Hong Kong’s historic Murray House exemplifies city’s empty stores, fitful retail recovery
- Vacancies across Central, Causeway Bay, Tsim Sha Tsui and Mong Kok down from peak in third quarter of 2022, but worse than in 2019
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Shop occupancy recovers in Hong Kong, but vacant stores still visible across the city
Murray House, a historic landmark at the southern tip of Hong Kong, stood as a testament to the importance of preservation after a meticulous brick-by-brick relocation from Central to Stanley, but now serves more as a stark illustration of the city’s struggling retail sector.
The three-storey Victorian structure, situated at a prime waterfront location in the tourist destination, is completely empty after the last tenants – a German restaurant, a steakhouse and a large fast-fashion store – pulled out in April.
During a recent visit to the site by a Post reporter, a few people were wandering around the deserted historical building. A hanging poster indicated one hall was set aside for a “Pets Market” pop-up bazaar on weekends this month.
Constructed in the 1840s, the Victorian-era building was once a barracks for the colonial British army in Central. Over time, it became home to several different government departments before it was dismantled and rebuilt brick by brick in the seaside village of Stanley in 2002.
The structure subsequently became a landmark in Stanley, initially housing the Hong Kong Maritime Museum, then transitioning to a retail space filled with restaurants and a three-storey outlet for fast-fashion chain H&M.