Woo Cheong Pawn Shop dining floors close in Wan Chai

The historic Woo Cheong Pawn Shop in Wan Chai, Hong Kong, has seen all its restaurant floors close simultaneously. The landmark, a row of Guangzhou-style tong lau built between 1888 and the early 1900s, was restored by the Urban Renewal Authority in 2007 for approximately HK$15 million to house upmarket dining and bars.

The building has faced a series of tenant departures, leading locals to refer to a “dining closure curse.” Following the 2021 departure of The Pawn and the 2023 exit of Woo Cheong Tea House, an Italian brand co-founded by actress Sophia Loren occupied the block. This venture, which included a pizzeria, fine dining, and a music lounge, has now ceased operations across all floors.

Analysts and locals suggest the closures may be driven by high heritage-restoration rents and a shifting demographic. High monthly rents, exceeding HK$300,000 for street-level space, combined with the departure of the expatriate crowd that previously supported premium concepts, have made the business model difficult to sustain in the current economic climate.