One of the most interesting architectural features of Hong Kong are the ladder streets. These are pedestrian streets made only of steps. An early colonial feature, they were constructed in this way as there was little flat land to build on. Ladder Street is one of these streets and it is very pretty as it is made entirely of stone. Originally built from local pink granite, Ladder Street was built between the years 1841 and 1850. The point where it meets Queen's Road Central marks the original coastline of Victoria Harbor. Allowing direct connection to the harbour, the street was used for the transportation of goods shipped to the port and the flat wide steps were designed to make it easier for carts and rickshaws to stop along the way. In 2009, the street was recognized as a Grade 1 Built Heritage Site and, thus, it is legally protected from further urban development.