Living in Noho in around Gough Street

The first time I was aware of the name Noho was seeing it written down in an advertisement from a realtor near me for a flat to rent. I thought, oh this must be a typo and they meant to write Soho. But no, this was not a typo and it was not until someone explained to me that Soho is South of Hollywood Road and therefore Noho was obviously referring to the area that is North of Hollywood Road. Glad to have gotten that cleared up.

So, Noho. This less referred to district has streets such as lower Aberdeen, Gage, Gough, Mee Lun, Wellington, Kau U Fong and more. For some years Gough Street has been the darling of homewares and interior design concepts, with cool shops such as Timothy Olton, Raw and Home. These shops specialize in perfect pieces for your apartment and are “must-wander” locations on a Saturday or Sunday because of their retail showrooms.

Agnes B café has been a permanent fixture for a number of years on Gough Street, the perfect place to take a load off and enjoy some delicious and reasonable food. More recently opened is the opulent Gough on Gough, whose fit-out includes a monstrous fish tank on entry, a very stylish interior with a spiral staircase to take you up to the dining area and delicious food when you get there. Gough Street is probably best known for the two local “street dining” restaurants that have been here for decades and were frequented by the late Anthony Bourdain, amongst other visiting food celebrities. It’s no surprise to see a long queue snaking its way down the street at any given time to try the delicious and cheap local fare.

Gage Street has a completely different vibe. This has the famous wet markets where locals and visitors alike go to buy fresh meat, fruits, and vegetables. Recently upgraded, with the addition of more permanent structures and shops, this street is a magnet for photographers capturing the real-life imagery of what’s left of Old Hong Kong. A French deli and a few dumpling houses have opened on this bustling street where pedestrians, trucks, and motorbikes merge in a colourful blur. Aberdeen Street runs steeply downhill as one of the main thoroughfares in the area and is lined with boutique shops selling handmade one-off pieces and imported jewellery, fashion and accessories at street level and apartments, work rooms and offices above.

Living in Noho

Noho has always been a desirable location to live. Although placed between busy Central and Soho, Noho offers some unbelievably quiet and tranquil streets that will surprise you such as Mee Lun and Shing Wong. These streets are both pedestrian access only with steps to take you off the busy Hollywood Road down to Gough Street. Lined with older buildings that range from 5 stories to 10, you can find the perfect inner-city pad and still get a good night’s sleep. Due to the age of most of these buildings, you may find they are walk up only, and as long as you don’t mind the extra daily exercise to keep fit, you will be rewarded with higher ceilings, often an outdoor terrace or roof space and some very cool renovations. Both streets have a mix of retail and commercial at ground level which close up early each evening. There are strict noise regulations in place to respect the residents’ privacy and peace.

Engel and Volkers’ product portfolio ranges from elite homes, luxury mansions, premium residential properties, and other real estate for sale in Hong Kong. A reputable and respected local real estate agent can assist you in the process of finding apartments in Noho.

Easy Transport

Getting anywhere from Noho is a dream in a city such as Hong Kong. Taxis are in abundance, both Sheung Wan and Central MTR stations are a five-minute walk, and there are more restaurants and food outlets than you could ever cover in a lifetime. The entertainment districts of Soho, Central and Lan Kwai Fong are all only a quick walk away, and definitely a quick walk home at night. Noho’s studios and 2-bedroom apartments make it perfect for working singles and couples who want to have it all during their time in Hong Kong.