Shipping Containers Turn into a Shopping Mall
Hong Kong is the world’s leading cargo transshipment hub, handling around 18.0 million TEUs of containers in 2021. It provides an extensive network of connections to over 500 container ports worldwide. And in such a busy port country, when creativity meets a good cause, ‘out of the box’ thinking happens - literally!
Built entirely from the old shipping containers, the ‘Lai Kok Shopping Centre’ was one of its kind revamp project undertaken by People’s Place in 2019. It was team's first fully revitalized project. The project cost more than 100 million yuan.
In the Sham Shui Po district of Hong Kong, The old Lai Kok shopping centre stood for over four decades, built-in 1977. People’s Place collaborated with a local artist to create a series of murals, presenting the stories of Sham Shui Po and Lai Kok Estate.
Cross-generation Community Hub
The shopping mall retained small shops and introduced a new snack street, start-ups, art education institutions, and many social welfare organizations. It is the first estate shopping mall in Hong Kong to set up a one-stop shopping and saving mobile app. It provides diverse and high-quality shopping, leisure, and dining options for all age groups, becoming a cross-generation community hub.
If you want to explore the local side of Hong Kong, don’t forget to experience the uniqueness of this shopping centre, as there is something for everyone here.
Here is a short video of our walk through this unique shipping container shopping centre.
Here is a quick glimpse of the place and the creative art around it.
Lion Dance and Lion Head Lorry mural
Lion Dance and Lion Head Lorry
Those living in Hong Kong or outside in places like UK, USA, Canada etc.. around the Chinese new year you must have witnessed the Lion dance. In this 3D effect mural, if you look closely you will notice two different images of lion dance and a lion head lorry.
To showcase what Sham Shui Po neighbourhood stands for, this mural blends naturally. In the 1950s and '60s Sham Shui Po district was known as the ‘heart’ of the manufacturing and textile industry in Hong Kong. Even now you will find some ready-to-wear, fabrics and accessories stores in this area. There are a lot of lorries and trucks, during the weekdays buzzing on the streets of Sham Shui Po. The front of these lorries looks like a giant head of the lion (used during lion dance), hence the name ‘Lion Head Lorry’.
Sham Shui Po Street names
Sham Shui Po Street names
In this colourful and vibrant mural, the artist blends the Chinese characters, and calligraphy (familiar street names) with the things one can find in Sham Shui Po. It’s like going on a treasure hunt.
If you want to go on an art treasure hunt and discover the stories behind them, check out our blog on finding art in unexpected places - Shutter Art in Sham Shui Po.
Lai Kok/ 麗閣
Lai Kok / 麗閣
If you look closely, this 3D effect mural is showing “Lai Kok” in English and Chinese characters both. Hint - red text shows the English characters.
A combination of 2 languages and it’s characters, shows the revitalisation spirit of this Lai Kok Shopping Centre. The artist has tried to keep its original characteristics intact and transformed it into a modern hangout place.
Sparrow on the Bauhinia / 洋紫荊上的麻雀
Sparrow and Bauhinia
Right outside the Lai Kok Shopping centre, is a mural showing Hong Kong’s most seen bird, the Sparrow, and the city flower ‘Pink Bauhinia’. The artist has used the fire hydrant to the best of its ability, that looks like a branch of a tree where the sparrow is resting.
Food options
There is a street food market here and if you There are ample food options here. We’ve listed some of the restaurants and cafes you will find in this area.
1) What's Cafe
Shop G28, G/F, Lai Kok Shopping Centre, 12 Tonkin Street, Cheung Sha Wan
2) Hey Thaimate
Shop G29, G/F, Lai Kok Shopping Centre, 12 Tonkin Street, Cheung Sha Wan
Shop G30, G/F, Lai Kok Shopping Centre, 12 Tonkin Street, Cheung Sha Wan
4) MOS Burger
Shop G31, G/F, Lai Kok Shopping Centre, 12 Tonkin Street, Cheung Sha Wan
Shop 17-19, G/F, Lai Kok Shopping Centre, Lai Kok Estate, 12 Tonkin St., Cheung Sha Wan
Getting Here
From Cheung Sha Wan MTR take exit A1
You will find the Lion Lorry art right in front of you and behind this wall is the shopping centre and open area
Reference
Reference -
Photo Gallery
