Woo Cheong Pawn Shop, Grade II historic building in Wan Chai District, Hong Kong.
Woo Cheong Pawn Shop is a four-story beige tong lau building in Wan Chai featuring large French windows, green doors, and continuous pedestrian arcades sheltered by overhanging balconies. The structure combines street-level retail spaces with upper-floor residential quarters, all unified by cohesive architectural detailing.
Built in 1888, the structure operated as a pawnshop beginning in 1947 and remained active in this role until 2003, serving local residents as the pawnbroking industry expanded across Hong Kong. Following its closure, the building underwent careful restoration while maintaining its historic character.
The building displays typical tong lau shophouse architecture with retail spaces below and living quarters above, reflecting how neighborhoods were organized in colonial-era Hong Kong. The green doors and original signage remind visitors of when people came here to pawn their valuables.
Located on Johnston Road in Wan Chai, the building is easily accessible on foot, especially through the street-level arcades that provide shelter as you walk. Daytime visits work best when the ground-floor spaces are actively in use and fully accessible to the public.
The building kept its original green door and signage intact even as it changed uses and underwent comprehensive restoration, making these elements living reminders of its pawnshop years. Visitors who notice these details get a direct connection to how locals once relied on this service.
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