PMQ

My one purchase of a popsicle does not accurately depict how much I enjoyed PMQ.
I was in Hong Kong for a work trip. I got one official day off on a Sunday, and this is the main thing I chose to see on that day. (Also wanted to check out Victoria’s Peak, but it was raining…) I forget exactly how I learned about this place, but the guy selling popsicles seemed surprised that I knew about it.
During my visit, the outside courtyard was filled with vendors selling popsicles, tea, cookies, jewelry, baby clothes, bags, etc. These vendors alone would have been worth the trip, but there was still seven more floors of shops to go to! My two coworkers and I walked up and down every floor to make sure we didn’t miss one shop. My coworker was on a search for a gift for her grandma, and after immediately being drawn to a piece of jewelry she saw in the courtyard, she ended up buying a beautiful vintage butterfly pin from one of the shops inside the quarters.
Regrettably, I didn’t buy anything myself, because there was nothing specific I was looking for at the time, plus I wasn’t going to have too much room in my suitcase to pack new items. However, in any future trip to Hong Kong (whether for work or leisure), I’d definitely return to PMQ. My coworker also thought it was a great find! Glad I didn’t drag them along to something they really weren’t interested in.
There are a handful of restaurants inside the quarters as well, and my coworkers and I had some great burgers.
Overall, this was a lovely change of pace from the crowded shopping malls. A lot of the stuff is on the pricier end, so be prepared to treat yourself to some very trendy items.
If you’re coming here to visit a specific shop, I would just recommend checking their store hours online ahead of time, because all stores aren’t always open at the same time.

Super cute! I went there with my aunt today thinking it was a very historical building but I was very happily surprised. The building is still very historical being since it was used as a Police and Military Quarter. The area has very cute, hip, and aesthetic stores. I bought a very cute IPhone case there as well as a bag shaped into a banana! My favorite store, The Refinery was a very nice place with very helpful people. This place is often missed and it should not be anymore! This place is a new gem, and is defiantly a Hong Kong favorite!

Hip spot in Central. The first time I visited was during a typhoon warning to see the pandas. Second time, I walked through most of it. Lots of small shops to pop in and out A must-​see for anyone into boutique/​hipster scene. In subsequent visits I don’t see myself walking through it again. NYT also has a piece on this place.

Hipster central, and I like it.
PMQ stands for Police Military Quarters, as that’s what it was in a former life. But now it’s filled with shops and public spaces and interesting things. We walked through as an art show was going on and it was vibrant and lively and lovely.
Yes, I may not be cool enough to be here, but I enjoyed seeing it. Put it on your list if you’re in the area and see what’s going on.

nice place in the middle of central /​sheung wan to just drop by and walk around in
it’s a mix of public and commercial space (as one of its exhibits somewhere on the 5/​f or 6/​f iirc with a video telling bits of its historical tale will inform you) with shops, things and décor that delights those who appreciate design, or perhaps just most people

Um antigo edifício para alojamento de policiais casados que ao invés de se render à especulação imobiliária (Hong Kong é um dos lugares mais densamente povoados que estive) foi revitalizado e transformado em um centro de referência em design. O local mistura espaço para eventos, estúdios e lojas onde são comercializados produtos com o melhor das artes e design (moda, fotografia, escultura, arquitetura, decoração) que representa a ilha de Hong Kong e também outros países. O espaço também conta com cafés e restaurantes para completar a experiência.
Cada um dos alojamentos virou um espaço diferente, distribuído por 7 andares com um grande átrio, visível pro qualquer um dos níveis.
Estive algumas vezes por recomendações de amigos que chamaram o local como o novo queridinho dos descolados. E realmente a proposta é bem bacana.
O ideal é pegar o elevador até o último nível e visitando cada uma dos estabelecimentos. Vi desde macaron recém assado, a poster fotográfico em tiragens exclusivas e até cueca premium de uma marca francesa («Le Slip Français»). Para finalizar, um almoço com os amigos e um dos restaurantes ao ar livre do local.
Podia ser mais um novo shopping center, mas está longe de ser considerado um porque realmente a vocação dele está mais para uma galeria ou estúdio de artes que para uma nova meca das compras.
Um local que vale a pena visitar em HK.

