Kennedy Town Sea Wall Proposed Grade 2 Historic Status; New Boardwalk to Blend Tech with Maritime Heritage
HK01 · 3 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
The Antiquities Advisory Board has approved the proposed grading of the Kennedy Town New Praya sea wall, constructed in the 19th century, as a Grade 2 historic building. Speaking on a radio programme on September 11, 2026, Harbourfront Commission Chairman Ho Man-yiu revealed that the government intends to incorporate technology into the planned 200-metre pedestrian boardwalk to allow residents and visitors to experience the area's rich history as a bustling working dock .
Key Points
- The Kennedy Town New Praya sea wall, built in the 19th century and over 130 years old, has been proposed for Grade 2 historic building status by the Antiquities Advisory Board
- The government plans to construct a 200-metre-long, 10-metre-wide offshore pedestrian boardwalk, involving approximately 0.25 hectares of reclamation
- The boardwalk is designed with a curved, non-linear layout positioned away from the historic sea wall, allowing public viewing from various distances and angles
- The Development Bureau is exploring the use of technology to create three-dimensional displays showing historical scenes of the working dock and labourers
- Construction is targeted to commence in mid-2028, with completion expected in mid-2031
Why It Matters
The proposed grading of the Kennedy Town sea wall highlights growing recognition of Hong Kong's maritime heritage, while the boardwalk project represents a delicate balance between preserving historic structures and developing the harbourfront. Chairman Ho emphasised that the design must reconcile multiple considerations, including public safety during typhoons, future sea-level rise, and maintaining views of the historic sea wall—a challenge that will test the government's approach to heritage conservation in a densely built urban environment .
The proposed grading of the Kennedy Town sea wall highlights growing recognition of Hong Kong's maritime heritage, while the boardwalk project represents a delicate balance between preserving historic structures and developing the harbourfront. Chairman Ho emphasised that the design must reconcile multiple considerations, including public safety during typhoons, future sea-level rise, and maintaining views of the historic sea wall—a challenge that will test the government's approach to heritage conservation in a densely built urban environment .