In October 2017, the URA took control of the Central Market conservation and revitalisation project to prepare for repairs and renovation works. It took the URA over three years to complete the first phase of rehabilitation and preservation works at a cost of more than HK$500 million.

To ensure structural safety, the URA used Fibre-Reinforced Polymer Composites (FRP), a new engineering technology, to strengthen the structure without affecting the outward appearance of the building. 

The interior of the building has also been extensively remodelled. In the 1990s, for example, in order to connect the Central Market Building to the Central-Mid-Levels escalator and walkway system, part of the pedestrian passage on the second floor of the building was converted into a shopping corridor. However, this reconfiguration caused the side of the passage facing the atrium to be enclosed by shops, which affected natural lighting. When the project team restored the structure of the pedestrian passage, they removed the additional retail spaces to expose the original open-column- style structure that is composed of concrete beams and columns. This restored the building’s original architectural style and directs natural light from the periphery and windows facing the atrium wall to reduce the configuration of indoor artificial light sources and achieve energy savings.

Vincent Ng, Senior Director at AGC Design, the project’s lead architectural consultant and conservation consultant, said that the bridge above the atrium was also widened to make it easier for visitors to travel between spaces. In addition to pedestrian passages that are open 24 hours a day, the new Central Market Building provides approximately 1,000 square metres of green space for relaxation.

Central Market was in operation until 2003. By that time, there had been voices calling for a redevelopment of the Central Market site into an office building. There were also opposition voices advocating that it should be preserved. Prof Edward Ng, Yao Ling-Sun Professor of Architecture, School of Architecture at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, is one of those who suggested preserving the building. From the perspective of urban planning, he explained: “We conducted an urban climate analysis on the area, which showed that Central and Sheung Wan, including the current site of Central Market, are worthy of consideration as a buffer to urban heat island effect.” If that was feasible, he argued, the area should avoid increasing development density. Green public recreational spaces would be an ideal option to ensure there are gaps between tall buildings, allowing sea breezes to flow through the city. Prof Ng’s proposal was accepted by the government.