Grand Century Place

Grand Century Place is a mixed-use commercial and hospitality complex in east Mong Kok, Hong Kong. Its principal retail component is MOKO, a multi-level shopping centre directly connected to Mong Kok East station, while the wider development also includes two office towers and the Royal Plaza Hotel, a five-star hotel adjoining the mall. The complex is therefore more accurately understood as a destination property than as a conventional standalone consumer brand. The development was originally designed with an ornate European palace-inspired interior. Its early architectural language used large Roman-style columns, ceiling murals, light golden-yellow granite and extensive decorative tiling. A circular atrium formed the centre of the original mall layout, with shops arranged around it in a 360-degree configuration. The atrium included a large television-screen installation and a computer-controlled musical fountain. Although distinctive, the layout was reportedly difficult for visitors to navigate, contributing to later modernization work. Renovation activity began in the early 2000s and subsequently reshaped the internal organization of the mall into four areas identified as A, B, C and D. A further major redevelopment commenced in 2011 and was completed in September 2015. The works altered the circulation plan, introduced a new entrance and replaced much of the earlier palace-style presentation with a more contemporary retail environment. The exterior was also redesigned with a glass frontage and a modern grey façade. During the later redevelopment, the mall’s floor numbering was reorganized. The first floor was converted into an MTR floor, with the upper levels renumbered accordingly and the previous omission of a fourth floor removed. The shopping centre was renamed MOKO in 2014, although its Chinese name remained unchanged. The relaunch involved substantial tenant turnover and the introduction of new retail, dining and grocery formats. Reported tenants and attractions after the refurbishment included Uniqlo, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein Jeans and Underwear, Food Opera, YATA Supermarket and Outback Steakhouse. The complex also contains connections to Royal Plaza Hotel through the MTR-level passage and through the hotel’s two-level La Scala restaurant. Grand Century Place’s operating proposition is based on integration: rail accessibility, shopping, food and beverage, offices and hotel accommodation are combined within a single urban development. Its connection to Mong Kok East station gives it a strong transit-oriented role, while MOKO’s retail and dining offer serves local residents, commuters, visitors and hotel guests. Publicly available reference material identifies the complex and its components but does not establish the ownership structure, founding date, developer, financial performance or current executive team.

Grand Century Place is a mixed-use development in east Mong Kok, Hong Kong, built around a shopping centre, office accommodation and a hotel. The retail component is now known as MOKO and is linked directly to Mong Kok East station. Royal Plaza Hotel stands beside the shopping centre and is connected to it through a passage at the MTR level as well as through the hotel’s La Scala restaurant. Two office towers form part of the broader complex. The original mall interior adopted a European palace theme. Decorative elements included oversized Roman columns, ceiling murals, pale golden-yellow granite and large patterned floor treatments. A circular atrium, approximately 30 metres in diameter, was used as the central organizing feature, with stores arranged around it. The atrium also contained large television screens and a computer-controlled musical fountain. While the design was visually distinctive, its circular circulation pattern reportedly made wayfinding difficult for some visitors. Modernization began in 2002 and changed the internal arrangement into four sections, designated A through D. A more extensive redevelopment started in 2011 and concluded in September 2015. The project changed the façade to a glass-fronted design and introduced a contemporary grey entrance bearing the MOKO name. It also reorganized the floor plan: the first floor became the MTR floor, the upper levels were renumbered, and the former practice of skipping the fourth floor was discontinued. The mall was renamed MOKO in 2014, while its Chinese name was retained. The redevelopment brought significant tenant changes and added or highlighted fashion, dining and grocery concepts. Publicly documented examples include Uniqlo, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein Jeans and Underwear, Food Opera, YATA Supermarket and Outback Steakhouse. The post-renovation centre was positioned as a modern, accessible retail destination integrated with railway transport and nearby hotel and office uses. Available reference material does not identify a founding year, original developer, current owner, parent group, financial results or named executives. The complex is described as an operating Hong Kong property, but its corporate ownership and management arrangements require further verification.

• 2015

  Major refurbishment completed

  [1]Grand Century Placeen.wikipedia.org

  The large-scale renovation was completed in September, including a new entrance, redesigned façade and updated retail environment.

• 2014

  Shopping centre renamed MOKO

  [1]Grand Century Placeen.wikipedia.org

  The mall adopted the MOKO name while retaining its existing Chinese name.

• 2013

  Floor-plan and numbering changes introduced

  [1]Grand Century Placeen.wikipedia.org

  The first floor was converted into an MTR floor, the remaining levels were renumbered and the mall ceased skipping the fourth floor.

• 2011

  Major redevelopment commences

  [1]Grand Century Placeen.wikipedia.org

  A comprehensive refurbishment of the shopping-centre component began, covering the internal layout, entrance and exterior presentation.

• 2002

  Modernization of the original mall layout begins

  [1]Grand Century Placeen.wikipedia.org

  Renovation work began to address the difficult navigation created by the original circular atrium layout and reorganized the mall into four internal areas.

A transit-connected mixed-use destination combining contemporary shopping, dining, offices and five-star hotel accommodation in Mong Kok.

• Shopping centre · 2014

  MOKO

  The principal retail component of Grand Century Place, MOKO occupies seven reported levels comprising the MTR floor and Levels 1 through 6. It offers fashion, dining, grocery and general retail services and is directly connected to Mong Kok East station. Its current presentation followed a major redevelopment that replaced much of the original palace-themed interior with a more contemporary environment.

• Hotel

  Royal Plaza Hotel

  A five-star hotel located beside the shopping centre within the Grand Century Place complex. It is connected to MOKO through a passage on the MTR level and through the two-level La Scala restaurant, linking the hospitality component with the mall’s retail and dining functions.

• Office property

  Office towers

  Two office towers form part of the wider Grand Century Place development. Publicly available reference material confirms their inclusion in the complex but does not provide detailed information about their tenants, floor area or management.

• 2014

  Adoption of the MOKO retail identityStrategy

  Background

  The shopping centre underwent a broad repositioning after years of modernization intended to improve circulation, update the design and refresh the tenant mix.

  Action taken

  The mall was renamed MOKO, while its Chinese name was retained. The visual identity, entrance and retail environment were updated as part of the redevelopment.

  Aftermath

  The refurbished centre presented a more contemporary shopping and dining proposition and continued to operate as the retail component of the larger Grand Century Place complex.

  Source

1. 1Grand Century Placeen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Grand Century Place official websitegrandcenturyplace.com.hk