The street features with multi-storey buildings mixing use of commercial and residential,officially known as composite buildings,typical in urban area of Hong Kong.[15][16]
Yau Ma Tei station,joint station of Kwun Tong line and Tsuen Wan line of MTR,laying under Nathan Road,spans to the underground here with two exits,A1 and A2 on the street.[17][11] The ventilation shaft of the station behind Exit A1,with its practical appearance,was the landmark of the street facing Nathan Road. While no bus stop for franchised bus services stands on the street,there are several bus stops bearing its name Pitt Street near its junctions on other streets and roads,including nine platforms of Kowloon Motor Bus on Nathan Road,serving tens of bus routes to major destinations all over Hong Kong.
The street forms junctions with multiple streets,from west to east,Ferry Street,Tak Cheong Street,Tung On Street,Canton Road,Reclamation Street,Shanghai Street,Portland Street,Nathan Road,Tung Fong Street,and Waterloo Road. Historically,Shanghai Street was formerly known as Station Street (North/South) and Nathan Road as Coronation Road.[18] There used to be a junction with Kwong Wah Street,which was removed during the reconstruction of Kwong Wah Hospital around 1958.[19] The street,at the east end,extends beyond Waterloo Road to Chun Yi Lane,but the dual carriageway of Waterloo Road blocks the direct traffic between the street and the lane.
The latest reconstruction of Kwong Wah Hospital relocated Emergency Department,together with its entrance,from Waterloo Road to Pitt Street in 2023.[6][7][8][9] All emergency traffic was re-routed through the street.
History
Kowloon Peninsula. Map of Convention of Peking.
Great Britain took Kowloon Peninsula from China in 1860 under Convention of Peking. The development started from Tsim Sha Tsui,nearest location to the City of Victoria of Hong Kong Island and extended northward,Kwun Chung,Yau Ma Tei,Mong Kok Tsui,Mong Kok,and Tai Kok Tsui. Before the urban planning of Kowloon,Mong Kok Tsui became a rural settlement outside the urban Kowloon,increasingly populated,as illustrated in the map of Water Supply Kowloon Peninsula Central Plan.[23] British secured New Territories from China with Convention for the Extension of Hong Kong Territory in 1898. With vast new land north of the peninsula,this fuelled the development of Kowloon.
Reclamation and development of Yau Ma Tei,Mong Kok Tsui and Mong Kok
In 19th century,the reclamation and development north of Yaumati Police Station was centred with the extension of Station Street,which later renamed to Shanghai Street.
By 1901,Kowloon map illustrated the street,as yet unnamed,branched east and west from Station Street.[24] This location was considered situating in Mong Kok Tsui for exact and Yau Ma Tei,formerly written as Yaumati,for large area in this period.
In 1913 report,a gas lamp was erected near a steam laundry.[26] In 1927 report,a sugar factory was built on Kowloon Marine Lot 48 and a knitting factory on 50.[27]
Yaumati Disinfecting Station
Following the 1894 Hong Kong plague,there were several outbreak of bubonic plague. Disinfecting stations were constructed to fight against the disease by disinfecting houses and clothes,with inspectors stationed.[28]
The Public Works began to build Yaumati Disinfecting Station with quarters for inspector on Pitt Street,which remained unnamed,in 1904 and completed it in 1905,handing over to Sanitary Board in April.[29]
In 1912 report,the Public Works laid a 9" earthenware pipe sewer in Pitt Street and Waterloo Road from opposite the Yaumati Disinfecting Station to take the drainage from the new Sanitary Department Stables.[30]
Kwong Wah Hospital,Tung Wah Group of Hospitals,Lo Yu Chik Primary School and Tung Wah Museum
Old Hall of Kwong Wah HospitalKwong Wah Hospital after reconstruction 2023Sign of Kwong Wah Hospital,1959
By the time of extension to the New Territories in 1898,there was no hospital for Chinese. Kai Ho proposed a hospital in Kowloon. In response to the proposal,the government offered the location of Yaumati Disinfecting Station and provided initial funds for five years in 1907. The Governor Sir Frederick Lugard,opened the hospital on 9 October 1911,reported in The China Mail.[31][32][33]
In 1915,there was budget to improve Pitt Street opposite to Kwong Wah Hospital.[34] In 1925 report,the street extended west to the Kwong Wah Hospital on Kowloon Inland Lot 1213.[35] In 1926,New block of Kwong Wah Hospital was built on Kowloon Inland Lot 1213 on the street. In 1958,there was a reconstruction of the hospital and a nurse school,moving the hospital eastward by the side of Waterloo Road,demolishing a section of Kwong Wah Street,and rebuilding the hospital with a high rise building. This resulted in a free land,on the west boundary,of 99 000 square feet of land,returned to the government.[19] The government in return gave it to Tung Wah Group of Hospital to build a school,namely Lo Yu Chik Primary School.[20] The lane beside the school is a busy shortcut from Pitt Street to Dundas Street.
