Bang goes the neighbourhood! Residents worry as Wan Chai gets trendy makeover
The makeover of western Wan Chai's diverse enclaves is bringing worries as well as new opportunities, writes Charley Lanyon
Wan Chai once conjured up images of Suzie Wong, rowdy sailors on shore leave and pickled drinkers in dingy bars.
Over the past dozen years that vision has been steadily superseded by the rise of concept restaurants and hip cocktail hangouts such as those around Star Street, although old hands might balk at the notion of those trendy enclaves being part of Wan Chai. "That's not Wan Chai," scoffs one regular, "That's Admiralty East."
His reference to Wan Chai's slicker neighbour points to a series of major new properties that sprouted up at the western end of the district, including Three Pacific Place in 2004. Repurposed sites such as The Pawn bar and restaurant, which occupies a three-storey historic building, along with the chic new eateries that opened around Ship Street have attracted growing numbers of young professionals and business people to Wan Chai.
These old communities are very rare ... They're not being protected
Adjacent developments such as the Generali Tower and 28 Hennessy Road (both built by Swire) strengthened the trend, significantly altering the demographics of the neighbourhood.
Yenn Wong, owner of the JIA Group, was a key figure in turning Ship Street into the destination it is today. Her decision to open the popular 22 Ships restaurant and, more recently, its buzzing sister outlet, Ham & Sherry, solidified that aura: Wan Chai was hot.