HISTORY | ge2408-wow-central

Situated in central and bordering Sheung Wan of Central Mid-Levels. This site was an extended development district after the occupation of Hong Kong Island by British forces in 1842 and a traditional Chinese residential and commercial district at the northern cast of Hong Kong. After Central–Mid-Levels escalator was opened on 15 October 1994, it has made lots of changes there and SOHO became one of the most famous nightlife tourist spots in Hong Kong.

The existing name SOHO is derived from its location: South of Hollywood Road, and it arguably extends up to and including Robinson Road. This name was firstly mentioned in an 1996 article in the South China Morning Post newspaper attributed to an Elgin Street restaurant owner, Thomas Goetz, who was the instrumental in forming Soho's first business group to collectively promote this area due to difficulties experiencing with the local government departments in relation to licensing.

SOHO was a local business and residential area dating back over 180 years ago. The district was populated by many refugees from Chinese, old go-downs and porcelain shops. So the towns are on the way to becoming agglomerations of poor people. Life was simple and people upheld mutual beliefs that perseverance and persistence were the fundamental elements to have upward mobility and favorable future. And, as you explore the heritage trail surrounded, you will discover stories of early development of Hong Kong and legendary characters at that ages. For example, Kom Tong Hall, identifies the local community’s cultural and social significances of an area and accorded a Grade II historic building status in 1990 by the Antiquities Advisory Board (AAB) and further declared a monument.

Like much of Hong Kong, SOHO treads a precarious balance between preserving the Chinese and colonial culture that shaped it, and recent modern developments. The escalator is a quintessential symbol of modernity which has encroached on the residential neighborhood, bringing with it expats and the bars, cafes and boutiques which help cocoon some from Cantonese traditions. Today, most parts of SOHO are occupied by the exotic restaurants, bars, nightclubs, art galleries and antique stores of Staunton Street and Elgin Street. This place has become one of the famous nightlife spots that recommend by the travel journalists.

In 1993, the Central-Mid-Levels escalator was built and changed the landscape of the district. Prior to the escalator construction, a few foreigners started to move into that area, taking up both commercial premises and renting flats. At the time the flats were cheaper than other expat areas in Hong Kong, and only a few minutes' walk from the business district.

A look at SOHO history could give a strong impression that the change of SOHO has never stopped. As you go there, you will find the how the development transforms an ordinary district into a modern tourist spot.