Retail Construction Cost Planning: Wong Tai Sin, Hong Kong SAR, China

Wong Tai Sin retail 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 1818304). The PLI is not a city cost/m² rate, current escalation series or tender estimate.

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Direct answer

For early retail construction cost planning in Wong Tai Sin, 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 Wong Tai Sin 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 Wong Tai Sin market basket or current retail tenders. GeoNames 1818304 records the locality at 22.3500, 114.1833, with snapshot population 425,235. That ranks Wong Tai Sin 9 of 50 listed places, while Tsz Wan Shan is the nearest listed peer at about 2 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 retail work in Wong Tai Sin costs 1.418 times a current world rate.

Which Wong Tai Sin inputs are known?

The reproducible locality point is 22.3500, 114.1833 (GeoNames 1818304). Its snapshot population is 425,235, ranked 9 of 50 listed places; GeoNames classifies it as a first-order administrative seat in administrative area KWT. These facts shape the local comparable search, not the price.

What must a project estimate add?

For a Wong Tai Sin retail project, reconcile shell condition, tenant fit-out, servicing, trading constraints and landlord works. 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

Wong Tai Sin 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 Wong Tai Sin	Snapshot population	Admin area
Tsz Wan Shan	2	37,242	KWT
Kowloon City Centre	2	194,290	KKC
Kowloon City	2	418,732	KKC
Kowloon West End	2	74,710	KKC
Kai Tak	3	42,552	KKC
Sham Shui Po	3	431,090	KSS
Tseung Kwan O	7	412,900	NSK
Sha Tin	4	495,200	NST

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 Wong Tai Sin adjustment	Not asserted	Replace with current local comparable evidence
Result status	Screening normalization	Not a budget, quote or tender estimate

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 1818304). The PLI is not a city cost/m² rate, current escalation series or tender estimate.

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Frequently asked questions

Does the 141.8 index give a retail cost per m² for Wong Tai Sin?

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 Wong Tai Sin HKD/m² rate, escalation index, quote or tender estimate.

How should a Wong Tai Sin retail estimate replace this screening benchmark?

Collect current Wong Tai Sin comparables on a consistent gross-floor-area basis, reconcile shell condition, tenant fit-out, servicing, trading constraints and landlord works, 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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