It’s rare to see older buildings in Hong Kong given a second life with intention. In the heart of Hong Kong Island stands PMQ—formerly the Police Married Quarters. Built in the 1950s to house married police officers and their families, this colonial-era complex has been reimagined as a creative hub for the local art scene, entrepreneurs, and one of the most vibrant creative spaces in Hong Kong.
PMQ feels more like a creative local village than a commercial complex. The four-storey structure wraps around a courtyard. Small studios open onto breezy corridors. Most spaces are under 50 m²—just enough for a designer to sketch, build, and connect. You’ll find design studios, artisan shops, restaurants, and shared workspaces. There are also temporary studios for visiting creatives, exhibition areas that often feature work by local Hong Kong designers, a rooftop garden, and outdoor gathering spots. The atmosphere is creative, full of unexpected finds.
Fashion, homeware, and design curiosities fill the studios—with a distinctly local flavour. GLUE Associates has been part of PMQ since the start. The shop mixes design accessories and fashion with a touch of humour. The BeCandle Dim Sum candle has become somewhat iconic—famous dumplings like siu mai or siu long bao are immortalised in wax. Each handmade piece mimics the real thing, right down to the bamboo steaming box. They almost look too real to light. They altered it recently, so you can’t light the wax anymore—which I find a bit of a shame.
Down the corridor, Glocal Mahjong offers a fresh take on an old classic. The shop annex studio has a great collection of Mahjong sets, small design items, fashion and accessories. They even offer introductory lessons for enthusiasts—perfect for anyone wanting to get a feel for the rules and rhythm of the game. I always used to play with my mum and sisters, so seeing this shop brings back great memories. These Hong Kong enterpreneurs also have workshops where you can paint your own personalised mahjong stones.
On another floor, there are a lot of food-related entrepreneurs. One worth mentioning is “T/EA”. This modern tea corner is a calm spot to catch your breath. The menu offers a nice balance of classic and unexpected. A few other cafes and food spots in the building follow the same pattern—small, focused, and full of character. It’s this perfect blend of design and food that makes PMQ stand out among public spaces in Hong Kong.
There are also design studios like Architecture and all and Beams Creative. They work across design and spatial concepts, often with a local perspective. Hong Kong fashion designer Harrison Wong and Janko Lam’s CLASSICS Anew add a different energy to the mix. CLASSICS Anew plays with traditional Chinese tailoring. Their signature denim qipao or cheongsam is a good example of where heritage meets modern experiment.
Throughout the year, PMQ also plays host to exhibitions, pop-ups, markets, and small festivals. On the top floor is a kitchen studio that can be hired for private workshops, presentations or video shoots. Hong Kong Content creators often shoot their recipe videos here, taking advantage of the natural light and sleek kitchen setup. It’s also where many of the building’s creatives casually meet and eat.
This former architectural highlight is preserved with love and creativity. And a special spot on the upper terrace is perfect to grab lunch or to see the part of the Central area skyline. Here, Hong Kong’s independent design scene—especially through its many design studios—is nurtured. You can meet the next wave of creative talents and try new food trends. It’s also a great place to support the growing local art scene. I even picked up a few one-of-a-kind souvenirs.
More at pmq.org.hk
All images are taken by author or courtesy of PMQ.
