Petitioners have set out to save an endangered pawnshop in Wan Chai.
Tung Tak Pawn Shop, noted for its architectural features and curved corner frontage, is in the process of being demolished.
About 1,300 petitioners believe that the 80-year-old Grade III listed building is, however, worth preserving.
Demolition work is already underway. While there were previous attempts to preserve this shop, Tak Shing Investment, the landlord, continues to pursue plans to replace it with a 23-storey commercial tower.
However, Yuen Chi-yan, heritage conservationist and one of the organising petitioners, believes “It is not too late to save the pawnshop,” reports SCMP.
If Secretary for Development Paul Chan recognises the building as a proposed monument, demolition would cease and an agreement to save the structure could be reached.
This would provide more time to build a stronger case in an attempt to persuade the landlord out of his plans.
As this is not the first time community activists have targeted the Development Bureau to save monumental buildings, Yuen suggested that Hong Kong’s conservation policies should be revised.
The petition closed today. Follow the progress using #SaveTungTakPawn.
Photos: Jessica Steinberg/Coconuts Media
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