Hong Kong CPS… Part III

I just came across these renderings of the CPS, which provide another peak at what we can expect once the scaffolding is removed next Summer.  I like how the old and new structures work together.  I'm really looking forward to this new element to be added to life in Hong Kong!

For information look here and here.

Happy Thanksgiving from Hong Kong!

To my family and friends near and far, 
I am thankful for having you in my life.

Here's to another gifted year filled 
with good health, security and prosperity, 

and above all, more time together!

Have a great Thanksgiving.

(Don't forget to set your scales back 10 pounds tonight.)

Hong Kong's Former Police Married Quarters

The site of the former Police Married Quarters holds quite a bit of history for Hong Kong.  In fact, if not for that history the PMQ wouldn’t still be standing today.  Like the old Central Police Station Compound project, I am thrilled the city is finally doing something with the PMQ.  There are so many great buildings in Hong Kong that need help, and because the city hasn't shown interest until recent years, makes these projects and other like, very significant toward preserving the city's rich past.

Back in 1889, on the exact same location as the Police Married Quarters, once stood the Central School (1889-1941).  And before that, stood the Shing Wong Temple (1843-1877).  The Central School (later renamed as Queen’s College), was the first school in Hong Kong to provide upper primary and secondary Western education to the public.   As for the Shing Wong Temple, the Chinese population of Hong Kong regarded the temple as their town hall, if you will, as it represented the community’s first building project in Hong Kong.

Shortly after the Japanese invaded Hong Kong, during the Second World War (1941), the Queen’s College was severely damaged and had to be demolished in 1948, making way for the Police Married Quarters, which was built in 1951 and used until 2000. 

 

After several years of the quarters setting vacant, the city finally took action by rezoning the site for commercial and residential use, in attempt to sell the property in 2004.  As a result of concerned neighbors and historic activist, the city was pressured to take the property off the market and conduct research determining if the site had any historic relics dating back to the school and/or temple.  After the researcher's excavation was complete, uncovering portions of the original foundation of the school, the city started making plans to repurpose the site, persevering a small part of Hong Kong history. 

Along with the old Central Police Station compound (just a few blocks down Hollywood Road), the Police Married Quarters is also undergoing a major revitalization that will soon offer the residence of Hong Kong their only creative community hub, where local artist can create, exhibit, and educate.  The restored site will also offer an underground museum, which will showcase the foundation of the city’s first school and other historic relics found during the excavation.   

After more than 170 years, the old Shing Wong Temple building site will soon again become a forum for residence to congregate and socialize, much like, well... a town hall.

Here are a few images of the Central School (built in 1889), which was renamed Queen's College in 1890. 

View from Hollywood Road (lower north end of property)

View from Staunton Road (upper south end of property)

These pictures show the condition of the PMQ as it sat vacant for over a decade (2000-2013).

Portions of the original stone walls once surrounding the Queen's College,
still remain standing today.

What was once this....

Will soon be this...

I took these pictures last month showing some of the progress.

Although not very efficient (and like most all things Hong Kong, a little stuck in the past...), local contractors still prefer to use bamboo scaffolding tied with zip-ties.

And once complete... 

Interesting Facts:

• Property dateline- 
• 1843-1877 Shing Wong Temple
• 1889-1941 Queen's College
• 1951-2000 Police Married Quarters
• 2014-Present PMQ Art Hub
• Other important dates-
• 1841-1997 Hong Kong was a British Colony
• 1941-1945 Japan occupied Hong Kong during WWII
• The PMQ were living quarters provided by the city for married police offers to share with their families.
• Donald Tsang (a Knighted Commander by the British Empire in 1997, and later served as the Chief Executive of Hong Kong from 2005-2012) grew up in flat #414.
• Hong Kong's population in 1941 was 1.6 million
• Hong Kong's population in 1945 was less than 750,000

Rise and Shine

Morning commute.

Smile.  Happy Friday.

Home is where the Dim Sum is

"We shape our dwellings, and afterwards, our dwellings shape us."  Winston Churchill

I love that quote.  Whether you're consciously aware of it or not, our daily environment effects our every thought and action.  Subconsciously we are aware, I guarantee this is true.

The term Dim Sum typically refers to an assortment of steamed food served in steamer baskets and shared by friends.  However, it also means piece of my heart.  So, the title to this post couldn't be more appropriate, for Hong Kong definitely holds a piece of my heart.

I love the idea of making a place the best it can be... not the most expensive, or the most over-the-top designed, or even the most trendy (definitely not trendy)... just a home that lifts ones spirits after a long day, a reflection of the individuals that live there and above all, works with their lifestyle.  I'm not a brand snob, (although I do like nice things... sometimes really nice things) but I do love the process of pulling things together... worrying about all the details and the big picture... making a house flat a home.    

I have lived in many transitional spaces over the years.  In the states I loved home remodeling, which means I've spent more years with saw dusted floors than I'd like to admit.  With the help of HGTV, The Home Depot, a can of paint and US$20,000., I could accomplish pretty much anything. LOL!  I have built cabinets, installed french doors and windows, replaced flooring... you name it, I've done it!  Remodels are hard work, no matter how you get it accomplished, but the anticipation of furnishing and decorating once completed, always kept me motivated.  I love home design and home products.

Even though I will soon be moving, I wanted to share a few pictures and great finds from my current home.  I moved from Causeway Bay to Mid-Levels last winter and was thrilled to finally have a place that could accommodate larger pieces of furniture.  I wanted to create a home that would lift my spirits after a long day (Although Lily and Grayson do a pretty good job with their over the top greetings).  It needed to reflect my interests, where I'm from, souvenirs of my travels and filled (minimally) with objects that inspire to live the good life.  In other words, I wanted my home to be my favorite place in the city, not a bar in Soho or a coffee shop in Sheung Wan.  

