Shenzhen Civic Center Pavilion Turned Into Coffee Shop Raises Concerns

In Shenzhen’s Civic Center South Plaza, residents were surprised to find a once-public pavilion transformed into a for-profit coffee shop. What used to be a rest area has now become a business selling drinks and food — raising big questions about whether this kind of change is allowed in municipal parks.

The short answer? The original pavilion still stands, but was modified — with walls added, the roof repaired, and a new outdoor deck built on what used to be lawn. The business, Saint Martha Café, opened about a month ago and is still waiting for its business license. The site is technically on leased public land, and the management claims the change improves services for park users.

What Changed at the Civic Center Pavilion?

Previously a basic pavilion for rest, the structure — located near the restroom area of Shenzhen’s Civic Center South Plaza — has been converted into a café called Saint Martha. The café consists of an indoor area serving coffee, beer, and juice (priced between 20 and 30 RMB per drink), and an outdoor section with wooden decking, seven umbrellas, and seating. The outdoor area is enclosed by a half-meter-high stone wall. The site is tucked among bamboo and trees, and approached via a small path on a slope.

Why Was It Changed?

According to Liu, head of the Civic Center Plaza Management Office, the plaza originally had four small shops planned as part of its commercial facilities. However, those shops — contracted to Shenzhen Huatai Enterprise in 2010 under a four-year agreement — never became operational due to low foot traffic. Earlier in 2024, Huatai Enterprise decided to repurpose one of the few remaining structures: a pavilion near the toilets. They renovated it into the current coffee shop, which began trial operations in mid-April.

Liu stated that the area around the Civic Center includes many high-end office buildings and a younger, international demographic. “We wanted to provide a place for people to rest and hydrate while using the park,” he explained. The management believed that converting the unused pavilion would better serve visitors than leaving it empty.

What Exactly Was Modified?

Staff from the café said the changes were minimal: “The pavilion wasn’t destroyed. We just repaired the roof and added walls on both sides,” said Xie, manager of Saint Martha Café. Additionally, the lawn outside was replaced with wooden decking, and the surrounding stone wall was extended outward slightly. The café has been open for roughly one month, but Xie confirmed that their business license is still pending approval — despite being in trial operation.

A cleaner on-site noted that the space was formerly a pavilion, recently built, indicating the transformation occurred very recently.

Public Reaction and Legal Concerns

Local resident Yang raised concerns about the change. “This is a public square for resting and exercise, not a commercial street,” he said. With nearby shopping centers like CityCenter already offering dining and leisure options, he questioned the need for a for-profit café in the civic green space. Yang also raised doubts about whether the renovation damaged greenery, whether the café has proper permits, and if the use of public land for private business is legal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Was the original pavilion destroyed to build the coffee shop?

No, the original pavilion structure remains. The modifications included repairing the roof, adding walls on the sides, replacing the lawn with wooden decking outdoors, and extending the stone wall slightly outward. The café refers to this as a “renovation” rather than a rebuild.

When did the coffee shop open and is it legal?

The Saint Martha Café started trial operations around mid-April 2024 and has been open for roughly one month. However, as of the time of reporting, the business has not yet obtained an official business license, though management claims the environmental impact is minimal and the change was approved by relevant departments.

Who owns and operates the coffee shop?

The café is operated by Saint Martha Café, under contract from Shenzhen Huatai Enterprise, which took over the space in 2010. Huatai originally leased four retail spaces in the plaza, none of which opened. In early 2024, they decided to convert the pavilion into a coffee shop instead.

What kinds of drinks and food does the café serve?

The café serves coffee, juice, and beer, with individual drinks priced between 20 and 30 RMB. The menu does not appear to include food beyond beverages, and the service is mainly geared toward park visitors looking for a quick refreshment.

Why did the management decide to turn the pavilion into a café?

The Civic Center Plaza management, led by director Liu, said the change was intended to provide a better amenity for park users. With the previous four shops failing due to low traffic, they opted to renovate the pavilion into a coffee shop to serve the nearby young, professional, and international population who frequent the area.

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