Another reconstruction of Kwong Wah Hospital relocated Emergency Department,together with its entrance,from Waterloo Road to Pitt Street in 2023.[6][7][8][9]
Tung Wah Museum is the original hall of Tung Wah Hospital in 1911. It serves as a museum with records of Tung Wah Group of Hospitals.[36]
In 1924,Peter Tsui Yan Sau initially set up Wah Yan College,Kowloon,a Catholic secondary school,on 70 Portland Street at the junction with Pitt Street. The school was later moved Nelson Street and finally settled at current premises on 56 Waterloo Road.[41][42]
Chinese YMCA,YMCA International House,The Cityview and YMCA College of Careers
Full view of Chinese YMCA on Pitt Street during reconstruction of Kwong Wah Hospital
Chinese YMCA,formerly written as Chinese Y.M.C.A.,initially serving mainly the Island side of Hong Kong. In 1928 the association began to build a hostel and hall on Kowloon Inland Lot 1483,on Waterloo Road and Pitt Street,and the construction was completed in 1929.[43][44] The Kowloon Branch began services in Kowloon side. In 1966,the headquarters moved into here and new building was erected,with a programme centre,a gymnasium and YMCA International House.[45] The building was expanded in 1993. The international house was a hostel,which rebranded to The Cityview,a 4-star hotel.[46] A continuous education centre was established and later became YMCA College of Careers,a registered school.[47]
Waterloo Road view of Chinese YMCA
Entrance of Kowloon Centre
Kowloon Telephone Exchange,Bell House,London Restaurant,Mk1 Super Digital Mall and MediLink Square
London Restaurant,a large Chinese restaurant,occupying a few floors,opened in 1960s. It soon became a major restaurant in Yau Ma Tei/Mong Kok,having branches in Mong Kok and Hung Hom. The restaurant closed after 27 years in 2005,with 200 workers losing their jobs,and only the Mong Kok one remains open.[50][51][52] The Mong Kok restaurant became a tourist hotspot.[53][54][55]
In 1920s,Tak Yu Restaurant,one of oldest restaurants in Hong Kong,was built at 372-378A Shanghai Street,at the southeast corner of the junction with Pitt Street. In 1967,the restaurant was rebuilt as a high-rise Tak Yue Mansion,with the restaurant continuing its operation on lower floors.[60] In 2012,the restaurant ceased to operate and the whole building was sold in 2019 and later the premises of the restaurant turning into a care home.[61][62][63][64]
Tak Yu Mansion
Interior of Tak Yu Restaurant,Ground Floor
Tung Nam Seafood Restaurant,Tung Nam Commercial Centre and Tung Nam Lou Art Hotel
In 1950,Tung Nam Seafood Restaurant was established,providing traditional Cantonese cuisine. In 1994,the restaurant was rebuilt as Tung Nam Commercial Centre,a twenty-three storey office building. In 2019,the buildings become Tung Nam Lou Art Hotel,featuring with art and culture.[65][66]
Kam Wah Theatre and Kam Wah Building
Kam Wah Building
In 1954,Kam Wah Theatre,a theatre-cinema with 2180 seats,commenced at southwest corner of the junction with Canton Road on 21 December,which operated till 21 September 1970. The theatre,of modern appearance with green and buff in colour,was designed by Iu Tak Lam.[67] The area around theatre used to be very crowd with stalls of Dai pai dong next to it.[68] The building was demolished and replaced with Kam Wah Building.[69]
Another view of Kam Wah Building
Front door to the building
Street market
Street market
The street used to be a street market and stalls occupied sides of the street. Only a few remains because the government discourage it.[70] The market had a lot of Dai pai dong around Kam Wa Theatre.[68]
Street market
1967 Riots and bombs
