Hong Kong proposes grade 2 heritage status for Kennedy Town selfie spot sea wall

A sea wall at a popular selfie spot along Kennedy Town’s waterfront could soon gain grade 2 status after authorities proposed listing it as a historic structure, though experts say creative storytelling will be key to bringing the site’s heritage to life.

According to a document from the Antiquities and Monuments Office, the Historic Buildings Assessment Panel recommended that the New Praya sea wall in Kennedy Town be given proposed grade 2 status following an assessment.

Subject to members’ endorsement, the office would upload the proposed grading to the Antiquities Advisory Board’s website for a one-month public consultation, the document said.

Hong Kong classifies historic buildings into three grades. Grade 2 is for structures of special merit, for which efforts should be made to achieve selective preservation.

According to authorities, the New Praya sea wall may be more than 100 years old and is believed to be one of the oldest sea walls along the northern shore of Hong Kong Island.

The government earlier said, in its proposal to build an offshore pedestrian walkway along New Praya, that the sea wall’s potential heritage value would continue to be taken into account.