Central Market, After Renovation

Central Market built in 1937 and completely renovated in 2011 is one of Darryl Collins’s Favorite architectures in Cambodia. I took the photos below for some months ago.

This quintessential southeast Asian colonial Art Deco market was built on reclaimed land over a former swamp. Its moderne design and the technology employed in its construction, ranks it as one of the most important 30s buildings remaining in Phnom Penh. Designed by Desbois and engineered by Chauchon, it still functions as the main market. One of the shopping highlights of Phnom Penh, a lively, bustling affair filled with fresh daily goods, clothes and household wares, it has most recently undergone a facelift orchestrated by the Phnom Penh Municipality. Source Asian Life

Bangkok-ized Phnom Penh?

In the recent years, many high-rises have come one after another, especially along Monivong Blvd. Since public transportation in Phnom Penh is barely exists, future congestion is pretty imaginable. During this long holiday, I were able to get some shots of Phnom Penh along Blvd.

A Building on St. 130

One of my favorite pastimes is exploring the lesser know parts of Phnom Penh, old buildings in particular. I have been to places where residents had curious looks at me, wondering what brought me there. Most the time, they were not satisfied by my answer, telling them I just came to take photos as a hobby. Luckily I have never received any warning of no-photo. Here are some photos of a buildings on St. 130 from my latest exploration this month. If you happen to know the background of this building, do kindly share me.

Exterior view from other side of the street.

Common space on the ground floor

A girl dangerously climbing a chair near a broken window on the second floor. I called her to climb down and in no time a lady came to pick her up. Not a safe place for children to be on their own.

Former Central Police Station

Commissariat (Central Police Station), from circa 1910, commands a corner view by the Post Office. Shuttered for decades, it was featured in the Matt Dillon film City of Ghosts. One feature is the late addition of exterior terraces after French troops learned firsthand that the city’s screened terraces weren’t entirely ornamental but vital for cooling off in the tropic heat. Rumors have circulated for years that it may be reborn as a boutique hotel.

Source: Forbes (I wonder how long this building will survive)

Former Police Station in 2003 by pigalle

Former Police Station in June 2011

Former Police Station’s Interior in June 2011

Royal University of Phnom Penh

I don’t have much to say. Just a photo from RUPP.