45-508: The Government Hill is a hill in Central, Hong Kong , bounded by upper section of Upper Albert Road on the south, Queen's Road Central north, Garden Road east, and Glenealy , west of Hong Kong Island . The hill has been the administrative centre of Hong Kong since the early days of British colonial rule, and has remained so after the transfer of sovereignty . The Government House , residence of chief executive and colonial governor , and
90-466: A diverse mix of apartment buildings and houses, and as a tourist destination, also has hospitals, schools and malls. Many properties are also owned for rental purposes typically occupied by expatriate. The Mount Austin is a complex owned by Nan Fung Group with apartments of sizes ranging from 696 sq.ft. Plantation Road has a property with many purpose-built blocks for rent, temporary staff housing of small units and facilities for staff. Barker Road
135-569: A house at 23 Severn Road called 'Genesis,' which was built in the 1980s by Heung Chi-kau. Another house Wong bought was 10-18 Pollock's Path, known as 'Skyhigh.' Owned by HSBC and lived in by the bank's Chairmen, Skyhigh was sold to Kazuo Wada , the president of Yaohan , for HK$ 85 million in early 1990s. Because Yaohan went bankrupt, Kazuo Wada sold to businessman Wong Yuk Kwan for HK$ 370 million. In 2004, after SARS , actor Stephen Chow bought Skyhigh, and brought in Ryoden Development as
180-527: A house on Barker Road for HK$ 1.5b or HK$ 150,000 per sq.ft. In 2020, developer The Wharf (Holdings) bought a plot at Mansfield Road on the Peak for HK$ 12b or HK$ 46,300 per sq. ft. through government auction. This site is one of the last plots of sites owned by the Hong Kong Government used previously as accommodation for civil servants. In July 2024, the owner of 46 Plantation Road sold four houses with
225-404: A joint venture partner to rebuild the land into four houses. Genesis was sold by creditors in 2001 for HK$ 240m, less than 50% of what Wong Kwan paid. These property transactions at the Peak were desperate sales by cash-strapped businessmen during an economic crisis. Some large houses on The Peak with historic values, including homes of consulates, and government buildings were demolished over
270-509: A summer residence built on the Peak circa 1868. Those that built houses named them whimsically, such as The Eyrie, and the Austin Arms. These original residents reached their homes by sedan chairs , which were carried up and down the steep slope of Victoria Peak. This limited development of the Peak until the opening of the Peak Tram funicular in 1888. The boost to accessibility caused by
315-420: Is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Central, Hong Kong Central (Chinese: 中環), also known as Central District , is the central business district of Hong Kong . It is located in the northeastern corner of the Central and Western District , on the north shore of Hong Kong Island , across Victoria Harbour from Tsim Sha Tsui , the southernmost point of Kowloon Peninsula . The area
360-435: Is a hill on the western half of Hong Kong Island . It is also known as Mount Austin , and locally as The Peak only generally. With an elevation of 552 metres (1,811 ft), it is the tallest hill on Hong Kong Island, and the 29th tallest in the territory of Hong Kong . It is a major tourist attraction offering views of Central , Victoria Harbour , Lamma Island and the surrounding islands. The summit of Victoria Peak
405-582: Is a major transport hub for Hong Kong (see also Transport in Hong Kong ). The film The Dark Knight takes place in part in Central, Hong Kong, specifically at the Mid-Levels escalator , on the top of IFC (International Finance Centre) 2 , and crashing into IFC 1 . 22°16′55″N 114°09′29″E / 22.28194°N 114.15806°E / 22.28194; 114.15806 Victoria Peak Victoria Peak
450-442: Is also known as a residential area consisting of different neighbourhoods. It is one of the most expensive residential areas in Hong Kong and internationally. As early as the 19th century, the Peak attracted prominent European residents because of its panoramic view over the city and its temperate climate compared to the sub-tropical climate in the rest of Hong Kong. The sixth Governor of Hong Kong , Sir Richard MacDonnell had
495-633: Is also located in Central. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority is based in IFC 2 . Chu Kong Passenger Transport is headquartered in the Chu Kong Shipping Tower (珠江船務大廈) in Central. The head office of New World Development is in the New World Tower [ zh ] in Central. HKR International has its head office in Shun Tak Centre . Before 1999, Cathay Pacific had its head office in
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#1732848321331540-525: Is home to a few other key officials in Hong Kong : Victoria Peak is in Primary One Admission (POA) School Net 11. Within the school net are multiple aided schools (operated independently but funded with government money) and the following government schools: Bonham Road Government Primary School and Li Sing Primary School [ zh ] (李陞小學). German Swiss International School maintains
