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ROBINSON ROAD, the main Mid-Levels thoroughfare, is a major hub of residential activity. Starting from the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens at its eastern end and finishing near Hong Kong University, the road is one of Hong Kong's oldest.

Named after Sir Hercules Robinson, a 19th century governor of little repute, the road has long been a favoured haunt of middle-class expatriates and Chinese alike.

The road's greatest advantage is undoubtedly the convenience it offers residents.

Situated overlooking Central, on the northern incline of Victoria Peak, Robinson Road is particularly useful for the hordes of commuters that descend upon Central every day.

A journalist who lives on the road commented upon the excellent location it offers.

'It's convenient and it's well served by bus-routes.'

The opening of the Shelley Street escalator in 1993 can either be viewed as a godsend or a calamity, depending on your point of view.

For some it offered unparalleled ease in travelling between the Mid-Levels and Central, but for others it intruded on any seclusion that Robinson Road laid claim to.

Whatever your opinion, there can be no denying the impact the escalator had on the area. Development began anew and glitzy projects such as Robinson Place soon took their place on the road.

Today, Robinson Road is a pleasant mix of old Chinese buildings and newer upmarket developments.

Reflecting the history of the area, most of the flats in the older buildings are owned by Chinese families who have inhabited the area for a number of years.

Another feature of the road is the difference in character between the eastern and western ends.

The greener, more relaxed west end appears fairly distinct from the hurried and cramped east section, around the escalator.

'I much prefer the western end as it's much more leafy and green,' said the journalist. 'I would avoid the areas around the escalator as they seem very claustrophobic.'

For some people, however, those comments about claustrophobia would ring true for the whole road, not just one portion. The journalist acknowledged that Robinson Road is 'insanely crowded', but few places this close to Central are not.

Furthermore, while the higher, more reserved Mid-Levels roads such as Conduit Road and Tregunter Path may be more peaceful, they lack convenience and shopping, for which Robinson Road is relatively well served.

The Wellcome at the junction of Robinson and Seymour Roads is not the world's largest and some prefer using the ParknShop on Caine Road.

The area below Robinson Road, however, is a veritable feast of small shops engaged in a variety of trades.

From ironmongers to carpenters, many of these shops are a throwback to a different era, and provide a necessary counterpoint to the increasing homogenisation of shopping.

There has been a substantial decrease in prices since 1998.

A three-bedroom property at one of the swankier developments, such as Robinson Heights or the Grand Panorama, will cost around HK$4-5 million, compared to the HK$6-7 million price tags common before the recession.

Better deals are available in the older buildings.

A two-bedroom 800 square foot property in a pre-war building is on the market for HK$2.5 million.

While the older buildings may not have the facilities on offer at the newer developments, they do offer high ceilings, possibly a private roof and a greater sense of character.

If it is facilities you want, then the high-rises are for you. Robinson Place is perhaps the highest of the highbrow destinations. Boasting a concierge counter, swimming pool and fitness centre, prices at this address matches its opulence.

The average going price is HK$6,500 per sq ft for a three bedroom 1,200 sq ft apartment complete with sea views.

Rental prices are similarly varied. Leases at HK$10,000 to HK$15,000 a month are common among older Chinese buildings, while the plusher flats start at HK$20,000.

Estate agents are dotted along Robinson Road as the area is extremely popular with flat hunters.

For an area so popular with executives, it is little surprise that there are numerous nightlife destinations in the vicinity of Robinson Road.

The myriad delights of wining and dining in the SoHo area are a short stroll away. In case even that is too far, Robinson Road has two well known nightspots.

The first is the Bruce Lee Cafe, run by an actor who worked with the late, legendary kung-fu star. The other is Brown, a jazz bar that serves delectable food.

The nearest hospitals to Robinson Road are the privately run Canossa hospital and the Government Tung Wah Hospital. There are also a number of schools nearby.

Raimondi College is on Robinson Road, while Kennedy Road junior school is within walking distance. All of the big international island schools, furthermore, send school buses to the area.

Transportation links are excellent. Large buses serve routes from Mid-Levels to Causeway Bay, North Point, Wah Fu and Admiralty.

Minibuses, meanwhile, use Caine Road as the main route to Pokfulam and Aberdeen.

For nature lovers, The Peak is nearby, but can only be accessed via a rather tortuous route.

Lung Fu Shan is a better bet, and from there hikers can travel all the way round to Aberdeen reservoir and Wong Nei Chung Gap.

Next week: Mei Foo

Graphic: pro04gwz



With the advent of the escalator, providing a connection to Central, Robinson Road has become very popular with the city's salarymen