Pottinger Street

Pottinger Street is a street in Central. The street was originally on the slope between Queen's Road Central and Hollywood Road. Many peoples call the street“Shek Ban Gai” (石板街).

It was constructed around 1845 and was named after Sir Henry Pottinger the first Governor of Hong Kong who was in office during 1843-1844. The street was constructed to facilitate transportation of goods and construction materials for the new prison and magistracy nearby.

Development:

In the beginning of the 20th century, it has succeed to exist all the demolitions and renewal programs and has carved a place for itself as a market street. Therefore the area gradually developed into a prosperous commercial zone when traders set up shops and hawker stalls along the street.

Architectural Merit

The street is make of granite slabs laid breaking bond to form steps. There are open drainage channels on each side of the street, also raised sidewalks with steps on either side of the street. The street is pedestrianised, that is to say, it is closed traffic. The heavy granite sections used for the steps probably came from Pedder Hill which was the nearest stone quarry.