1967 Riots of Hong Kong was territory-wide and prolonged. Chinese communists in Hong Kong,encouraged by Cultural Revolution and 12-3 incident,fought against British colonial rule with homemade bombs,real or fake. On 6 September 1967,a pretentious couple intended to install a bomb on the street. Although they acted intimately,walked arm in arm,carried a paper bag,their nervous betrayed them,inviting a Chinese police inspector's suspicion. A squad of policemen followed the couple secretly,caught them and seized the bomb at the junction with Shanghai Street. Despite detonated by a bomb disposal officer,the bomb was powerful enough to break six panes of glass of a herbal tea shop. The story was reported by Wah Kiu Yat Po,and communist newspaper Ta Kung Pao,and pro-nationalist newspaper Kung Sheung Daily News.[71][72][73]
Report by Wah Kiu Yat Po
Report by Ta Kung Pao
Report by Kung Sheung Daily News
Fire of Po Cheung Building
On 6 March 2021,a serious fire in Po Cheung Building,at the corner of Pitt Street and Reclamation Street,killed one man and hurt thirteen people,including a fireman. The fire began with a flat partitioned into seven dwellings with wooden broads. Residents escaped to the roof or dangerously climbed out of windows. Fire Services Department deployed 102 people and 17 fire engines to rescue. Its officers suspected that it was an arson,with sign of inflammable substance.[74][75][76][77][78][79][80] District councillors urged a review of fire regulations on old buildings due to frequent serious fires at that time.[81][82][83][84]
COVID-19 pandemic
People wore face mask on Pitt Street
During COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 to 2023,there was a territory-wide panic,together with stringent regulations and enforcement. The street suffered from quarantine several times. Residents did allow to leave their home,in some periods,the area. Some shoppers on the street fled at once when heard of the quarantine news. The government would trace residents in the unresponsive residences.[85][86][87][88]
Events
Murder of night watch worker
On 19 February 1930,a worker of firewood company was murdered and robbed at 9 Pitt Street,company's warehouse for storing wood,on the ground floor in the night. In the morning next day,the murder was discovered as the backdoor on the back street was broken. It was estimated thirteen Hong Kong dollars was lost.[89]
Murder of coal boat worker
On 3 July 1933,a worker of coal boat was murdered on a back street of Pitt Street,close to praya. The victim's head was damaged by an axe.[90][91][92][93]
Fire of oil shop
On 30 September 1939,an oil shop at 13 Pitt Street was burn down. A 3-year-old boy was killed in the fire. The damage cost one thousand Hong Kong dollar.[94][95]
Murder of woman
On 11 November 1946,a woman living on second floor of 45 Pitt Street was robbed and murdered by several robbers. She was strangled to death.[96]
Armed robbery
On 11 January 1950,six robbers robbed a shop with pistols at 48 Pitt Street. Robbed properties of gold and cash,were worth three hundred and sixty Hong Kong dollars at that time. The owner with police recognised one robber on Woosung Street and the police arrested the robber on 13 January. Later,other robbers are arrested on fourth floor,16 Tung Choi Street.[97][98] Six men and one woman were sentenced.[99][100]
Transportation
Road
One way only
Most part of the street allows motor vehicles. Except on the west side of Nathan Road,MTR ventilation shaft and exit occupied part of the street. This section between Nathan Road and Portland Street is a cul-de-sac.[101]
On the east side of Shanghai Street,a barrier was erected to reduce traffic in this section of street,where a small street market with several stalls on the street. This section between Shanghai Street and Reclamation Street is a cul-de-sac.[102]
On the east side of Nathan Road,half of street is for MTR exit and a small section of the street is narrowed.[70]
To improve the traffic in the area,all sections of the street,expect two cul-de-sac,are one-way traffic,moving from west to east.
