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Fiona Sun

A sea wall at a popular selfie spot on Kennedy Town’s waterfront could soon gain grade two status after Hong Kong authorities proposed listing it as a historic structure, although experts say creative storytelling will be key to bringing the site’s heritage to life.
According to a document from the Antiquities and Monuments Office, the Historic Buildings Assessment Panel recommended that the New Praya sea wall be given grade two status following an assessment.
Subject to members’ endorsement, the office would upload the proposed grading to the Antiquities Advisory Board’s website for a one-month public consultation, the document said.
Hong Kong classifies historic buildings into three grades. Grade two is for structures of special merit, for which efforts should be made to achieve selective preservation.
According to authorities, the New Praya sea wall may be more than 100 years old and is believed to be one of the oldest along the northern shore of Hong Kong Island.

In its proposal to build an offshore pedestrian walkway along New Praya, the government earlier said the sea wall’s potential heritage value would continue to be taken into account.
Ivan Ho Man-yiu, chairman of the Harbourfront Commission, said the proposed grading was unlikely to affect plans for the new walkway, as the sea wall’s heritage value had already been considered in the design.
“The boardwalk we are currently proposing is at a distance from the sea wall, and the alignment has been thoroughly evaluated to ensure that it will not affect the sea wall in terms of construction,” he said.
Ho noted that the sea wall was not currently visible to people standing along the waterfront. He proposed setting aside areas on the new pedestrian walkway where tourists and residents could stop to view it.
He also called for better education and promotion of the historic structure, including interactive ways for visitors to learn about the site’s past rather than relying solely on photographs and text.

“I hope we can make better use of technology and integrate it into our harbourfront to give the public a whole new experience,” he said.
“Besides serving as a pedestrian walkway that connects the waterfront, this boardwalk can also let people view the sea wall and learn about its history.”
Professor Kwong Chi-man, chair of the history department at Baptist University, said the New Praya section was likely to be the only historical sea wall remaining on western Hong Kong Island.
Kwong compared recent and historical aerial photos, which showed the sea wall was likely to have been constructed in the early 1900s. He added that the sea wall, which had prevented Japanese forces in World War II from landing in that part of the city, should still be relatively intact.
“The sea wall has also witnessed prosperous industrial and urban development on western Hong Kong Island, as the area features residential development, slaughterhouses, warehouses and the Hongkong Rope Manufacturing Company,” he said.
He said the area’s industrial elements were almost wiped out in the 1970s.
New Praya, which stretches 200 metres (219 yards), has become a hotspot for mainland Chinese tourists in recent years, with many visiting to take selfies against the harbourfront backdrop.
But the lack of a pedestrian walkway along the waterfront has led visitors to gather on the road, creating safety risks.
Authorities have proposed building a pedestrian walkway linking Cadogan Street Promenade and Belcher Bay Promenade at both ends.
The walkway is expected to be 200 metres long and 10 metres wide, requiring the reclamation of 0.25 hectares. Reclamation is expected to begin in mid-2028 and be completed in mid-2031.
Additional reporting by Edith Lin


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Hong Kong society

Hong Kong proposes grade 2 heritage status for Kennedy Town selfie spot sea wall

New Praya’s historic sea wall in Kennedy Town, a popular selfie spot, has been proposed for grade two status. Photo: Dickson Lee

The proposed grading is unlikely to affect plans for a new walkway, as the sea wall’s heritage value has already been considered in the design, says Ivan Ho, chairman of the Harbourfront Commission. Photo: Dickson Lee

The planned offshore walkway in Kennedy Town would offer the public a new view of New Praya’s century-old sea wall. Photo: Handout

The Kennedy Town waterfront is pounded by waves as a typhoon hits Hong Kong in 1971. Photo: SCMP

A huge wave hits the Kennedy Town waterfront as a typhoon approaches Hong Kong in 1983. Photo: SCMP

Authorities to seek public views on walkway for New Praya selfie hotspot

Mainland tourists take pictures in Kennedy Town. Photo: Eugene Lee

Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn has said that the government intends to hold a public consultation after releasing its proposal in the second quarter. Photo: Edmond So

Kennedy Town walkway plan needs rethink to match local vibe: harbourfront body

Concept art for the extended walkway along the Kennedy Town waterfront. Photo: Handout

The neighbourhood has become popular with selfie takers in recent years. Photo: Sam Tsang

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Hong Kong

Society

Heritage assessment panel proposes listing New Praya’s century-old sea wall as historic structure amid plans to build new pedestrian walkway


Heritage assessment panel proposes listing New Praya’s century-old sea wall as historic structure amid plans to build new pedestrian walkway.


Hong Kong proposes grade 2 heritage status for Kennedy Town selfie spot sea wall

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Heritage assessment panel proposes listing New Praya’s century-old sea wall as historic structure amid plans to build new pedestrian walkway

Heritage assessment panel proposes listing New Praya’s century-old sea wall as historic structure amid plans to build new pedestrian walkway