Star Ferry Pier, Central

Star Ferry Pier, Central may refer to any of the successive generations of pier in Central, Hong Kong used by the Star Ferry for its services across Victoria Harbour to Hung Hom Pier. The current Star Ferry pier is in its 4th generation. It opened for public service on November 12, 2006.

Location

First Generation (1890) at junction of Pedder Street and Chater RoadEric Cavaliero, [http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=&art_id=45861&sid=&con_type=1&d_str=19970206&sear_year=1997 Star of the harbour] , The Standard, February 6 1997]

econd Generation

Second Generation (1912) at Pedder Street, the present site of Jardine House

Third Generation

Third Generation (1957) near Edinburgh Place, decommissioned November 11, 2006.

The pier was created in the late 1950s following a major land reclamation in Central. The pier was built in 1957 in a modern functionist style at the height of the Modern Movement, near the City Hall complex which was being planned at the time.

Fourth Generation

Fourth Generation (2006) - also known as "Central Ferry Piers 7 and 8" at Man Kwong Street.
Central Ferry Piers 7 and 8 were built to replace the Edinburgh Place Ferry Pier in Central, on Hong Kong Island, pursuant of the Central and Wan Chai Reclamation projects.

The pier was moved further into Victoria Harbour, and constructed on reclaimed land approximately 300 metres away from the former site (as the crow flies). The new pier is located directly northwards, in front of the old pier.

Part of the new pier was built at the time of the reclamation for the Hong Kong Station of the Airport Express MTR line and the International Finance Centre. It thus derives its name from having been pier no.7 of the outlying islands ferry piers.

Design

As these structures occupy a prime waterfront site, the Government had attempted to develop the piers into a new landmark for public enjoyment. The Star Ferry proposed a historical heritage design approach and this pier is being expanded eastwards to resemble a replica of the third generation Edwardian pier.

The present mock-Edwardian pier, being a 600-square-metre terminal, features a clock tower with a new set of five electronically-controlled bells that sound similar to those of the Edinburgh Place Ferry Pier. Other design features of the building include open-air pier, natural lighting, including skylights.

The bottom two floors of each of the two "finger piers" will serve as boarding and waiting rooms, while the top floors will feature a public viewing deck, a canteen-style restaurant and a cafe. The Star Ferry Company has also applied to set up a bar in one area of the top floorcite web
last = Kwoh
first = Leslie
title = Ferry terminal a step closer to history
date = August 30, 2006
publisher = Hong Kong Standard
url=http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?we_cat=4&art_id=26180&sid=9647571&con_type=3&d_str=20060830
accessdate = 2006-12-16 ] .

Construction began in mid-2003.

Design controversy

Government's attempt at Edwardian architecture drew some criticism from the public in both the design and materials used, and the structure has been criticised as "an imitation of the past without capturing the spirit of the past or present". It has been derided amongst others as "theme park" in appearanceNg Tze-wei, [http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/11/10/news/ferry.php "Not even HK's storied Star Ferry can face down developers] , November 10, 2006, International Herald Tribune] .

References

ee also

* Wan Chai Pier

External links

* [http://www.starferry.com.hk/new/en/index.asp Star Ferry official site]