Construction Costs
Office Construction Cost Planning: Mong Kok, Hong Kong SAR, China
Mong Kok office cost planning using the World Bank ICP 2021 national construction price-level index of 141.8, plus a GeoNames-based local comparable-search shortlist.
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Last updated September 15, 2026 · National screening observation from the [World Bank ICP 2021 API](https://api.worldbank.org/v2/sources/90/country/HKG/classification/PX.WL/series/1501200/time/YR2021/data?format=json) and [ICP data documentation](https://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/icp/data); locality and population from the [GeoNames HK dump](https://download.geonames.org/export/dump/HK.zip) (CC BY 4.0 snapshot 2026-08-26, GeoNames ID 1819353). The PLI is not a city cost/m² rate, current escalation series or tender estimate.
Direct answer
For early office construction cost planning in Mong Kok, the World Bank ICP reports a 2021 Hong Kong SAR, China construction price-level index of 141.8, with the world equal to 100. This is a national comparison—not a Mong Kok HKD/m² rate or tender estimate—so replace it with current local evidence before budgeting or procurement. The observation covers construction across Hong Kong SAR, China in 2021; it does not measure a Mong Kok market basket or current office tenders. GeoNames 1819353 records the locality at 22.3194, 114.1714, with snapshot population 62,967. That ranks Mong Kok 32 of 50 listed places, while Kowloon is the nearest listed peer at about 1 km. Use these facts only to plan the comparable search. Obtain current local rates on a consistent area basis, then reconcile scope, taxes, fees, contingency and escalation. Retain the source, base date and reviewer when local evidence replaces the screening ratio.
Content and cited inputs reviewed by Scott Barrington, Harth founder and architectural technology specialist · Published 2026-08-26 · Updated 2026-09-15.
What does the 141.8 construction index mean?
The World Bank ICP 2021 construction PLI for Hong Kong SAR, China is 141.8, compared with a world benchmark of 100. It is a national spatial price comparison assembled for the 2021 reference year. It does not say that office work in Mong Kok costs 1.418 times a current world rate.
Which Mong Kok inputs are known?
The reproducible locality point is 22.3194, 114.1714 (GeoNames 1819353). Its snapshot population is 62,967, ranked 32 of 50 listed places; GeoNames classifies it as a first-order administrative seat in administrative area KYT. These facts shape the local comparable search, not the price.
What must a project estimate add?
For a Mong Kok office project, reconcile workplace fit-out grade, services density, floorplate efficiency and vertical transport. Use a consistent gross-floor-area basis and record the following before reliance.
| Estimate field | Screening record | Project requirement |
|---|---|---|
| National context | ICP 2021 PLI 141.8 | Retain only as dated cross-country context |
| Local HKD/m² rate | Not supplied | Current comparable with named source and base date |
| Area and scope | Gross floor area; scope unresolved | Measurement standard, specification and procurement route |
| Additions | Not supplied | Taxes, fees, site work, contingency and escalation |
| Review | Automated source and arithmetic QA | Qualified local cost review |
Mong Kok comparable-location search screen
This shortlist is computed from the checked GeoNames snapshot. Distance and population help prioritize where to request comparables; neither is used as a cost multiplier.
| Listed place | Great-circle km from Mong Kok | Snapshot population | Admin area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kowloon | 1 | 2,232,339 | 00 |
| Jordan | 2 | 41,537 | KYT |
| Sham Shui Po | 2 | 431,090 | KSS |
| Kowloon West End | 2 | 74,710 | KKC |
| Nam Cheong | 2 | 74,780 | KSS |
| Siu Lek Yuen | 8 | 57,349 | NST |
| Sau Mau Ping | 7 | 54,218 | KKT |
Price-level normalization worksheet
For a validated reference rate R from a country with construction PLI P, the transparent screening calculation is R × (141.8 ÷ P). At P = 100 the dimensionless ratio is 1.418; no world cost rate is asserted. Keep the reference rate's currency, base date, area basis and scope attached.
| Input | Recorded value | Release condition |
|---|---|---|
| Target national PLI | 141.8 (World = 100, 2021) | Screening context only |
| Reference construction PLI P | User-supplied from the same ICP classification/year | Must match reference rate country |
| Validated reference rate R | User-supplied | Named source, currency, date, area and scope |
| Local Mong Kok adjustment | Not asserted | Replace with current local comparable evidence |
| Result status | Screening normalization | Not a budget, quote or tender estimate |
Where can you explore related guidance?
- Explore all construction costs guidance
- House Construction Cost Planning: Mong Kok, Hong Kong SAR, China
- School Construction Cost Planning: Mong Kok, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Retail Construction Cost Planning: Mong Kok, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Office Construction Cost Planning: Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
- All construction costs guidance for Hong Kong
- Daylight & Orientation: Mong Kok, Hong Kong
- Solar Altitude & Azimuth: Mong Kok, Hong Kong
- Solar Shading Design: Mong Kok, Hong Kong
- Sun Path: Mong Kok, Hong Kong
Sources and method
National screening observation from the World Bank ICP 2021 API and ICP data documentation; locality and population from the GeoNames HK dump (CC BY 4.0 snapshot 2026-08-26, GeoNames ID 1819353). The PLI is not a city cost/m² rate, current escalation series or tender estimate.
Source links
Frequently asked questions
Does the 141.8 index give a office cost per m² for Mong Kok?
No. 141.8 is the World Bank ICP 2021 national construction price-level index for Hong Kong SAR, China, with the world equal to 100. It is a cross-country screening statistic, not a Mong Kok HKD/m² rate, escalation index, quote or tender estimate.
How should a Mong Kok office estimate replace this screening benchmark?
Collect current Mong Kok comparables on a consistent gross-floor-area basis, reconcile workplace fit-out grade, services density, floorplate efficiency and vertical transport, and state base date, currency, taxes, fees, site work, contingency and escalation. A qualified local cost professional should review the resulting project estimate.
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