585-530: Is home to many hotels. It provides alternative options for those who do not want to stay in Hotels, but looking for flexible lease terms, below are some examples: Central is in Primary One Admission (POA) School Net 11. Within the school net are multiple aided schools (operated independently but funded with government money) and the following government schools: Bonham Road Government Primary School and Li Sing Primary School [ zh ] (李陞小學). The area
630-423: Is home to many species of birds , most prominently the black kite , and numerous species of butterflies . Wild boar and porcupines are also seen on Peak, along with a variety of snakes. With some seven million visitors every year, the Peak is a major tourist attraction of Hong Kong. It has views of the city and its waterfront. The viewing deck also has coin-operated telescopes that the visitors can use to enjoy
675-399: Is not clearly defined. For district council elections purposes, the area, together with Admiralty, correspond roughly to the " Chung Wan " constituency. The boundaries of such constituencies may be subject to modification. The British landed on Possession Point of Sheung Wan in 1841. They soon decided to build a city on the north coast of Hong Kong Island, and the present-day Central
720-412: Is occupied by a radio telecommunications facility and is closed to the public. The surrounding area of public parks, tourist facilities and high-value residential land is the area that is normally meant by the name The Peak . The Peak also refers to Victoria Peak itself and its nearby areas, including Victoria Gap , Mount Kellett and Mount Gough . Sometimes Bowen Hill may also be included. The Peak
765-399: Is one of the most desirable streets because it is located below the level where harbour views are affected during foggy seasons. In 2010, Lee Shau Kee , Chairman of Henderson Land Development , bought a site at 35 Barker Road for HK$ 1.82b and rebuilt into three houses as his family's dwellings after originally living in a penthouse on Mid-levels. In 2015, Alibaba's founder Jack Ma bought
810-420: Is the annual published figures by the government's rating and valuation department , based on estimated rental values, although such properties are not rented out to third parties. Figures published in 2021 included 35 Barker Road, owned by Lee Shau-kee , to be among the top five most valuable houses. However, 35 Barker Road consists of three houses, and so it should not be compared to other houses. The Peak has
855-808: The Former Central Government Offices (Government Headquarters), occupied large portion of the hill. St. John's Cathedral of the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui , the Anglican Church in Hong Kong, is also on the Government Hill. Adjacent to it is the Court of Final Appeal , inside the Former French Mission Building , with Battery Path leading to Queen's Road Central. Beside the already crowded central business district ,
900-588: The Island line of the MTR metro system was built in the early 1980s, and the connected stations of Pedder and Chater (named after major streets in the area) were renamed as Central . On some older maps, Central and the area to its west are named Kwan Tai Lo ( 羣帶路 ) below Victoria Peak . It formed a channel, Chung Mun ( 中門 ), with Tsim Sha Tsui , on the sea route along the coast of southern China . The eastern part of Central District has been known as Admiralty since
945-553: The Pinewood Battery was completed on the western side of the Peak. Harlech Road was constructed around the Peak as a means of resupply to this artillery and later anti-aircraft battery. During 1904 and 1947, Chinese people were not allowed to live on the Peak according to the Peak District Reservation Ordinance when Hong Kong was a colony. In the 1920s Robert Hotung was the first Chinese person to live on
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#1732848321331990-632: The Swire House in Central. In 1999, the airline relocated its head office to the Hong Kong International Airport . Nord Anglia Education , which operates international schools in various countries, formerly had its head office in Central. The head office moved to Hong Kong in 2012. In 2018 the company announced it was returning its head office to the United Kingdom. Central, together with Tsim Sha Tsui and Tsim Sha Tsui East ,
1035-513: The population of Hong Kong from 5,000 in 1841 to 24,000 in 1848. Government House and other Hong Kong Government buildings were completed during this period on Government Hill . Various barracks , naval bases and the residence of the Commander of British Forces in Hong Kong , Flagstaff House were built on the east end of the district. Between 1860 and 1880 the construction of City Hall , Theatre Royal and other financial structures made Central