The government designates parking spaces along the street,including some for the disabled.[103][104]
Busy tunnel of Yau Ma Tei station Exit A,with green light box indicating Pitt Street.
MTR provides services to the area around the street by Yau Ma Tei station,with two direct lines,Kwun Tong Line,from Whampoa station to Yau Tong station,and Tsuen Wan Line,from Tsuen Wan station to Central station. The station has two exits on the street. Exit A1 is on the section between Nathan Road and Portland Street. Exit A2 is one the section between Nathan Road and Tong Fong Street.[11][17] Both exits were not an accessible,non-barrier free exit,providing only staircases. Although Exit A2 is the nearest exit to Kwong Wah Hospital,people on wheelchairs or carrying baby with pushchairs must go to the lift at Exit Lift on Waterloo Road to reach the ground,and cross several the roads.[105]Yau Tsim Mong District Council had proposed the a subway to link Yau Ma Tei station and Kwong Wah hospital,the Highways Department considered the proposal infeasible as it required reconstruction of the ventilation duct of tunnel and station,and closure of Exit A2 and two lanes of Nathan Road for more than two years.[106]
Destinations of Exit A1 and A2 were posted on a wall inside tunnel of the station
Exit A1 on Pitt Street,west bound
Exit A2 on Pitt Street,east bound
Bus
Franchised
One of Pitt Street Yau Ma Tei bus stops
Franchised bus services in this area is provided by Kowloon Motor Bus and Citybus. No bus route through this street but some bus stops are close to the street,and some of them even named after the street.
On Waterloo Road,north of street junction has Kwong Wah Hospital bus stop,and south YMCA bus stop.[18]
On Nathan Road,there are many bus stops either named Pitt Street or Pitt Street Yau Ma Tei,placed both north and south of the street,both north-bound and south bound of Nathan Road. Numerous bus routes have a stop here,serving major destinations all over Hong Kong.[18]
On Shanghai Street,south of street junction has Pitt Street bus stop.[18]
Commuters queueing at Pitt Street bus stop
North-bound platform N47,one of Pitt Street bus stops
North-bound platform N48,one of Pitt Street bus stops
There is a bus stop for cross-border bus services near Pitt Street on Shanghai Street,[110][111]
Cross-border bus stop,Pitt Street stop (label in Chinese 碧街站)
Cross-border bus
Business
Hotel
There are two hotels on the street,The Cityview,and Tung Nam Lou Art Hotel.
The Cityview on the premises of Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong,formerly YMCA International House. After renovation in 2008,the hostel transformed to a 4-star hotel and rebranded as The Cityview.[46]
Tung Nam Lou Art Hotel,situated at the junction of Pitt Street and Portland Street,was established in 2019,featuring with art and culture.[65]
The CityView
Tung Nam Lou Art Hotel
Cuisine
There are wide range of cuisine on the street,mostly indigenous food of Hong Kong,such as Cha chaan teng,Chinese restaurant,dim sum shop,fish ball shop,herbal tea shop,deep fried food shop,Cantonese cake shop and noodle shop.
Noodle shop in the morning
Small restaurant. Dai Pai Dong style.
Bakery
Hong Kong style cake shop
Cha chaan teng
Fish ball
Deep fried foods
Dim sum shop
Herbal tea shop
Education
YMCA College of Careers
YMCA College Of Careers
YMCA College of Careers,located on the section between Waterloo Road and Tung Fong Street,is an education institute set up by Chinese YMCA and is in the headquarters of Chinese YMCA. Originally it was a continuous education centre. In 1995,the centre became a registered school and renamed YMCA College of Careers.[47] It provides various programmes of certificates and higher certificates on different subjects.
