40-452: World-Wide House is an office building in Central , Hong Kong . It is located between Connaught Road Central , Pedder Street and Des Voeux Road Central . The site is situated on land reclaimed at the turn of the 20th century. WWH was constructed on a 23,000-square-foot (2,100 m) site vacated by the former General Post Office , which was located there from 1911 to 1976. The GPO
80-757: A 32-storey single tower office-cum-commercial building. The arcade is connected to adjacent properties by the Central Elevated Walkway . World-Wide Plaza is the shopping centre on 3 levels on the lower floors of Worldwide House. It is built in an " atrium " style, but without skylight. Its first level is accessible from the Central Elevated Walkway or by escalator from the ground floor of the building. The kiosks or shop units are typically from around 10 square metres, and are rented out to small traders, who sell telecommunications and banking services, to food, and magazines. The arcade
120-496: 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 , 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
160-436: 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 is not clearly defined. For district council elections purposes, the area, together with Admiralty, correspond roughly to
200-757: 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 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
240-630: Is one of ten lines of the MTR , the mass transit system in Hong Kong. It runs from Kennedy Town in the Western district to Chai Wan in the Eastern District on Hong Kong Island , passing through the territory's major business districts of Central , Wan Chai and Causeway Bay , and connecting them with built-up areas on the north shore of the island. The line is coloured dark blue on
280-445: Is popular with the large Filipino population , particularly on Sundays, as many of the shops are run by their compatriots. The wide assortment of typically small shops caters to their needs, selling merchandise from their homeland. 22°16′57″N 114°9′28.44″E / 22.28250°N 114.1579000°E / 22.28250; 114.1579000 Central, Hong Kong Central (Chinese: 中環), also known as Central District ,
320-404: 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 was the heart of Victoria City , although that name is rarely used today. As the central business district of Hong Kong, it
360-500: 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 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
400-724: 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 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
440-602: The West Island line . Construction commenced on the Island line's western extension to Kennedy Town in 2009 and on 28 December 2014, the extension opened to passenger services, providing direct heavy rail connection to the western district of Hong Kong Island for the first time. New intermediate stations at Sai Ying Pun and the University of Hong Kong also opened as part of the extension; however, construction delayed
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#1732793535986480-538: 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 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
520-644: The Government would award subsidies towards the project. No sooner, in May 2002, the first proposal from the MTRC detailed a western extension of the existing Island line towards Kennedy Town. However the plan was abruptly brought to a halt due to land reclamation obstacles on the western coast of Hong Kong Island , and the enormous cost and uncertainties concerning the Hong Kong Government's subsidies for
560-465: The MTR map. The line first opened on 31 May 1985. As of 2022 it travels 16.3 kilometres (10.1 mi) in 25 minutes along its route, serving 17 stations. The line is indicated in dark blue colour on the MTR route map. The origins of the proposal for the line originated in the 1967 and 1970 studies, which originally planned to run from Kennedy Town to Chai Wan, but the route between Sheung Wan and Kennedy
600-631: The area and the business centre has continued to expand the Hong Kong shoreline into Victoria Harbour. The Hong Kong Garrison 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
640-409: 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 the completion of Admiralty station in the early 1980s. Despite
680-672: The company announced it was returning its head office to the United Kingdom. Central, together with Tsim Sha Tsui and Tsim Sha Tsui East , 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
720-600: The cut-and-cover method. Because most stations were built under roads, most of the platforms are curved, resulting in large platform gaps . The few stations where the platforms are otherwise relatively straight are those on the West Island line as well as North Point , Quarry Bay, Tai Koo, Heng Fa Chuen and Chai Wan. Also, due to geographical constraints, the platforms of Wan Chai , Causeway Bay , Tin Hau and Sai Wan Ho are located on two different levels. This also separates
760-474: The first refusal on the site, paid the Hong Kong Government approximately HK$ 212 million in cash for the rights for the site. The Government ended up receiving some $ 8,700 per square foot instead of its initial asking price of $ 10,000. Cheung Kong , the enterprise founded by Li Ka-shing , obtained the right for the development of the above-ground structure. With a plot ratio of 15:1, CKH built
800-666: The following government schools: Bonham Road Government Primary School and Li Sing Primary School [ zh ] (李陞小學). The area 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 Island line (MTR) The Island line ( Chinese : 港島綫 )
840-669: 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 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
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#1732793535986880-414: The line emerges to the surface at Heng Fa Chuen , and then on a viaduct , which runs alongside Shing Tai Road, and which passes over Chai Wan Park and Island Eastern Corridor above ground, all the way to Chai Wan . The route of the original underground section of the line is also served by Hong Kong Tramways at surface level (the West Island line extension follows its own routing further inland from
