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New Territories Architecture & Design Estate Highlights Explore Estates Features Stories

Lek Yuen Estate in Sha Tin: 1st Public Housing Estate in the District, Embracing a Sustainable Fountain Concept

by aikooosan 2023 年 8 月 21 日

If you’ve been following “Exploring Hong Kong’s Public Housing,” you’ve probably noticed that Lek Yuen Estate in Sha Tin is a frequent subject in our photos. It’s no surprise, as it’s become a familiar place for me. I walk by it at least once or twice a week, making it a convenient spot for photography. The enduring charm and nostalgic ambiance of Lek Yuen never seem to fade. As the first completed public housing estate in Sha Tin, it has a treasure trove of intriguing stories to share.

During its initial construction, monthly rents for units started at $160, and the estate received over ten thousand applications

While Lek Yuen Estate now stands impressively in terms of location, environment, and amenities, Sha Tin New Town was less developed at that time. To attract residents to this once rural area, the government, as reported by Ta Kung Pao, offered lower rents to those moving into Lek Yuen Estate, making it an attractive choice. “Regarding the rent at Lek Yuen Estate… a decision was made to offer it to the public at half the market price,” with units measuring 250 sq ft rented at $160, and units with a practical area of 403 sq ft rented at $250. This cost-effective strategy proved successful, as the serene environment and scenic waterfront location of Lek Yuen Estate garnered numerous applications.

My Intangible Connection with Lek Yuen’s Fountain

To be honest, I didn’t grow up in Sha Tin, and my relationship with Lek Yuen Estate began only a few years ago. However, I lack a clear picture of the changes it has undergone during these years. Nevertheless, I can share a personal bond and vivid memories of Lek Yuen.

First and foremost is the iconic fountain. Every time I visit Wo Che Estate, I pass by the pedestrian bridge platform, inevitably catching sight of the fountain. The first time I saw it, I thought, “It’s large and beautiful.” Initially, I assumed it operated only during the daytime. Later, I discovered it features colorful lights at night, although not as extravagant as some displays. Given the estate’s scale and management practices, it’s a genuine endeavor.

Approaching the fountain from below, I realized that viewing it from a different angle unveils another facet of its beauty. Strangely, each time I witness this scene, I experience a sense of relaxation and cheerfulness. In some way, it has become a source of mental solace.

The Fountain’s Dual Purpose

Beyond its aesthetics and cooling function during the summer, the fountain at Lek Yuen Estate serves an environmentally friendly purpose. In 1977, when Sha Tin District faced water rationing, some questioned why the fountain continued to operate. Many regarded fountains as decorative and wasteful. According to The Kung Sheung Daily News, a Housing Department spokesperson clarified, “The water from the fountain is also used for the circulation and cooling of the air-conditioning system in the commercial center, and it’s repeatedly utilized. The water consumed due to evaporation is replenished from the well.” Considering it was 1977, long before environmental concerns gained their current prominence, the foresight in designing the fountain to serve a practical role is impressive.

A Notable Rising Star: Royal Visits

As Sha Tin’s first completed housing estate, Lek Yuen Estate received significant government attention. The prominence of the estate’s water feature, as previously mentioned, underscores the ambition and thought invested in it. Furthermore, Lek Yuen Estate welcomed visits from British royal family members during its early days. Princess Alexandra visited in 1977, followed by Prince Charles in 1979. These visits spotlighted the estate’s significance, akin to Shek Kip Mei Estate, as a noteworthy and exemplary new housing estate.

Personal Connections and Beyond

Returning to my personal link with Lek Yuen Estate, beyond the fountain, an array of memories intertwine me with the estate, becoming an integral part of my everyday life. Enjoying hotpot with friends at Shing Kee, rushing to catch route 89 at the bus stop in the mornings, undergoing COVID-19 testing at the community hall, spotting a lazy cat at the fruit shop on the pedestrian bridge during the early hours, discovering a seemingly open 24/7 toy store on the upper floor’s platform…

Lastly, a note about Shing Kee Noodles. Its reputation reached me even before I resided in Sha Tin. While I’m not a frequent patron, its distinct decor and delectable cuisine remain cherished memories for many residents. Ironically, despite multiple visits to Shing Kee Noodles, I still find myself getting lost while recalling its challenging entrance location!

