UA Langham Place (Mong Kok) / UA 朗豪坊戲院 [2004-2014]

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Submitted by OldTimer on Sun, 2017-03-12 00:55

Current condition:

Demolished / No longer exists

Date Place completed:

2004-11-05

Date Place demolished:

2014-07-01

Address: 8 Argyle Street, Langham Place, Mong Kok, Kowloon, Hong Kong

UA Langham Place operated during the period November 5, 2004 - July 1, 2014. It was one of the first tenants in the new mall constructed in 2004. As with some theatres that were about to close, it offered free admission on the last day of operation, July 1, no seat reservation, to thank patrons for their support. The place was later turned into Cinema City Langham which continues to operate today.

To make way for the construction of the mall, the old "Bird Street" (雀仔街) at Hong Lok Street, home to many grassroots birdsellers, was demolished. I remember in the late 1950s, there were some bird business operating in pre-war buildings, and one tea restaurant was Kay Hong Tea House on the second level facing Shanghai Street (上海街-奇香茶樓). Walking up to the second level tea house was like being in a tropical forest but essentially most birds there were within five or so species. It was a noisy and lively place. The hobbyists were men in their 40s and older. Some bird sellers brought along 3 or 4 cages to display their birds. The tea house had overhead rails for patrons to place their cages, some crafted skillfully by their owners using bamboos.

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