920-658: The lines. In a response to the resulting congestion, the government recommended the Quarry Bay Congestion Relief Works project, and decided to expand North Point station to include a second interchange with the Kwun Tong line, with construction starting in July 1998. The North Point interchange opened on 27 September 2001, and proved to be a much more efficient method of interchanging, as the new station featured cross-platform interchange, reducing
960-572: 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 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
1000-536: 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 the area, and a Canton Bazaar (the precursor of the Central Market ) was built between Cochrane Street and Graham Street in 1842. The area
1040-530: The opening of Sai Ying Pun station to 29 March 2015. The Island line resembles the deep-level lines of the London Underground , as most of the route and stations along the line are deep underground and consist of cylindrical tunnels. This is the result of a lack of available land, as the construction plans for the line required it to be built under major roads. Only the segment of the line east of Shau Kei Wan has space for track expansion and thus
1080-608: 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 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
1120-516: The platform and concourse into two parts, so there are some passageways and long escalators on those stations to link between the platform and concourse. All Island line stations except Heng Fa Chuen and Chai Wan have their Chinese station names written in Chinese calligraphy as part of the stations' livery. A retired architect, Abe Au Kit-tong, involved in the design of the Island line explained that calligraphy are written in large fonts to alleviate
1160-658: The project. However, the current plan for the new lines to the Southern District would require parts of the Western extension in order for it to be completed. As a result, the MTR Corporation was conducting extensive surveys as well as public forums to gather opinion and suggestions concerning the alignment of the extension and location of the Sai Ying Pun , Shek Tong Tsui and Kennedy Town stations for
1200-487: The psychological effect caused by the narrow platforms and the curvature of the walls, in addition to remind passengers what this stop is. This explains why Heng Fa Chuen and Chai Wan stations do not have calligraphy forming part of its livery, as they are built above ground rather than underground. This feature is also shared amongst some newer MTR stations such as those on the Tseung Kwan O line and Lam Tin station on
1240-580: 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 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 ,
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1280-414: The route's cylindrical tunnels, only with a greater diameter . Of the underground stations not bearing this feature, Tai Koo station is itself a large tube containing both the concourse and the platform, Sai Ying Pun station and HKU station consists of station boxes that are themselves, also tube-like though flatter, while Shau Kei Wan, Admiralty , Central and Kennedy Town stations are built using
1320-453: The time required to interchange from five minutes at Quarry Bay station to less than one minute. On 4 August 2002, both these stations became interchange stations with the new Tseung Kwan O line which had taken over the harbour crossing section from the Kwun Tong line. In 2002, the MTRC announced that it would use HK$ 300 million to construct the West and South Island lines, provided that
1360-400: The tramway). This brought concerns that the tram system might be abolished when the MTR line was to be built, but a decision to save the tramline was made in 1980; and it serves as a backup in the event of service breakdown and a cheaper alternative for shorter journeys. Because of the depth of the line, most underground stations on this line have curved walls on the platforms, which are due to
1400-642: 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 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
1440-624: Was held at Tai Koo station and was officiated by then-MTR chairman Sir Wilfrid Newton and Governor of Hong Kong Sir Edward Youde , who unveiled the commemorative plaques at the station concourse. On 23 May 1986, the Island line was extended to Central and Sheung Wan stations. Both Admiralty and Central stations became interchange stations with the Tsuen Wan ;line (which was the Modified Initial System until 26 April 1982). As part of this extension, each train
1480-544: Was lengthened to eight cars. After the Kwun Tong ;line was extended to Quarry Bay station through the Eastern Harbour Crossing on 1 October 1989, that station became an interchange station with the Island line, but unlike that at Admiralty, there is no cross-platform arrangement requiring passengers to use two escalators and a long passageway in between to change between the platforms of
1520-488: Was omitted when the proposal was finalized during the construction. The Hong Kong Government authorised the construction of the 13.1-kilometre-long (8.1 mi) Island line in December 1980, after rejecting plans to extend the tram eastwards to Chai Wan. On 31 May 1985 the Island line opened with services operating between Admiralty and Chai Wan stations with trains in six-car configuration. The opening ceremony
1560-597: Was relocated to Connaught Place for the construction of the Pedder station (later renamed to Central ) of MTR . Below the building is the interchange of Hong Kong station and Central station of MTR. In the early 1970s, there were proposals for the site to be swapped for the Alexandra House plot, to create more open space in Central, and be pedestrianised. The proposals were defeated mainly due to financial considerations. MTR Corporation , which had been given
1600-550: 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 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
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