27 November 2014 - “Sheung Wan, this is the end of the Island Line, all passengers please exit the train” – this familiar announcement will no longer be heard in December when the extension of the MTR’s Island Line will open for residents of the Western District.
The long wait for the train to the western tip of Hong Kong Island is in sight and more and more enquiries for apartments in these areas are being received by OKAY.com. This extension will also mark the beginning of the South Island Line which will connect University Station to Wong Chuk Hang in the near future.
By December 2014, Kennedy Town and University MTR stations will start operations and commuters in the Western District will save up to 30 minutes of time and the hassle of getting on and off buses and trams to reach Sheung Wan. The MTR Corporation promises a much more comfortable ride on these new extensions, including huge passenger lifts from ground to mid-level Pokfulam exits in 2 minutes.
This once working class district is taking strides to become the new Soho West, vying with its sister town Soho East in Quarry Bay. With the migration of the “office tribe” to this once blue collar neighbourhood, years of gestation for the stations to be built have allowed the birth of new opportunities for entrepreneurs to create their “spot of fame”, because where there are executives and expatriates, lifestyle businesses tend to thrive.
For new arrivals to Hong Kong, the convenience of Sheung Wan is a safe bet. For longer time residents, the Western District offers more space for less, plus a dynamic waterfront scene of Hong Kong harbour’s plying boats and cruise liners, and views of the Kowloon and Tsing Yi coastlines including the dramatic Tsing Ma Bridge. The upward spiral in rental prices in the crowded city center may find a small respite here - at least for the time being.
For the price of a studio in Sheung Wan, one may still get a one-bedroom flat in Western District. For the young and single, there will be enough cafes and bars to hang out every night, and families have easy access to a number of Western supermarkets and the Smithfield fresh market to cater to all their needs. (Personally, I would like to see more jazz music venues - which will add to the new vibe!) There are also lovely hiking trails from Pokfulam Reservoir up Mt. Davis, and the Kennedy Town sports complex boasts a host of facilities available for practice and recreation.
In general, property rentals and sales are still one notch below the well-developed East, but catching up fast.
The most popular enquiries are for the following modern developments which cater to an expatriate lifestyle:
The Belcher’s, Pokfulam Road; Island Crest, First Street; The Merton and Manhattan Heights, New Praya Kennedy Town; The Summa, Hing Hon Road off Bonham Road; The Sail at Victoria, Victoria Road and Harbour One, Des Voeux Road West.
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