Hong Kong

Photographer's Note

This photo was taken yesterday in the Wan Chai district of Hong Kong Island.

The Urban Renewal Authority has recently returned this old building to its former glory.

The first shop on the left is The Woo Cheong Pawn Shop.

Vic Tokarski's 2004 photo shows the building before the renewal - and how the owners had boarded up the balconies.

On the Google map satellite image, the skyscraper on the right is still covered in 'green construction netting'.

When they covered this old building in green netting, I was worried that they were going to tear it down. Thankfully they have decided to preserve it.

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On the Government web site, the URA describes this building as "a row of four buildings including the Woo Cheong Pawn Shop in Wanchai and featuring the Guangzhou building style, ... which was of a classic architectural style of the 1960's in Hong Kong."

The URA has come up with new concepts of '4R's' (Redevelopment, Rehabilitation, Revitalisation and
Preservation) for urban renewal and revitalization projects. They hope to improve and revive the socio-economic and environmental fabric of areas to preserve collective memories of the past.

robertosalguero, Photo65Net has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

jmdaoudal (82) 2007-06-10 1:41

Angle gives a funny effect with the very vertical double decks' and the building.. I like the opposition of architecture in the photo. This is from a good quality and very interesting by the note.
TFS
Jean Michel

robertosalguero (292) 2007-06-10 1:51

Andrew this picture is very nice, clear and sharp. The daily scene you show us here is typical of many cities, however the elements and the Chinese symbols make it more unique to HK. Good perspectuive of this street and the events happening there. Nice work Andrew.

Roberto

carper (96) 2007-06-10 2:25

well Andrew still in Hong kong
I remember you from your good hongkong shot the big city with a tugboat or jonk in front. this is the inner city, I like the lines and details in it and you made a good quality shot, well done my friend.
have a nice day.
groet Jaap

Photo65Net (43144) 2007-06-10 5:16

Andrew,
Always nioce to see such contrasts between new and older architecture styles.
I like a lot how you framed it, with moving elements in front of static buildings.
Regards,
JB.

calexica (1247) 2007-06-11 15:07

Hey Andrew,
Very interesting shot. I like how the picture shows the side-by-side existence of different architectural styles. Great colors and sharpness as well. TFS
Greetings,
Natasha