Inside PMQ, a Showcase of Hong Kong Heritage

The site now home to PMQ has lived three remarkable lives: first as the pioneering Central School in the 19th century; then the Police Married Quarters from the 1950s; and now as a creative hub. Many Hongkongers now know the complex as a place for weekend shopping or cultural events, but there’s two exhibition spaces in particular that reveals all of the layers of PMQ’s history.

The site’s most recent chapter began in 2010, a decade after the former police quarters were vacated. Having uncovered remnants of the historic school — whose alumni included revolutionary leader Sun Yat-sen — the government designated the site a Grade III Historic Building. That same year, plans were announced to transform the compound into one of Hong Kong’s first creative clusters of its kind. The newly revamped complex opened in 2014.

Rejuvenating a building of such historic significance was no easy task, but PMQ executive director William To was clear from the outset: “Our mission has always been to nurture young creative talent while preserving the history of the place.” Before PMQ opened, local creatives struggled to afford retail spaces, making it difficult for them to grow their brands and run a business. “Our directors noticed that the site had been empty for years, so they approached the government to revitalise it and help young entrepreneurs start their ventures,” he says.

With a HK$100 million donation from the Musketeers Education and Culture Charitable Foundation and HK$10 million funding from M K Lau Foundation, the old residential units have been transformed into spaces for more than 100 local entrepreneurs, with shops and restaurants, alongside thousands of events and programmes throughout the years promoting the creative industry. PMQ preserves many of the original architectural details, including the overall layout of the former living units in the two blocks, along with the granite steps and rubble retaining wall from the Central School.

“We introduced new elements to convert the site from a residential to a commercial function, which was quite innovative, but we preserved the historic features,” says To. “All the windows, unit layouts and general appearance have been maintained. We repaired what we could, cleared the space, and renovated it to safeguard its character.”

One of the few new additions is the glass-covered courtyard canopy, allowing the open space to host events regardless of the weather. Another highlight is The Qube, a multifunctional hall that connects the two PMQ blocks and accommodates a wide range of activities.

“Before, most heritage sites around the world were renovated by either the government or charitable organisations, simply opening the space for people to learn about their history,” says To. “It was rare for a site to be completely transformed to serve an entirely new function. PMQ set the precedent.”

PMQ’s past on display

Now home to creative talents, the site still bears traces of its layered history in the underground spaces and two former living units, hinting at its past as a school and police quarters. “We have planned the exhibition areas since the revitalisation began,” says To. “With a site like this, if an ordinary person walks in and we don’t guide them, they will only see the current state, which is meaningless. We hope people come in and understand our three lifetimes.”

Stretching back over 150 years, PMQ’s story began on Gough Street in 1862, when it opened as Central School, Hong Kong’s first government school providing Western-style education to the general public. In 1889, it moved to a new site at the junction of Aberdeen Street and Hollywood Road, was renamed Victoria College, and five years later became Queen’s College, the name it still carries today at its current location in Tin Hau.

During World War II, the Hollywood Road campus was badly damaged by bombing and later demolished. In the late 1940s, a surge in refugees fleeing the Chinese Civil War prompted the government to expand the police force. To accommodate its growing ranks, the site was redeveloped in 1951 as Hong Kong’s first Police Married Quarters. 

The new complex contained 140 single and 28 double units for junior Chinese officers stationed at the nearby Central Police Station. This was an important milestone, as housing had previously been reserved for foreign staff. Among its residents were figures who later rose to prominence, including former chief executives Donald Tsang Yam-kuen and Leung Chun-ying, as well as actor Lau Dan.

The quarters were vacated in 2000; what had been an acceptable place to live in the 1950s was no longer considered up to standard. Initial plans called for the complex to be demolished, but after opposition by local heritage advocates, it was eventually earmarked for revitalisation in 2009 under the Conserving Central initiative. Although Central School was severely damaged during the war and later demolished, the Antiquities and Monuments Office conducted an archaeological investigation in 2007 and uncovered remains of its foundation. These traces are now displayed in PMQ’s Underground Interpretation Area, showcasing six pieces of flooring and fragments of building materials.