Another view on Pitt Street
Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Lo Yu Chik Primary School
TWGHs Lo Yu Chik Primary School
Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Lo Yu Chik Primary School,on the section between Kwong Wah Hospital and the back lane on the west,is a primary school adjacent to Kwong Wah Hospital.[21] The school,organised by Tung Wah Group of Hospitals,was built on the land formerly part of the hospital when the hospital was reconstructed in 1958.[19][20]
The school building is a multi-storey building,occupying east,north and west side,with open area facing Pitt Street.
View from Pitt Street,with three linked blocks of multi-storey buildings
Tung Wah Museum, at the centre of Kwong Wah Hospital, is a museum of traditional Chinese architecture of 1911. It was the main hall of original Kwong Wah Hospital serving as waiting hall for patients. In 1931, the hospital, together with Tung Wah Hospital and Tung Wah Eastern Hospital, formed Tung Wah Group of Hospitals. This hall survived during reconstruction of the hospital in 1958. The group converted it into museum and named Tung Wah Museum in 1970, in the centenary of the group, counting from the establishment of Tung Wah Hospital of 1870. The museum has collections of antique and records. It was declared a monument in 2010.[112][36]
In's Point
In's Point, on the left
In's Point, or In's Point Shopping Arcade, is a three-storey shopping centre above ground floor, south of Pitt Street, on east side of Nathan Road, formerly Chung Kiu Chinese Products Emporium. Inside, it divided into many small units, featuring with toy stores, especially LEGO minifigures,[113] also vintagecollectibles.[114] The shopping centre turns active around six to seven o'clock in the evening when the business owners come after office. In evening the neon light turns on, resemble to old days of Hong Kong.[115] Its whole top floor is occupied by Ho Choi Seafood Restaurant, a Cantonese restaurant.[116]
Old neon signs
Old neon signs
In day time
In's at the busy junction of Nathan Road and Waterloo Road
Ward Memorial Methodist Church and Yang Memorial Methodist Social Service
Church and Social Service
Ward Memorial Methodist Church, opposite to Pitt Street on Waterloo Road and Chun Yi Lane, is a Methodist church established in 1954, with church building completed in 1967. This church became a member of The Methodist Church, Hong Kong when British Methodist missionary and American Methodist missionary in Hong Kong merged into one Methodist church in 1975.[117] It also hosts Yang Memorial Methodist Social Service, the church's organisation offering social service to public, established in 1967.[118]
Kowloon is an urban area in Hong Kong comprising the Kowloon Peninsula and New Kowloon. It has a population of 2,019,533 and a population density of 43,033/km2 (111,450/sq mi) in 2006. It is one of the three areas of Hong Kong, along with Hong Kong Island and the New Territories. It is the smallest, second most populous and most densely populated of the divisions.
Mong Kok is an area in Kowloon, Hong Kong. The Prince Edward subarea occupies the northern part of Mong Kok.
Yau Ma Tei is an area in the Yau Tsim Mong District in the south of the Kowloon Peninsula in Hong Kong.
Yau Ma Tei, formerly named Waterloo after Waterloo Road, is an MTR station located in Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon. It lays straightly like a long box under thoroughfare Nathan Road, ending north under Pitt Street and south near Man Ming Lane. It is served by the Kwun Tong line and the Tsuen Wan line. The station opened on 22 December 1979 and was renamed as Yau Ma Tei on 31 May 1985 along with Argyle and Chater (Central).
The Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, with a history dating back to 1870, is the oldest and largest charitable organisation in Hong Kong. It provides extensive education and community services through 194 service centres spread across Hong Kong.
Nathan Road is the main thoroughfare in Kowloon, Hong Kong, aligned south–north from Tsim Sha Tsui to Sham Shui Po. It is lined with shops and restaurants and throngs with visitors, and was known in the post–World War II years as the Golden Mile, a name that is now rarely used. It starts on the southern part of Kowloon at its junction with Salisbury Road, a few metres north of Victoria Harbour, and ends at its intersection with Boundary Street in the north. Portions of the Kwun Tong and Tsuen Wan lines run underneath Nathan Road. The total length of Nathan Road is about 3.6 km (2.2 mi).
