PMQ - POLICE MARRIED QUARTERS

PMQ, located in Soho, is one of the city's finest examples of heritage preservation. The building has had several lives, each reflecting a different era.

A school. Originally, in 1889, the site was occupied by the Central School (Queen's College) campus. This school was the first to offer public Western education in Hong Kong. Its students included influential future Chinese figures such as the famous Dr. Sun Yat-sen, Father of Modern China. Today, remnants of this school can still be seen in the basement, accessible from the main courtyard.

Police accommodation. The site was rebuilt in 1951, after being severely damaged during the Second World War. It then became the Police Married Quarters, housing married police officers and their families. The aim of this project was to provide decent housing to encourage the recruitment of officers. Many of these officers worked in the central police station, now Tai Kwun, another beautifully renovated building.

Take a stroll. PMQ was abandoned in 2000, and in 2009 a major restoration project brought it back to life. Today's architecture retains the form of the post-war buildings, notably the two main blocks, Staunton and Hollywood. On the Hollywood Road side, in the PMQ garden, stands a superb house with balcony that once housed the school for policemen's children. Today, it houses an elegant restaurant, Louise. The large stone wall where the staircase is located has retained the stonework from the school's heyday. Another highlight of the renovated architecture is the planted rooftop, accessible from the^4th floor. It links the two buildings and offers a beautiful view. On the^5th floor, on the Staunton Street side, two rooms are dedicated to an exhibition retracing the life of the building in the days of the Central School and police housing.

Today, PMQ is a vibrant creative hub, home to local designer boutiques, art galleries, restaurants and cafés. It regularly hosts exhibitions, markets and cultural events.

Guided tours. Simply book online to enjoy a tour in English and discover the rich anecdotes associated with this iconic location (1h, free).

There's no doubt that today, PMQ is one of the neighborhood's must-see places, both for its building and for its activities. Not to be missed!