Edinburgh Place Ferry Pier

Edinburgh Place Ferry Pier
Company type	Ferry pier
Industry	Maritime transport
Predecessor	Second-generation Star Ferry Pier
Founded	1957
Founder	Hung Yip Chan (architect)
Defunct	2006
Fate	Demolished in 2006–2007
Successor	Central Piers 7 and 8
Headquarters	Central, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Area served	Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong
Key people	Hung Yip Chan (architect), Michael Wright (Chief Architect)
Products	Ferry terminal services for Star Ferry
Owner	Star Ferry Company (implied)

Edinburgh Place Ferry Pier, commonly known as the "Star Ferry" Pier, was a significant maritime terminal located in Edinburgh Place, Central, Hong Kong, primarily serving the Star Ferry. This pier, along with its iconic clock tower, stood as a notable landmark along the waterfront. Erected in 1957, during the era of the Modern Movement, it represented the third iteration of the Star Ferry Pier situated near both the Hong Kong City Hall and the General Post Office, Hong Kong.

The pier played a pivotal role during the Hong Kong 1966 riots and subsequently became a contentious site amid disputes between heritage advocates and government authorities aiming to demolish it for purposes of Land reclamation in Hong Kong. Ferry operations at this location ended on 11 November 2006, with services moving to Central Piers 7 and 8. Demolition commenced on 12 December 2006 and was finalized in early 2007.

History

Constructed on reclaimed land from the late 1950s, the third-generation pier caused a shift in the shoreline near the Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong. Built in 1957 at Edinburgh Place within the context of the Modern Movement, it was positioned beside the emerging City Hall complex.

The pier’s façade was designed by local architect Hung Yip Chan (born 1921), who served as an assistant architect at Hong Kong Government's Architectural Office between 1952 and 1957. The Clock Tower was later incorporated by Chief Architect Michael Wright to provide both aesthetic balance and practical function.

Since its installation in 1957, the turret clock has chimed every fifteen minutes. This clock was generously donated by John Keswick and originally belonged to the Prince of Belgium. Its internal mechanism was manufactured by British company Edward John Dent, renowned for producing London's "Big Ben".

On the Kowloon side, a major bus terminus adjacent to the Star Ferry Pier, Tsim Sha Tsui handled thousands of passengers daily from 1957 until 2006. The inauguration of the Cross-Harbour Tunnel in 1972 redirected much traffic towards vehicular transportation; however, ferry services continued to be essential, with an average daily ridership of approximately 74,000 passengers recorded in 2004.

On Hong Kong Island, numerous bus routes operated by New World First Bus and Citybus, along with public light buses, provided extensive connections for commuters traveling to various locations.

Relocation

Discussions regarding relocating the Central Ferry Piers began in July 1999 following amendments made to the Central District (Extension) Outline Zoning Plan concerning the Central Reclamation III project. Both the third-generation Star Ferry Pier and Queen's Pier were designated for demolition to facilitate reclamation of approximately 16 hectares of land in front of the fourth-generation pier. This reclaimed area was planned for development into a six-lane road alongside a low-rise retail complex. The estimated budget for this undertaking was HK$3.5 billion. Despite demolition plans, authorities committed to preserving the historical essence of the third-generation pier by reconstructing it on the new waterfront.

An impact assessment conducted in 2001 recommended relocating the Star Ferry Pier, a proposal that received approval from the Antiquities Advisory Board in 2002.

Demolition

Prior to the pier’s demolition, 3D Laser Scanning technology was employed to create precise digital three-dimensional models of the structure.

Following its decommissioning on 12 November 2006, demolition commenced amidst public protests. Although initially planned for early 2007, the demolition date was advanced to 12 December 2006 despite a nonbinding motion by the Legislative Council advocating for the preservation of both the pier and its clock tower.

Demolition teams assumed control on 6 December, installing scaffolding and beginning dismantling operations on 12 December. The clock face and mechanism were carefully removed, and the clock tower was taken down intact. After dispersing demonstrators, the remainder of the pier was taken apart away from public view.

Controversy

While the area designated for phase 3 reclamation in Central was reduced from 32 hectares to 18 hectares, this project ultimately determined the piers’ fate. The pier became a central point of intense dispute between government authorities and conservation advocates who opposed further destruction of the harbour and loss of historic structures.

Consultants involved in the 2001 Environmental Impact Assessment for Central reclamation emphasized the pier’s important role in Hong Kong’s transportation history and warned that public opposition would escalate once the full consequences of reclamation were recognized.

The Government maintained that neither the pier nor its clock tower qualified as "historical" due to their relatively recent construction and downplayed public concern. Nonetheless, activists primarily aimed to protect a cherished public space and criticized urban planning policies perceived to prioritize commercial interests over community benefits. Efforts to save both the Star Ferry and Queen's Pier ignited wider discussions about Hong Kong’s historical narrative, colonial heritage, and democratic development within the HKSAR.

The Government underestimated the deep emotional connection residents had with this 49-year-old landmark, which held a significant place in Hong Kong’s collective memory. A spokesperson later acknowledged that the administration lacked legitimacy and failed to earn moral authority in managing this issue.

