Editing Wan Chai (section)

==Buildings and constructions==
[[File:Wan Chai shops.JPG|thumb|Old-fashioned shops (''[[tong-lau]]'') in Wan Chai are typical examples of [[Lingnan culture|Lingnan architecture]], comparable to those found in [[Guangzhou]] and [[Taipei]]. Attached to the second story from the pavement, numerous pillars were built in front of the closed stores.]]
[[File:Lee Tung Street.JPG|thumb|Banners brandished all over [[Lee Tung Street]] against the demolishing action of the government in 2005]]
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:Central a.jpg|thumb|The floor plan of the [[Central and Wan Chai Reclamation]]]] -->

===Architecture===
Throughout Wan Chai's history, construction styles have changed according to the architectural movement at the time.

{|class="wikitable"
! width=10% | Era
! width=30% | Style
! width=30% | Examples
|-
|[[Qing Dynasty]] || [[Chinese architecture|Chinese-style]] ||[[Hung Shing Temple, Wan Chai|Hung Shing Temple]]
|-
| 1910s–1920s || [[Neoclassical architecture]] ||[[Old Wan Chai Post Office]]<br/>[[Blue House (Hong Kong)|Blue House]]
|-
| 1930s || [[Streamline Moderne|Streamline Moderne architecture]] ||[[Wan Chai Market]]
|-
| Post-WWII || [[Bauhaus|Bauhaus-style]] ||Shop houses (''[[tong-lau]]'') on [[Lee Tung Street]], [[Tai Yuen Street]]<br/>[[Chevron House|Caltex House]]
|-
|}

In the [[1950s in Hong Kong|1950s]] and [[1960s in Hong Kong|1960s]], an increasing number of [[bar (establishment)|girlie bar]]s and [[nightclub]]s were opened in the [[red-light district]] by [[Jaffe Road|Jaffe]] and [[Lockhart Road]]. The establishments entertained visiting sailors landing at [[Fenwick Pier]]. Beyond Gloucester Road is the commercial area developed in the late 1970s and 1980s, a time at which Hong Kong underwent economic development at full speed. At the same time, buildings like the [[Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts]], [[Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre|HKCEC]], and [[Central Plaza (Hong Kong)|Central Plaza]] were constructed on the newly reclaimed land.

Skyscrapers in Wan Chai include:
* [[Central Plaza (Hong Kong)|Central Plaza]], 78 floors, offices, completed in 1992
* [[Hopewell Centre (Hong Kong)|Hopewell Centre]], 64 floors, offices, completed in 1980
* [[Sun Hung Kai Centre]], 56 floors, offices, completed in 1981
* [[May House (Hong Kong)|May House]], 47 floors, government offices, completed in 2004. Headquarters of the [[Hong Kong Police Force]]
* [[China Online Centre]], 52 floors, offices, completed in 2000
* [[Three Pacific Place]], 40 floors, offices, completed in 2004
* [[Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre|Convention Plaza Office Tower]], 50 floors, offices, completed in 1990
* [[Immigration Tower]], 49 floors, government offices, completed in 1990
* [[Revenue Tower]], 49 floors, government offices, completed in 1990
* [[Wanchai Tower]], 44 floors, government offices, completed in 1985
* [[MLC Tower]], 40 floors, offices, completed in 1998
* [[Wu Chung House]], 40 floors, offices and government offices, completed in 1992
* [[Great Eagle Centre]], 35 floors, offices, completed in 1983
* [[Shui On Centre]], 35 floors, offices, completed in 1987
* [[QRE Plaza]], 35 floors, offices and shops, completed in 2007
* [[China Resources Building]], 48 floors, offices, completed in 1983 
* [[Harbour Centre]], 33 floors, offices, completed in 1983

===Urban decay and renewal===
Many of Wan Chai's older buildings now face a serious problem of [[urban decay]]. To tackle the problem, the government has launched a series of [[urban renewal]] projects to bring new life into the area. Many local residents have relocation worries such as whether the [[Urban Renewal Authority]] can compensate enough to put them in a new space of equal size. Other concerns involve the loss of building character that make up part of that [[Culture of Hong Kong|Hong Kong cultural identity]].

* '''''Demolition of Lee Tung St''''' – Old buildings on [[Lee Tung Street]] are scheduled for demolition. Many businesses have shut down or moved out. Today, most stores have signs on their gate proclaiming "This is an [[Urban Renewal Authority]] Property".
* '''''Renovation of Tai Yuen St''''' – Visitors may gain a distinctive experience of bustling local street-stall shopping in [[Tai Yuen Street]]. Many [[huckster]] stalls sell a wide variety of [[Food preservation|dried goods]], garments, household products, [[dumpling]]s, and [[Chinese herbal medicine]]. This predominantly tourist attraction area is a place where old houses and modern mansions mingle, creating an interesting disparity.

===Central and Wan Chai reclamation (from 2007)===
{{Main|Central and Wan Chai Reclamation}}
After the completion of the Central and Wan Chai Reclamation Feasibility Study in 1989, the Land Development Policy Committee endorsed the idea of an ongoing series of reclamation.<ref name="cwr">{{cite web|url=http://www.cedd.gov.hk/eng/about/achievements/regional/regi_central.htm|title=Central and Wan Chai Reclamation|publisher=Hong Kong civil engineering and development department|date=27 June 2007|access-date=28 August 2007}}</ref> The reclamation comprises three discrete development areas to be aligned by public parks, namely, Central, Tamar and Exhibition. The urban development of each cell would be further divided into five subsequent phases. As of 2014, reclamation for the Central area has been completed: the area is largely taken by the new government offices and the Legislative Council of Hong Kong (its old building in the heart of Central has been reverted to its original use as the Supreme Court).