Central Market (1st generation) [c.1840-????]

Mentions in Eitel's "Europe in China. The history of Hongkong from the beginning to the year 1882", published in 1895:

• early 1841: "[there was] a considerable influx of Chinese provision dealers (who settled near the site of the present Central Market, soon known as 'the Bazaar')"
• August 1841: "[the typhoon] was followed a few weeks later by a conflagration (August 12, 1841) which destroyed the greater part of the Bazaar."
• June 1842: "The Central Market, then South of Queen's Road, opposite its present site, was formally opened (June 10, 1842) and farmed out to a Chinaman (Afoon); "
• July 1844: "By the opening of a new market (July '2b, 1844) at Taipingshan, the congested state of the Chungwan and Sheungwan markets was considerably relieved."

HONGKONG MARKET PLACE.

THIS convenient building so much required was opened on Monday last. We were much pleased with the Show made on the occasion. The crowd of buyers and sellers which thronged its spacious area, afforded a convincing proof of the necessity for its erection. The exhibition of Fruit and Vegetables was large and its effect was very pleasing. The singular variety of fish exposed, would afford many subjects of interest to the ichthyologist. From an attentive inspection of the plan and proposed arrangements, we are led to believe the successful opening of the market may be looked upon, as conclusive evidence of the ability of the projector, to render it every way adequate to meet the pressing requirements of our daily increasing population.

Source: The Friend of China and Government Gazette, Thursday May 19^th, 1842

On the Plan of Victoria, Hong Kong produced in 1845, the name "Government Market No. 1" was added to this location [see 1845 map on Gwulo]. The opposite narrow uphill street was named Cochrane Street on this map. This proves that the first marketplace was erected in the exact location of the current Central Market.

The Plan of Victoria, Hong Kong (1845) showed that Central Market was enclosed by walls. A small structure, which could be steps or an entrance gate, was erected on Queen's Road. The buildings were constructed on the southern and western edges of the site, whereas an ample open space was reserved on the northeastern corner for future expansion of the market. The biggest building was surrounded by colonnade, which suggests that it could be an open shed without any enclosures. Two paintings produced in the 1850s provide some ideas of the appearance of Central Market. The watercolour painting by George Chinnery in 1851 depicts a view of Central from Victoria Harbour. On the right-hand side of the painting is the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation (P&O) Headquarters. The painting shows that Central Market, which was adjacent to P&O Headquarters, consisted of several houses with gable roofs. The market was enclosed by walls with three entrance gates opening toward the seaside. 

Another watercolour painting produced in 1855 by an unknown artist shows some Central Market buildings next to P&O Headquarters. The looks of these market buildings are similar to those depicted by Chinnery.

Source and further reading: Everyday Architecture in Context: Public Markets in Hong Kong (1842-1981), The Chinese University of Hong Kong 2023 (thanks to moddsey who discovered this source)