Tsukiji and Soho lookalikes: Features of upgraded Link Reit market in Hong Kong’s Tin Shui Wai

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Tin Shui Wai residents will be able to enjoy a revamped market. Photo: Nora Tam

Published: 7:00am, 3 Oct 2015

A grocery market in a subsidised housing estate in Tin Shui Wai – known previously for its poverty – will be expanded and renovated with European-style architecture to provide more upscale food options and a bigger shopping experience, under a multi-million dollar plan unveiled by the Link Reit, which took over commercial facilities and car parks at public housing estates from the government a decade ago.

While admitting that an increase in shop rents was “inevitable”, the company declined to disclose the extent and insisted that the plan “did not mean the prices of products would go up”.

The size of Tin Shing Market, located in Home Ownership Scheme development Tin Shing Court, will be more than doubled to over 17,000 square feet. The number of stalls will be increased from 77 to more than 110 and eating places from two to over 10.

A “Soho” area serving quality food and beverages, a seafood zone modelled after the famous Tsukiji market in Tokyo, a night snack street and a discount corner will also be created. Online ordering services will be available and air-conditioning will be installed in the market.

“Products such as Spanish ham and organic fruit without wax coating will be sold, for example,” said Lo Bing-chung, corporate communications director of Link Asset Management, the property management arm of the Link Reit.

Tin Shui Wai is no longer the poor area that we knew years ago. Many residents actually have quite high consumption power

Link Reit PR Lo Bing-chung

Ice-vending machines will also be installed in the market to help shoppers keep their newly bought seafood fresh while they go shopping or eating, and staff will help elderly residents carry their purchases from the market to neighbouring Tin Yiu Estate.