What a great use of historical space in the Sheung Wan area. The former Police Military Quarters (PMQ) was converted to 7 floors of a hundred or more little artist galleries, restaurants, clothing stores and funky modern shops in 2014. They do have a space that talks about the history of the land, the school and the police military quarters and families that once resided in this building. The design of this space is fantastic!
Vivienne Tam is anchored on the first floor and a great retail space. Huge sales were occuring during this summer month when we were here. Herman Miller is a rock in the design world and occupy space here too.
We wandered around and will definatley be back to go to their restaurants (some upscale and formal, others low brow, casual and cool, and still others like ice cream and drinks). We probably spent two hours simply walking about. You could kill an entire day here. Lots of great spaces (inside and out) to do just that!
It can be a bit deceiving from the street to know what is inside, but once you get in, you open yourself to the laberinth of cool shops that are about.

The reason I went to check out this place because my mother used to live and went to school and my grandfather was a policeman. I always heard a lot of stories about their life in this building from my mom, my relatives and their old neighbors which now are family friends! I also heard a lot of stories or gossips from them about some famous people grew up or went to school in this building! Also, My grandparents babysit me throughout my whole childhood and they are now in heaven. I went to PMQ in a way of remembrance my grandparents, too! I want to learn more about them! Feeling glad and appreciate the government did not take this building down, turned to PMQ open to the public! It is a nice place to shop some local brands and learning part of the old HK and HK history! Good place to go to for family with kids! One of the floor my mom used to live in is now a restaurant! I asked to go in but I was rejected by the waitress! I also asked if I can eat inside when the restaurant was almost empty but I was rejected by the waitress again because they said the tables were all reserved! I told a local friend about it, she told me that restaurant needs to reserve a table at least one month ahead! Okay, maybe next time then!
The reason I minus one star, not about the PMQ… It is the HK policemen works around the neighborhood! As all my friends know about me, I never bad mouth the HK police because my of my family background! I respect them and support them because my grandpa was a HK police! I dreamed of being a HK police when I was a child! I even argued with my friends if they bad mouth the HK police and said they were ‘black police’!! However, I am very disappointed with this two HK Policemen! I was on the street where the tram (ding ding) runs! I asked the two policemen if there’s an escalator going up the hill around the area because I remember there is one! I took it many times! I told them I injured my knee which is very hard to walk all the way up! I even show them how injured was my knee! They told me ‘NO! Just walk up the stairs and there is PMQ’ without any thinking. Then, I asked, ‘the escalator in Central ?? I took it before! ’ They still said ‘NO’ ! So, I believed them because they are policemen and walked all the way up with my injured knee!
When I was on my way down, I tried to look for a road without stairs! I walked a couple blocks away. Hey! I saw the escalator!
I don’t know why they lied to me? Or if they really don’t know? It will be worse! I hope this is only an incident.

An ever evolving purveyor of Hong Kongs local artists, small boutique and pop up shops. One can come here every other week and expect to see something new. The layout itself is so gorgeous and vast, there never ceases be an opportunity to catch something new.

Speaking as a tourist, I think this is a must visit places in HK if it’s your first time around. Modern architecture remodeled from police married quarters. They turned each of the rooms into an artist studio. The entire building is a full of foo foo designers. I find the stuff very interesting to look at but super expensive.
My favorite shops have to be the coffee place on second floor and the Goods of Desire on ground level. The Goods of Desire (GOD) reminded me of Ikea but with a touch of Eastern influence.
I especially liked the bridge way area where you can look out and see the entire interior of the PMQ and buildings on the outside which looked quite old compare to the shine. It gives you an interesting perspective on life and things.

PMQ. A meeting spot for events such as the SUMMER Night Market and other special exhibitions.
But aside from these special exhibitions, on a day-​to-​day basis there are boutique shops opened by local artists. From Jewelry shops, to Art Shops, to Cooking Shops, to Small Cafes, Cupcakes, Pastries, Clothing shops. etc… These are one-​of-​a-​kind shops with items unique to each shop. So, you’d probably be the only one in the ENTIRE WORLD (I exaggerated, maybe 2 other people would have it if the artist made more than one) who would have that product. Makes you feel kinda special. =)
Anyway, it’s nice to take a casual stroll here and window shop.
My favorite is SHOWCASE by Bread and Butter. Aside from the fact that I really like their clothing, they have a cute little café that serves a perfect tea-​time for you and your girls! Cheers!