Loss of convenience

Relocating the piers approximately 300 m away is expected to reduce the Star Ferry’s passenger volume by more than 13%, primarily due to increased inconvenience. On the Tsim Sha Tsui side, shifting the bus terminus—a major feeder service for ferry passengers—is projected to further decrease ridership by around 20%. Combined, these adjustments could lead to a one-third reduction in total passengers, potentially causing an annual revenue decline of HK$17 million for Star Ferry.

Architectural importance

Architects and heritage advocates underscore the pier’s value as one of Hong Kong’s few surviving examples of Streamline Moderne public architecture, alongside other landmarks such as Central Market and Wan Chai Market, both also slated for demolition. The Hong Kong Institute of Architects warned that demolishing the pier would cause irreversible harm to local cultural heritage. Public opposition has inspired proposals to save the clock tower, including rerouting a planned six-lane road or relocating the tower as a commemorative monument near the new pier site.

State of the clock

The Government referenced expert opinions expressing concerns about the turret clock’s age and outdated components, suggesting there was no assurance it would remain operational after relocation. However, Neil Brennon Wright from Thwaites & Reed, a renowned historic clockmaker, noted successful restorations of clocks in worse condition. The Government pledged to "rebuild" the clock’s chimes and restore its original faces and mechanism at an adjacent location.

Public opinion

The predicted public backlash against the pier's destruction unfolded as local residents rallied to protect it, drawing significant media coverage. In the final weeks before operations ended, numerous Hong Kong citizens displayed banners and posted messages advocating for the pier's preservation.

On 11 November 2006, around 150,000 people traveled across the harbor using the pier. To mark the occasion, Star Ferry organized a "final voyage" event featuring four ferries departing at midnight; 1,800 passengers paid a special fare of $88—forty times the usual price—with all proceeds donated to charitable causes.

Activism and protests

On 19 November 2006, political parties such as the Civic Party and Democratic Party, alongside professional and environmental organizations, joined forces to encourage public backing for the pier’s conservation. They gathered over 1,000 signatures on a petition addressed to Chief Executive Donald Tsang and government officials. That same day saw the start of a peaceful sit-in demonstration, supported by veteran activist So Sau Chung.

After demolition began on 12 December 2006, opposition escalated following the removal of the bell and clock face. Protesters, including legislator Leung Kwok-hung, occupied part of the site demanding discussions with Michael Suen Ming-yeung, Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands. They formed a human chain in an effort to stop further demolition work.

Supporters included Civic Party legislators and pro-government councillor Choy So-yuk. The demolition faced widespread criticism from the public, lawmakers, and conservation advocates who contended that government actions disregarded community sentiment. Members of the Legislative Council introduced motions seeking to suspend demolition pending further consultation; nevertheless, officials proceeded, stating that adequate public engagement had taken place. The Conservancy Association highlighted that there had been no specific consultation regarding the pier’s dismantling.

Following demolition, government representatives indicated future decisions would prioritize citizens’ emotional connections over historical significance. Conservationists vowed to persist in their campaigns for Queen's Pier and other endangered heritage sites.

Reflecting strong public identification with the protests, ferry demonstrators were honored as "Person of the Year" by RTHK Radio 3 at the close of 2006. The movement’s central group, Local Action—a youthful collective focused on cultural and media activism—later played a role in shaping wider social movements in Hong Kong and mainland China. Representing a more assertive "post-80s" generation critical of government-business collusion, uneven development policies, Hong Kong’s subordinate position within China, and limited democratic freedoms, they actively campaigned for democratic reforms and opposed projects such as the Express Rail Link to Guangzhou.

Chronology of demonstrations

August 2006: Local artists known as "We Are Society," supported by Para/Site member Kith Tsang Tak-ping, launched performances and installations at Star Ferry Pier to raise public awareness.
19 November 2006: Advocacy groups gathered signatures for petitions; protesters commenced a sit-in at the pier.
6 December 2006: Demolition crews broke through a peaceful human chain formed by protesters and began erecting scaffolding around the area.
12 December 2006: Protesters occupied part of the site in an attempt to stop demolition activities.
13 December 2006: Demolition work resumed after police forcibly cleared all demonstrators from inside the site; protesters remained outside.
14 December 2006: Approximately 200 individuals held a candlelight vigil marking the pier’s 49th anniversary; activists breached police barricades to reclaim the building; thirteen protesters were detained overnight.

15 December 2006: Government efforts intensified against demonstrators with accelerated overnight demolition; the clock tower was removed intact. Twenty students initiated a 49-hour hunger strike sit-in symbolizing each year of the pier’s existence.
17 December 2006: Close to 200 participants marched to Government Headquarters demanding access to the Chief Executive; clashes ensued; conservationists reaffirmed their commitment to preserving Queen's Pier.
18 December 2006: Legislators criticized the demolition contractor’s reversal on selling salvaged materials to conservation groups and raised concerns about plans to dispose of the clock tower at landfill sites, calling for accountability regarding these remains.
19 December 2006: Reports surfaced that dismantling of the clock tower was underway at a landfill in Tuen Mun.
11 May 2007: Protester Ho Loy was found guilty of criminal damage for cutting demolition tarpaulin on 12 December 2006 and fined $800.

External links

Our Star Ferry