Argyle Street is a four-lane dual-way thoroughfare in Kowloon, Hong Kong, connecting the districts of Mong Kok, Ho Man Tin, Ma Tau Wai and Kowloon City. It runs on an east-west alignment starting at its intersection with Cherry Street, Ferry Street and Tong Mi Road in the west, and ending near the former Kai Tak Airport in the east. Due to the street's proximity with the latter, a variety of aircraft could be seen from this street and thus photographers seized the opportunity to capture landing aircraft.
King's Park is an area in Yau Tsim Mong District in Kowloon, Hong Kong.
Kwong Wah Hospital is a 1,141-bed Charitable hospital in Yau Ma Tei, Hong Kong. Located on 25 Waterloo Road, Kwong Wah Hospital is the main district general hospital was founded by the Tung Wah Group in 1911, and managed by the Hospital Authority since 1991. It provides a full range of medical services to the population of West Kowloon and Wong Tai Sin. It is Kowloon Central Cluster's major acute teaching hospital, and also a Neurosurgical and Antenatal Diagnosis referral centre. The Hospital has established various clinical centers, including Lai Kwok Wing Urology Centre, Minimally Invasive Surgery Training Centre and Chan Feng Men Ling Cardiac Centre. There are integrated Breast Centre and Dr Stephen Chow Chun-kay Assisted Reproduction Centre. It has established a Community Based Geriatric Service, Respiratory Care Unit, Acute Stroke Unit, TWGHs BOCHK Diabetes Centre, Wong Wha San Renal Memorial Centre, and a Nuclear Medicine site. Kwong Wah Hospital is also a pioneer in Integrative Chinese and Western Medicine. TWGHs has established TWGHs Wilson T S Wang Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine Treatment Centre in Kwong Wah. The hospital has participated through joint consultation for designated diseases under protocols which developed by both Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine practitioners.
Waterloo Road is one of the principal north-south thoroughfares of Kowloon, Hong Kong. It stretches from Yau Ma Tei to Kowloon Tong.
Yau Ma Tei Theatre, once the largest theatre in Kowloon, is located at the junction of Waterloo Road and Reclamation Street, in Yau Ma Tei, Hong Kong. It is classified as "Grade II Historic Building" It is the only remaining pre-World War II theatre in Kowloon. It was recently converted into a venue for Cantonese opera. Another historical structure, Yau Ma Tei Fruit Market is adjacent to the theatre, across Reclamation Street.
Public Square Street is a street in Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
Tung Wah Museum is a museum housed in the former Main Hall Building of Kwong Wah Hospital, located at 25 Waterloo Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Only this building was preserved when Kwong Wah Hospital was re-developed in 1958–1963. This building was built in 1911; it was classified as a Grade I historic building and in 2010, it was declared as a monument in 2010.
KMB Route 1 is a bus route operated in Kowloon, Hong Kong. It is run by Kowloon Motor Bus and connects the Star Ferry Pier and Chuk Yuen Estate in Wong Tai Sin. The bus runs via Tsim Sha Tsui, Yau Ma Tei, Mong Kok, Kowloon City and Lok Fu.
Yau Ma Tei Typhoon Shelter is a typhoon shelter located near Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
The Kowloon Central Cluster is one of the seven hospital clusters managed by Hospital Authority in Hong Kong. It consists of nine public hospitals, one institutions and thirteen general outpatient clinics to provide public healthcare services for the population of Yau Ma Tei, Mong Kok, Tsim Sha Tsui and Kowloon City and Wong Tai Sin.
Night markets in Hong Kong are bazaars usually located in older areas like Sham Shui Po, Mong Kok or Sheung Wan. Besides selling toys, clothes and food, some Hong Kong night markets also provide divination to visitors, such as the Temple Street Night Market, which is popular with foreign visitors.
Yau Ma Tei Car Park Building was a public multi-storey car park located at No. 250 Shanghai Street, Yau Ma Tei, Yau Tsim Mong District, Hong Kong. Built in 1970, the building is scheduled for demolition in 2021.
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