Climbing to the fifth floor leads to two exhibition areas that highlight the evolution of the site and the stories that shaped its past. One of these is Unit S508, where a documentary plays on the wall, featuring former police families recounting their memories. The design of the Police Married Quarters — with shared kitchens along the corridors and communal toilets at the end of each floor — encouraged close interaction. Families exchanged meals, children played in the hallways, and strong community bonds formed. The exhibition also includes reconstructed living and bedroom areas representing an old Hong Kong home, complete with nostalgic objects such as a typewriter, an old fan and a radio.

Next door, S509 presents a detailed timeline of Central School, supported by historical photos and documents. “These exhibitions tell our story and our origins, so their content won’t be altered,” says To. “Only the technical aspects have been updated over time. For example, the Queen’s College Old Boys’ Association sponsored us to convert the storytelling of the timeline from analog to digital. We hope that everyone who walks in will learn to respect the past and appreciate the present.” 

Building new history

There have long been grumblings about PMQ’s identity — whether it is meant to be a local creative hub or simply a shopping mall. Over the years, some tenants have voiced frustration over high rent, management decisions as well as the presence of international brands and chains like B’in Select, which operates eight stores across Hong Kong, and Japan’s Tamiya Plamodel Factory. In earlier years, there were also spin-offs of major brands such as Bread n Butter and MUJI.

Despite these tensions, PMQ continues to present itself as an anchor of Hong Kong’s design and creative industries as it enters its 12th year. “I often told people that PMQ is a work in progress and an evolving project,” says To. “We constantly observe how society develops and what it needs, and consider how we can fill the gaps in the creative industry to make a meaningful impact. That role has always been clear to us.” 

To says that, since opening, PMQ has never raised its rent. The base rent for studio units has remained the same for the past 11 years, with only a small adjustment to management fees a few years ago to cover rising operational costs.

“We set aside our ground floor and first floor for commercial use, and lease the shops to more established businesses,” he says. “This allows PMQ to generate stable revenue to stay sustainable and be able to offer affordable studio units to emerging creatives and entrepreneurs. That’s why the majority of our tenants can access studio spaces at prices lower than market rates.”

Over time, the tenant mix at PMQ has become increasingly diverse. “PMQ’s mission and vision have always focused on supporting the local design entrepreneurs and building a creative hub,” says To. “We believe a vibrant, creative community is essential to PMQ’s identity, so it is never our intent to run this site as a pure shopping mall. We want to offer a multifaceted experience that goes beyond retail.”

Some tenants have been with PMQ since its launch, evolving from startups to showcasing their products at international trade and fashion shows. Notable examples include AaaM (Architecture as a Medium), an award-winning design studio that has grown significantly, and Harrison Wong, a fashion brand that opened its first retail store at PMQ in 2014 and has since expanded globally.

“PMQ’s impact extends beyond our current and former tenants,” says To. “We’re deeply involved in all aspects of the creative process, providing events and opportunities for designers to showcase their talents. Since 2014, PMQ has hosted over 4,000 events, including workshops, exhibitions, and other creative experiences. Through these, we’ve reached a wide audience and made creativity and culture accessible to everyone.”

Beyond this, PMQ has also expanded its support to the wider creative ecosystem and into education. Flagship programmes such as the annual deTour design festival and SEED — which encourages design thinking among children — demonstrate PMQ’s role in cultivating Hong Kong’s creative culture and connecting it with global audiences. 

Running from November 28 to December 7, this year’s edition of deTour is themed “The Shape of Yearning”, with 17 installations and more than 40 workshops led by designers from Hong Kong and abroad. There’s also a new “deTour Kids” segment, to nurture the next generation of creatives. “During this period, designers from around the world come to Hong Kong,” says To. “It’s a rare opportunity for them to discover new ideas from local talent — and for our designers to shine.”

He highlights how PMQ’s impact aligns with Hong Kong’s broader positioning as a centre for international cultural exchange. “We have contributed a lot in this regard; consulates from various countries have used PMQ to host their cultural events, even National Day celebrations,” he says. Notably, the Korean Cultural Center and an Italian library have chosen to set up their base at PMQ.

Today, more and more revitalisation projects are taking root across Hong Kong. To sees this as an encouraging trend. He hopes the exhibitions in Units S508 and S509 demonstrate the value in conserving historic sites.

“Hong Kong needs to preserve its history, because that is what makes it interesting,” he says. “Without these stories, the city would lose its substance. PMQ has become a new destination for the city. Everyone who visits Hong Kong comes here. That alone shows we have done the right thing: giving people a place to understand our past and appreciate our future.”