Times Square (Hong Kong)
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Real estate, Retail |
| Founded | April 13, 1994 |
| Founder | The Wharf (Holdings) Limited |
| Headquarters | Causeway Bay, Hong Kong , Hong Kong |
| Products | Shopping centre, Office towers |
| Owner | Wharf Properties (subsidiary of The Wharf (Holdings) Limited) |
| Website | www |
Times Square () is a high-end shopping centre and office tower development situated in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong. It is owned by Wharf Properties, a subsidiary of The Wharf (Holdings) Limited group, and officially opened its doors on 13 April 1994.
History
Previously, the location served as the Sharp Street tram depot operated by Hong Kong Tramways, a company acquired by Wharf in 1974. In July 1986, the Executive Council approved moving the depots to Sai Wan Ho and Sai Ying Pun to reduce operating expenses by HK$3.5 million, helping to keep tram fares affordable. Additionally, noise from tram maintenance had been disturbing nearby residents.
At that time, the area was predominantly residential, leading the Town Planning Board to mandate that redevelopment exclude housing units. In July 1987, Wharf submitted plans for a combination of office and retail facilities. After relocating the Wanchai depot, ownership of the site was transferred to an associate company of Wharf in 1988.
By 1991, detailed proposals outlined a retail and office complex covering 186,000 m2 with an estimated construction cost of HK$2 billion. Although there were initial doubts about the location’s attractiveness, financial challenges related to developer debt, and uncertainties surrounding sovereignty that complicated funding, the project ultimately converted what was once a less desirable segment of Wanchai/Causeway Bay into a prime commercial hub.
Project configuration
The development features 83,700 m2 allocated for retail purposes alongside two office towers providing a combined total of 102,300 m2 of workspace.
Shopping centre
Times Square is acknowledged as Hong Kong’s pioneering "vertical mall," a concept driven by limited land availability and strong demand for retail property returns. The shopping area extends across nine levels connected by extensive escalators running from the ground podium up to the first mall floor. Notably, the ground level includes Hong Kong’s sole spiral escalator.
A renovation in 2015 added express escalators within the central atrium and reorganized service routes and parking access to accommodate a new key tenant.
Major tenants include Lane Crawford and city'super. In late 2021, Emperor Cinemas completed refurbishment on UA Cine Times Cinema located within Times Square.
Office buildings
Wharf continues to own the complex, which consists of two office towers named "Shell Tower" (east) and "Tower One" (west). Both structures were designed by Wong & Ouyang.
- Tower One: NatWest Tower: This tower reaches 193.9 meters in height with 46 floors, making it the 74th tallest building in Hong Kong.
- Tower Two: Shell Tower: Standing at 168.8 meters tall with 39 floors.
Among prominent occupants in Tower Two is Google Hong Kong (Suite 2501).
Christmas and New Year celebrations
Modeled after New York City’s Times Square ball drop tradition, the plaza outside the complex hosted New Year’s Eve events featuring an apple “drop” from a 22-meter electronic display. This celebration took place annually from 1993 until 2014; starting in 2015, it was replaced by an afternoon concert series during the holiday period.
Public open space controversy
According to a Deed of Dedication with the Government, a portion of ground floor space was allocated for public use including pedestrian passage and passive recreation. However, the owner retained rights to hold exhibitions and impose fees, with specific terms not publicly disclosed.
From July 2003 to March 2005, part of the piazza was leased to Starbucks Coffee—an arrangement later identified as an "unintentional oversight" that was rectified following notification from the Buildings Department.
In 2008, complaints emerged regarding private security personnel limiting public access to the space; management apologized for their "over-zealous" conduct. This incident sparked wider calls across Hong Kong for reviewing public open space policies and government agreements with developers. Alan Leong criticized certain public spaces’ quality and called for clearer regulatory oversight.
The Secretary for Justice initiated legal action against Times Square Ltd and its parent company Wharf Group in the High Court seeking recovery of rental fees amounting up to HK$124,000 per day for use of the Causeway Bay piazza dating back to 1993. This landmark case could set precedent affecting other property owners if upheld. The company asserts its charges comply with the deed but welcomes judicial interpretation to clarify its terms.
Transport
Times Square can be reached via the Causeway Bay station on the Mass Transit Railway network, which features an underground walkway connecting directly to the building, with exit A1 leading into the podium level on the ground floor. Additionally, the location is accessible by tram lines traveling toward Happy Valley or Shau Kei Wan, along with multiple bus and minibus options.
Cultural reference
In the 2003 movie Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life, the Times Square Marketplace Mall is depicted as a department store labeled 'closed for renovation,' which serves as a front for a biological weapons manufacturing site.
See also
External links
- Official Times Square Website
- The Wharf Holdings Limited – proprietor of the complex