Yau Ma Tei Wholesale Fruit Market
油麻地果欄
1913, Streetscapes, Landscapes & Infrastructural Facilities 街貌、景觀及基礎建設
Imagine the scene in early 20th century, when agricultural villages in New Territories were not well connected with city, farmers would take poultry and vegetables to Tsuen Wan, transport to Yaumatei coast by boats, and to carry out flourishing transactions in haystack stalls along the shore. In 20s & 30s, when the government permits stall merchants to erect permanent buildings, the place would be laid in the rows as in South China markets. These neat two storey brick and tiled buildings, with store above shops, adopting the trendy Art Deco style, and delicate wash grano signbands, illustrate the prosperity of the market then. Post-war government made this into a fruit wholesale market, and it still serves important functions for fruit industry in Hong Kong including logistics and bidding. The market is listed as grade II historic building.
幻想20世紀初新界農村與市區交通不便，農民將家禽蔬果送到荃灣，從水路運到油麻地岸邊草棚市集交易的繁華景象。至二三十年代，政府讓欄商興建固定樓房，這裏就以華南市集的排屋佈局發展，整齊的兩層磚牆瓦項建築，以下舖上倉的形式運作，采用當時流行的裝飾藝術風格，和精巧的水磨石招牌，顯示當時市況繁盛。戰後政府將這裏發展作生果批發市場，時至今日仍服務著本港果業物流和競投等重要工作。果欄已列為二級歷史建築。
文：梁以華 (香港註冊建築師)
攝影：吳啟聰 (香港註冊建築師)
http://www.etnet.com.hk/www/tc/diva/art_hkac_detail.php?id=29072&page=2
