Proposed locations

In Outline Zoning Plan No. S/H3/20, the Planning Department of the government indicated one possible location under Des Voeux Road West at Ko Shing Street as of December 2003. A ventilation shaft marked with MTR notices can be found at the intersection. A large void facing Des Voeux Road West, sealed, can also be found at a nearby medical centre, which some have speculated that it was reserved for a to-be-built exit. These findings suggest that this was original proposed location.^[4]

However, in proposals submitted to the government by the MTR in May 2002, the proposed station was shifted further west to the intersection of Des Voeux Road West and Water Street.^[5]

In March 2004, the MTR moved the station back east but south of the initial alignment under King George V Memorial Park. A source from the MTR Corporation (MTRC) revealed to the local newspaper Ming Pao that this location was chosen to avoid any nuisance during works under major roads. The location would also better suit the needs of Mid-Levels residents, the source said.

Design and construction

The MTR Corporation let out a tender for the construction of the Sai Ying Pun and HKU stations and 2.2 km (1.4 mi) of tunnel. In 2009 the design and architecture work was awarded to Aedas in a joint venture with AECOM.^[6] In March 2010, it was awarded to a joint venture of Gammon Construction and Nishimatsu Construction (西松建設) for HK$4.7 billion.^[7] Construction commenced in 2010 and was completed in 2015. The station opened later than the other two on the West Island line due to construction delays resulting from soft ground conditions. Exit B3 construction was delayed for the same reason.^[3][8] Other elements of the construction included demolition of the Centre Street cooked food centre, the Ki Ling Lane children's playground, and the Whitty Street public toilet.^[9]

The station is home to a work of art entitled "Street Scenes of Sai Ying Pun", a collage of monochrome photos by artist Tse Ming-chong and the Hong Kong Youth Arts Foundation. It is located between the concourse and Exit B1/B2.^[10]

The pedestrian passage between Exit A and the concourse is very long, and has drawn complaints from some residents.^[11]

Island line western extension opened on 28 December 2014, but Sai Ying Pun station did not open until 29 March 2015.

Entrances and exits

Sai Ying Pun station has a total of 6 entrances/exits. Like its neighbouring HKU station, the station is characterised by the long corridors linking the concourse with the exits, due to the fact that the station box is located underneath the Mid-Levels.

• A1: Queen's Road West (near Sai Woo Lane), Ramada Hong Kong Harbour View, Tung Wah Hospital^[13][14]
• A2: Des Voeux Road West, Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park, Eco Tree Hotel^[13][14]
• B1: First Street, Centre Street Market^[13][14]
• B2: Second Street, 1/F Centre Street Market, Island Crest^[13][14]
• B3: Ki Ling Lane (ArtLane), Andes Plaza, Western District Headquarters and Police Station^[13][14]
• C: Bonham Road, David Trench Rehabilitation Centre, Sai Ying Pun Community Complex^[13][14]

Exit B3 (Ki Ling Lane) opened on 27 March 2016; its construction was delayed by difficult ground conditions. Lifts were opened for public use on 25 June 2016.^[1][15]

• 
  Entrance and Exit A1
• 
  Entrance and Exit A2
• 
  Entrance and Exit B1
• 
  Entrance and Exit B2
• 
  Entrance and Exit B3
• 
  Entrance and Exit C