Crossing Hennessy - Jacky Cheung (2010) - Luard Road

After droppping the gifted humidifier back to Loy's shop, and stumbling in on Loy's mum ranting about why he didn't tell her Oi Lin already had a boyfriend, Oi Lin walks off for some introspection. She leaves the shop and can be seen walking down the southern section of Luard Road with the "Pawn" in the background. For those who are unaware the "Pawn" was a former block of four shophouses (60A to 66 Johnston Road) that were 'revitalised' and preserved rather than the usual demolition. The saving was applauded (by me too, as anyone who knows me knows I am a big fan of these pre-war buildings), but the subsequent decision to lease the place to an upmarket restaurant beyond the reach of grassroots locals was a very typical move for Hong Kong. It wasn't helped by the fact that the roof space was designated as public space, but the restaurant took great pains to stop people using it until they were called out in the local (now defunct) press. You can see how the block looked in 1989 here.

Yellowthread Street (TV Series) - Bruce Payne (1990) - No.60 to 66 Johnston Road, Wanchai

No.60 to 66 Johnston Road, or as many people in Hong Kong now know it - The Pawn. Before it became a rather posh restaurant - much to the disappointment of those who felt it should have been converted into something a bit more accessible to the general public - The Pawn was in fact a block of four old shophouses including a pawnshop called the 和昌大押 or Wo Cheong Pawnshop.

Anyway, it gets a brief background role in its former shambolic splendour as Pak & Co drive away down Luard Road.

And below is a recent snap from Streetview. Note you can also see Trust Tower in both the film grabs and the Streetview picture - it's the building on the left of the pictures.