Peel Street, Hong Kong

History

The road was built in the 1840, at the start of the colonial era, and named for British prime minister Sir Robert Peel. Initially settled by Westerners, Chinese took over the area in the 1870s, and the expatriates had all but gravitated towards Conduit Road in the Mid-Levels by about the 1950s. Frew McMillan, Alex (26 June 2011) "Street talk: Peel Street". Post Magazine (South China Morning Post)

Wai Siu-pak, founder of Yee Tin Tong pharmacy, once lived in Wise Mansion, a large house at the top of Peel Street next to Robinson Road. The section of Peel Street between Hollywood Road and Staunton Street was known for its calligraphers specialised in making signboards in the 1950s and 1960s. The part below Hollywood Road was well known for its Indian curry restaurants. However, expensive rents have driven these trades out of the area, which is now populated by modern tower blocks. The century-old Graham Street market is situated at the lower reaches of Peel Street.

Features

Peel Street is a small street starting from the Queen's Road Central and reaches upwards into the Mid-Levels. At the lower end, there is a fresh food market. At the upper end, there are many eateries, both traditional and trendy. There was also the Ho Hei Kee Umbrella (), run by Ho Hung-hei, which had attracted the attention of many mass media. Ho died in 2015 after closing his shop in 2014.

There is a shrine dedicated to Pak Kung () in Peel Street, just below the junction with Staunton Street.

Redevelopment plan

Urban Renewal Authority declared Peel Street/Graham Street redevelopment project. As the project is located at the historical Central street market, it aroused much attention on the conservation of culture.

Gallery

Image:PeelStreet.jpg|View of Peel Street, from the junction of Peel Street/Mosque Junction image:Peel_Street1.jpg|The roadsign of Peel Street image:Peel_Street2.jpg|Mr. Ho at work image:Peel_Street3.jpg|Mr. Ho and his Guinness World Record certificate. He was honoured for making the most expensive umbrella (£167) in the world

References

References

1. (2009). "Signs of a Colonial Era". [[Hong Kong University Press]].
2. "Ho Hung-hei, ‘King of Umbrella’, dies at 87".
3. (1987). "Notes on Temples and Shrines, Hong Kong Island". [[Royal Asiatic Society Hong Kong Branch]].
4. "Press information : URA Peel Street/Graham Street redevelopment project". Urban Renewal Authority.
5. [http://www.ura.org.hk/html/c800000e34e.html Peel Street / Graham Street Project] {{Webarchive. link. (24 March 2010 Urban Renewal Authority)
6. [http://hk-magazine.com/feature/marked-death "Marked for Death"]{{Dead link. (October 2025)
7. [http://hk-magazine.com/feature/market-raiders "Market Raiders"] {{Webarchive. link. (5 January 2010 . ''HK magazine''. 14 September 2007)
8. [http://hk-magazine.com/feature/market-values "Market Values"] {{Webarchive. link. (5 January 2010 . ''HK magazine''. 1 February 2008)