To be filed under «I’m Not Cool Enough To Be Here»
From what I understand, «PMQ» stands for «Police Married Quarters». Back in the day, officers and their wives would stay in this building. Then someone had this awesome idea to refurbish it and turn it into hipster central.
I will admit that the building is beautifully restored and the retail options are (and will continue to be) plentiful. When I visited in August 2014, many parts of the building weren’t ready yet, but the ones that were showed a lot of promise.
You’ll find a lot of cute boutiques that sell locally made or beautifully designed products; for now, clothing, accessories, and shoes. Yes, there were hipster glasses frames being sold. Yes, I saw at least one vintage bicycle on display.
We visited on a Saturday evening and noticed they were setting up a night market which looked really neat. They had several stalls set up, one selling delicious looking artisanal popsicles, another selling sexy but cool swimsuit/​body suits to describe a few. Wish we could’ve stayed to check it out, but drinks at Quinary were waiting for us!
Overall, trendy spot to be if you want to be seen.

It is all about the panda exhibition these days. With the 1600 super adorable pandas on display here, PMQ has drawn quite a lot of spotlight both locally and internationally ever since its opening. This place was originally police married quarters that got revitalized under the Revitalizing Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme.
Though lots of people came here for the papier-​mâché panda hype, PMQ definitely has much more to offer. It is in fact a creative industries landmark here in Hong Kong that provides great opportunities to designers and artists where they can showcase their work to the public. You may find quite a number of design studios that showcase fashion, lifestyle products or even housewares there.
With less than 10 minute walk from the Central MTR station, its night market has become one of the most hip place to be. Ever get tired to walking around Hong Kong filled with shopping malls that have exactly the same chains stores? Come here and you will see Hong Kong has a lot more than just that. There are quite a lot of cafés and food stalls at the moment so people tend to come here for some snacks and good chat with the inspiring young designers. Please do spend some time visiting shop by shop as they all have very different characteristics and it is totally worth staying here for a while.
I am sure give it some time and it will be just as big as other tourist attractions in Hong Kong — in a good way.

The original Police Married Quarters, hence the name PMQ, was vacated a few years back around 2000, with the land listed potentially for auction as a site for residential building. Under intense pressure by the local neighborhood to protect the ancient trees that intertwined into the retaining wall fronting its Shing Wong Street side around 2005, the building was finally listed as a Grade 3 heritage site (it was rebuilt after damage by fire in 1944 and cannot count the continuance back to its days as school in the 1840s), and subsequently scheduled as one of the revitalization projects initiated by the government. Last spring, it soft-​opened while the tenants had not completely moved in, with a series of weekend night market as the kick-​off ‘festival’ for the present day PMQ, and is recently infested by the paper pandas (temporary exhibition by the WWF).
My exploration route of choice for PMQ would be: Walk down from SOHO area into the complex via entrance at the middle of the block at Aberdeen Street. You would immediately notice that the revitalization project kept in place much of the original architecture, mainly two long and narrow residential blocks– high block A (now called Staunton) and low block B (now called Hollywood). The blocks front a central courtyard, originally being the carparking lot and playground, it is now the entrance/​event plaza that welcomes you into the place, with a staircase and lift that goes down to the basement where the heritage foundation of the Government Central School are kept for display.
After these, go up to the top floor of either blocks by lift and wander down. You’d find the former living units turned into studios for creative businesses and the semi-​open corridors become a make-​shift exhibition space, often displaying the works of occupants working right opposite to it inside the studios. A glass canopy covering everything, plus a giant ‘glass box’ — the QUBE, an indoor event venue with high headroom accessed from 2/​F of the old blocks, are the addition, injected into the originally completely open central courtyard. This gesture shields the courtyard below from weather, where the night market tents are set and the paper pandas are crawling all over right now. The QUBE also doubles as a bridge by creating a rooftop garden on the fourth floor that links the 2 blocks on both sides, allowing you the convenience of crossing the blocks without going all the way down by stairs or waiting for the slow lifts (that were often SO queued up during times of events like the night market).
When you are done exploring the studios/​shops/​restaurants/​events around the 2 main blocks, flow out from the central courtyard at G/​F through the Hollywood block. You can enjoy the backyard-​like grassy garden, and then reach the small hut formerly used by the Junior Police Call. This hut is also kept and turned into an intimate-​sized bar which offers some exotic original cocktails to treat your taste buds. Finally, you can exit via another entrance at the Hollywood Road corner of Aberdeen Street.