Attracting Visitors with a Youthful Sensibility
On May 14, Dong-gu District in Gwangju announced that it had recently finalized the lease contract for the site of the 'Hong Kong Street' project, which is being developed in Chungjangro 3-ga as part of the Chungjang Commercial District Renaissance Project. The district stated that it aims to complete the project by June.
Chungjangro, which once experienced a period of stagnation, has seen tangible results such as a rent reduction agreement for commercial spaces and an increase in foot traffic, thanks to joint efforts with local merchants through the Chungjang Commercial District Revitalization Project that has been underway since 2022.
In response, Dong-gu began creating 'Hong Kong Street' in August 2024, adding unique features to a roughly 70-meter section of Chungjangro Angil. The goal is to attract visitors by infusing a youthful sensibility into the area. In particular, the district plans to invest 200 million won to complete the project by June, aiming to attract more young people and create a downtown commercial area where visitors can linger.
Originally, 'Hong Kong Street' was scheduled for completion in February 2025, with the street design, tenant composition, and sales recipes already finalized. However, the project was delayed due to rent adjustment issues during the site selection process. After requests from Dong-gu, landlords, and neighboring merchants, the building owner of the project site agreed to lower the rent on May 13, allowing the project to move forward and be completed soon.
'Hong Kong Street' is not simply an imitation of Hong Kong as a global tourist destination, but is designed to evoke the authentic atmosphere of Hong Kong itself. The area will feature a variety of establishments, including restaurants, pubs, dessert cafes, and whiskey bars. In addition, outdoor tables, neon signs, Chinese character sculptures, and Hong Kong-style signboards will be installed to recreate the ambiance of Hong Kong and attract visitors.
The site selected for 'Hong Kong Street' is an area densely packed with long-vacant stores. Although the site is not large, it offers an opportunity to transform the space into a 'small but attractive' area without overextending local resources. Dong-gu intends to use Hong Kong Street as a catalyst to energize the entire Chungjangro area by fostering a vibrant mix of shopping, food, and culture that will have a positive impact on surrounding alleys.
Jung Ilseong, president of the Chungjangro 1-3-ga Merchants Association, said, "Chungjangro has always been the most stylish commercial district in Gwangju, and the creation of Hong Kong Street will help restore its reputation. We are grateful to the building owner for lowering the rent, and the merchants are also highly anticipating the project. We will ensure the area is developed safely so that it contributes to revitalizing the local economy."
Lim Taek, head of Dong-gu District, stated, "It is significant that we are addressing the previous weakness of Chungjangro, where foot traffic dropped sharply in the evening, by creating a space where people can stay even at night. We will work to ensure that 'Hong Kong Street' evolves into an 'alley where consumption lingers' and a 'street alive with youthful energy,' bringing new vitality to the local commercial district."
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