After arriving in Hong Kong with little more than the clothes on my back, I felt it was time to do something different, create a new look; a new stamp.  I also had to accept that the limitless options this American was spoiled with, do not exist in Hong Kong.  So, I either had to embrace my limited local options or have items imported.  I did a little of both.  Right before moving to Hong Kong, I took full advantage of a friend's employee discount at Pottery Barn and Williams Sonoma, which contributed to me arriving at Hong Kong's International Airport with the maximum checked bags/boxes allowed!  After the first few months in Hong Kong, I discovered many great local shops like Magic Pantry and The Panhandler, but I always found it easier and less expensive to buy online from the states.  

As for furnishings, this was hard.  Shipping a sofa from North Carolina was not an option, at least not after seeing the shipping quote.  So local it was!  I can safely say I have spent my far share of time at Horizon Plaza. I remember thinking on my first visit how awful the options were, but after countless visits I was able to uncover some amazing items. For my friends back home, Horizon Plaza is an old warehouse building on the south-side of the island in Aberdeen and is surrounded by absolutely nothing. Nothing!  Every one of the 28 floors that make up HP are now filled with home furnishing stores with the exception of one cupcake shop (which I take full credit for their record breaking sales last year!), a pet store and a gourmet food store. 

I have to admit, starting over in life at my age has had it's challenges, but it has also been extremely rewarding.  I'm proud of my home.  It was hard work with lots of taxi rides to Aberdeen, ferries to Macau, trains to China and several mad dashes home to meet Fedex, but I'm thrilled with the end product.  It's funny, for years I traveled to Hong Kong and China to find products for other people, but finding products for myself proved to be the hardest sourcing project ever. 

Enough with the words, here are a few pictures of my current home.  

MY FAVORITE HONG KONG HOME STORES!

DeeM- Debra Little, founder and owner of DeeM, has all the makings of being my best friend.  I've never met her, but I'm seriously crushing.  DeeM has an ever changing eclectic collection of old and new home furnishings, rugs, art and tabletop that makes my heart sing. 

DeeM  |   252 Hollywood Road  |   Sheung Wan  |   Hong Kong

OVO HOME- In my opinion, OVO Home is the only true complete home furnishing retailer in Hong Kong.  Each location is well merchandised while paying special attention to the customer's shopping experience.  They group categories together allowing the customer to easily compare all options without running all of the showroom.   Lamps, dining chairs, rugs, pillows, ottomans, and decorative accessaries are all grouped in a gallery format.  In a city filled with sales people in every corner, OVO still makes you feel at ease.   The only downfall, you may never want to leave the store!

OVO Home  |  16 Queen's Road  |  Wan Chai  |  Hong Kong

Home Essentials- Not only does Home Essentials offer over 8,000 square feet of everything you need to furnish your entire home (including a great assortment of Michael Aram... love it!), they also have the best candle selection in the city.  The entire ground floor is devoted to candles!  I don't know about you, but I avoid sales people at all costs, but not here.  With their friendly smiles and trays of fresh baked cookies, I actually seek them out!

Home Essentials  |  33 Lyndhurst Terrace  |  Noho  |  Hong Kong

Indigo Living- If your looking for basic essentials, this place has you covered.   Indigo Living has the best selection of quality bedding, accent pillows and throws, basic all white dishes (the only color to have!), glassware and barware (including brands like Jonathan Adler).  It's not cheap and I assure you buying online from a US retailer will be more affordable, but there's something to say about walking into a local shop and buying something off the shelf.  On the flip side, their furniture is well priced for what you get.  

Indigo Living  |  Landmark Prince's  |  10 Chater Road  |  Central  |  Hong Kong

Lane Crawford Home-  I love everything about Lane Crawford, except the fact they don't carry my shoe size in a department that rivals any Nordstrom's ... ugh!  But that's okay, because the home store fits me perfectly!  What I like most is Lane Crawford keeps the home decor pot all stirred up on this tiny island.  They're always my first stop for anything.  I spent months trying to find a coffee maker with a thermos craft and they were the first to offer one by an international name brand.  In fact, they have your kitchen needs covered, but I'll admit it comes at a price.  When I was looking everywhere for cloth napkins last Thanksgiving, I finally found them at LC.  They also have some of the finest quality furniture in the city.  Anytime I have to go to Pacific Place, I make sure I have enough time to walk through their store.   

Lane Crawford  |  88 Queensway  |  Pacific Place  |  Admiralty  |  Hong Kong

The Red Cups Have Arrived!

This morning I entered a festively merchandised Starbucks, complete with this year's arrival of the RED CUP!!   It's now official, the holidays are here!!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Man Made Disaster Hits Star Ferry!

This morning something horrible happened on the Star Ferry.  

I can't imagine anything worse.  

Seriously!

As I entered the ferry on my way to work this morning, I looked up and saw this sign.  Naturally, I made a little u-turn and headed to the other end.  You see, during the summer months only one end of the ferry will have air conditioning (AKA Ken's section).  But to my surprise, today this little red hateful sign was posted on BOTH ends of the ferry!!  I just stood there (feet spread apart so I wouldn't fall over) in complete dismay and shock.  

After several minutes, one of the Star Ferry's attendants walked by and grunted "Qwengq Qwengq Zuuuoooeeeee!!", which made me feel I should take a seat.  

So sad.

Sad, sad, sad, sad day on the ferry.