1080-519: The 1980s. Only Flagstaff House remains as Museum of Tea Ware in Hong Kong Park . City Hall sat on the present premises of the HSBC Hong Kong headquarters . Hong Kong's first road, Queen's Road (subdivided into Queen's Road East , Central , and West ), passes through the area and the business centre has continued to expand the Hong Kong shoreline into Victoria Harbour. The Hong Kong Garrison
1125-508: The Governor's old summer residence, and is the closest publicly accessible point to the summit. It can be reached from Victoria Gap by walking up Mount Austin Road, a climb of about 150 metres (490 ft). Another popular walk is the level loop along Lugard and Harlech Roads , giving good views of the entire Hong Kong Harbour and Kowloon, as well as Lantau and Lamma Islands, encircling the summit at
1170-498: The MTR Island Line , but is not the only station within the Central and Western District. Other stops include Hong Kong, Admiralty, Sheung Wan and more. The Central area is a loosely defined area within the Central and Western district defined by the presence of major banks, sky scrapers, and multi-modal transportation nodes. Central is located on the north shore of Hong Kong Island , across Victoria Harbour from Tsim Sha Tsui ,
1215-670: The Peak because at the time he was considered mixed-race. Ho Tung Gardens located at 75 Peak Road , was owned by Robert Hotung for decades, until it was sold in 2015 for HK$ 5.1 billion or HK$ 82,258 per sq.ft. Historically, apart from houses owned by the government, banks and corporations and lived on by their officials and chairmen, the Peak also had some multi-block estates, with medium-sized flats used as housing for more junior staff. These are located on less prestigious streets, such as Guildford Road and Mount Kellett Road, which face Southside instead of Victoria Harbour . In November 1996 businessman Wong Yuk Kwan paid HK$ 540 million for
1260-527: The area, and a Canton Bazaar (the precursor of the Central Market ) was built between Cochrane Street and Graham Street in 1842. The area was soon zoned for Westerners only, and Chinese residents were restricted to Sheung Wan. It was zoned for "Western-style buildings," meaning buildings with space requirements and hygiene standards similar to European. The area was largely dominated by the presence of Victoria City. The popularity of this area would also boost
1305-597: The bus station used by the Hong Kong public buses and green minibuses on the Peak. The Peak is also accessible by taxi and private car via the circuitous Peak Road, or by walking up the steep Old Peak Road from near the Zoological Botanical Gardens or the Central Green Trail from Hong Kong Park . The nearest MTR station is Central . Victoria Peak Garden is located on the site of Mountain Lodge ,
1350-583: The centre of trade and financial activities from the earliest days of the British colonial era in 1841, and continues to flourish and serve as the place of administration since the handover to China in 1997. The area of Chung Wan (aka Choong Wan in the past; 中環 ), a direct translation of Central in English, was one of the districts ( 四環九約 ) in Victoria City. The English name Central became prevalent after
1395-617: The cityscape. The number of visitors led to the construction of two major leisure and shopping centres, the Peak Tower and the Peak Galleria , situated adjacent to each other. The Peak Tower incorporates the upper station of the Peak Tram , the funicular railway that brings passengers up from the St. John's Anglican Cathedral in Hong Kong's Central district , whilst the Peak Galleria incorporates
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1440-405: The completion of Admiralty station in the early 1980s. Despite the name Central being synonymous with the Central and Western District, and Central station, there are significant differences. Central and Western is a administrative district with strict boundaries, legislative representation, and elections for its legislators. Central station (more commonly referred to as Central) is a stop along
1485-446: The decades and redeveloped into smaller houses within managed complexes. In 2006, Sun Hung Kai Properties paid HK$ 1.8b, or 42,196 per sq.ft. through a government auction for a plot at 12 Mount Kellett Road, where there were blocks of flats as housing for medium-grade officials. In 2022, a house at the complex 'Twelve Peaks' at 12 Mount Kellett Road was sold by the creditors of HNA Chairman Chen Feng , whose business in mainland China
1530-741: The election of the Chief Executive of Hong Kong , eventually contributing to the Umbrella Revolution . There are many Grade-A commercial buildings in Central , a prime commercial district in Hong Kong. Bank of China (Hong Kong) has its head office in the Bank of China Tower . The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation , a subsidiary of HSBC , has its head office in the HSBC Main Building . Bank of East Asia and Hang Seng Bank have their head offices in Central. Standard Chartered Bank
