Platform Picture 

　　In 1895, the Central Market was built as a marble building with three floors. It became the third generation of the Central Market until it was demolished in 1937.

In 1938, the Central Market was rebuilt again and opened in 1939. It became the fourth generation, which is now the Central Market, with the Bauhaus style of architecture.

　　The preservation and revitalization of historical buildings has also been a topic of great concern to Hong Kong society in the past 20 years.

Since the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government launched the first phase of the "Revitalizing Historic Buildings Partnership Project" in 2008, Hong Kong has had nearly 30 "revitalized" projects, including the former North Kowloon Magistracy, the Old Tai O Police Station, Mei Ho House, and the former Lai Chi Kok Hospitals, etc. are already in service.

　　Through "revitalization", Hong Kong has not only realized the preservation of cultural relics, but also rejuvenated historical buildings and brought out economic, social and educational values.

The Central Market is also expected to become a successful example of revitalization.

　　Regarding the "reopening" of the Central Market, the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Carrie Lam also expressed concern.

She posted on social platforms that during the conservation process of the Central Market, the Urban Renewal Authority especially retained some of the original architectural features, including the wide grand staircase.

She visited the Central Market before it opened to cheer for the merchants who were preparing to open at the time, and thanked the Urban Renewal Authority and operating agencies for their efforts.

　　Carrie Lam revealed that only the first phase of the Central Market is now open. The Urban Renewal Authority will speed up the implementation of the second phase of the restoration project, which is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2022. As one of the projects that promoted the "Conservation of Central" when she was the Director of the Development Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, she hoped that the Central Market could add much-needed rest space and green environment to the downtown area of ​​Central, so that the office workers in Central would have a fashionable place to relax. (over)