1575-539: The heart of Hong Kong. In 1904, the Praya Reclamation Scheme added 59 acres (24 ha) of land to Central's waterfront. Many of the proposals came from Sir Paul Chater and James Johnstone Keswick , the founders of Hongkong Land , a modern property development group. During the 1920s, Hong Kong was able to push far ahead economically, because of the cohesive collaboration between Central and all waterfront commerce. The military structures survived until
1620-553: The hill is free from skyscrapers and preserved many century-old trees. Higher up the hill in the south is Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens . In 2011, an application was made to the Town Planning Board to rezone the area as a Historic site, and cap the building heights to the height of the existing buildings. 22°16′44″N 114°09′34″E / 22.27889°N 114.15944°E / 22.27889; 114.15944 This Hong Kong Island location article
1665-593: The level of the Peak Tower. There are several restaurants on Victoria Peak, most of which are located in the two shopping centres. However, the Peak Lookout Restaurant, is housed in an older and more traditional building which was originally a spacious house for engineers working on the Peak Tramway. It was rebuilt in 1901 as a stop area for sedan chairs , but was re-opened as a restaurant in 1947. The Peak
1710-530: The opening of the Peak Tram created demand for residences on the Peak. Between 1904 and 1930, the Peak Reservation Ordinance designated the Peak as an exclusive residential area reserved for non-Chinese. They also reserved the Peak Tram for the use of such passengers during peak periods. The Peak remains an upmarket residential area, although residency today is based on wealth. In 1905, construction of
1755-459: The plot for HK$ 11 billion which represented around HK$ 65,000 per sq.ft. The property faces Victoria Harbour on a long road that has many properties of different types. The price per sq.ft. represents a decrease of around 50% compared to the level in the late-2010s. In August 2024, the same former owner of 46 Plantation Road sold another plot at 99 Peak Road with three houses at HK$ 860 million which represented below HK$ 60,000 per sq.ft. [1] The Peak
1800-483: The southernmost point of Kowloon Peninsula . It is bordered in the west by Sheung Wan , with the border being along Aberdeen Street (also called Wing Kut Street ). It is bordered in the east by Admiralty , an eastern extension of the Central and Western District. As such, Admiralty is sometimes considered a part of Central. Central is bordered in the south by Mid-Levels , an affluent residential area halfway up Victoria Peak . The boundary between Central and Mid-Levels
1845-413: Was bankrupt, for HK$ 390m, or HK$ 91,959 per sq. ft. Chen Feng paid HK$ 506m in 2016 or HK$ 119,323 per sq.ft. Despite record-breaking transactions reported by international news, In fact, The Peak is not the most expensive residential area in Hong Kong. Deep Water Bay and Jardine's Lookout are also one of the most expensive residential areas. A house at 75 Deep Water Bay Road, near Li Ka-shing's home,
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1890-583: Was chosen to house major military facilities and an administrative centre. Part of these military facilities include the Royal Navy port known as Naval Dockyard, and then later Admiralty. Another area to the north of Admiralty would be named Tamar for the HMS Tamar shore station (named for HMS Tamar, a Royal Navy troopship that arrived and was used as a shore base during the second opium war ). The area soon attracted both Westerners and Chinese to trade and live in
1935-724: Was home to the British Forces in Hong Kong , until the handover in 1997 , since then it has been occupied by the People's Liberation Army of China . Central has been the site of a number of major political protests. From October 2011 to September 2012, the Occupy Central movement against global economic inequality was based in front of the HSBC Main Building . Two years later, in September 2014, democratic activists initiated Occupy Central with Love and Peace , demanding universal suffrage for
1980-560: Was sold by Pan Sutong for HK$ 3.3b, or HK$ 240,000 per sq.ft., Cheung Chung-kiu , Chairman of CC Land , purchased 1 Purves Road, Jardine's Lookout for about HK$ 760 million, or around HK$ 100,000 per square foot. In 2018, a site on Perkins Road, Jardine's Lookout, was sold for HK$ 145,000 per sq.ft. Transactions of these two houses that do not face harbour views indicate a few with harbour views in Jardine's Lookout are valued at around HK$ 200,000 per sq.ft. Another benchmark for measuring values
2025-428: Was the heart of Victoria City , although that name is rarely used today. As the central business district of Hong Kong, it is the area where many multinational financial services corporations have their headquarters. Consulates of many countries are also located in this area, as is Government Hill , the site of the government headquarters until 2011. The area, with its proximity to Victoria Harbour, has served as
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