Recalling all the stories associated with Lek Yuen Estate would likely take until next year’s Buddha’s Birthday. Personally, I believe that Lek Yuen Estate merits a dedicated series to fully explore its stories. As a side note and teaser, a short video introducing more estate stories will be released soon. Stay tuned for updates on my social platforms!

Basic Info (Lek Yuen Estate, 瀝源邨)

Location: 6 Lek Yuen Street, Sha Tin
Years of Intake: 1976
No of Blocks: 7
Type(s) of Block(s): Old Slab
Name of Block(s): Fook Hoi House, Fu Yu House, Kwai Wo House, Luk Chuen House, Sau Chuen House, Wah Fung House, Wing Shui House

Sources: Housing Authority & Wikipedia

2023 年 8 月 21 日

Hong Kong Island Architecture & Design Estate Highlights Explore Estates Features Preservation & Policy Stories

Oldest Hong Kong Public Housing: Model Housing Estate on King’s Road, Over 70 Years of History, Preceding Shek Kip Mei Fire; Enigmatic Fate of Housing Organization

by aikooosan 2023 年 8 月 21 日

What is the oldest public housing estate in Hong Kong? This question has surely intrigued many. To answer this, one might need to delve deeply into the history of housing development in Hong Kong. However, since curiosity runs high, let’s get straight to the point: the Model Housing Estate(模範邨) on King’s Road, located at the crossroads of North Point and Quarry Bay, is the oldest surviving public housing estate in Hong Kong. Its earliest buildings were completed as far back as 1952, which means it has a history of over 70 years, predating the catalyst of public housing in Hong Kong: the Shek Kip Mei fire.

Crowded road on King's Road, between North Point and Quarry Bay. — Crowded road on King’s Road, between North Point and Quarry Bay.

My Years of Association with Model Housing Estate

Before delving into the history and development of the Model Housing Estate, let me share my personal connection with it. (Friendly reminder: If you’re interested in diving directly into its historical development, you can skip to the next section.)

For me, my first memory of becoming acquainted with the Model Housing Estate was around 2014. At the time, I changed jobs and started working for a magazine. The nearest MTR station to the office was Quarry Bay’s C exit, and as soon as you stepped out of that exit, the Model Housing Estate came into view. The path alongside the estate became a routine part of my commute. This route continued for almost 5 years, even as I changed jobs a couple of times. Due to a fortunate coincidence, I found myself passing by the Model Housing Estate again on my way to the office, albeit for just a few months this time (as the company later relocated). This brief encounter added another layer to my somewhat shallow connection, extending it to a total of over 5 and a half years.

This Model Housing Estate captured from the C exit of Quarry Bay MTR Station has accompanied me throughout my more than 5-year working journey.

Long History Yet Remarkably Low-Key

Despite frequently passing by the Model Housing Estate over the years, it was always a fleeting glance. What stands out the most is the relatively short buildings near the MTR exit, recognizable by their light yellow and pale pink walls – a hallmark of the estate. Honestly, over the years, while noticing the estate, I never delved into its age. After all, its appearance wasn’t overtly dilapidated, making it difficult to believe it had a history spanning over 70 years. Hence, discovering that it is the oldest surviving housing estate in Hong Kong came as quite a surprise. Moreover, due to complex ownership issues, despite its long history, the Model Housing Estate rarely made headlines about reconstruction. Consequently, its visibility and discourse are lower than estates like Wah Fu Estate, Choi Hung Estate, and Ma Tau Wai Estate. As a result, for me, the Model Housing Estate remained a quietly existing presence.

Model Housing Estate in Hong Kong, should be the oldest Public Housing which is still existing in nowadays Hong Kong.

Understanding the Housing Organization Behind the Estate

The quiet presence of the Model Housing Estate today is closely tied to its historical development. While its management now falls under the Housing Department, the land and building rights of the Model Housing Estate are still held by the Hong Kong Model Housing Society.

Let me briefly introduce the Hong Kong Model Housing Society. Like the Hong Kong Housing Society and the Hong Kong Housing Authority, it was one of the early housing organizations in Hong Kong. However, unlike the Housing Authority, both the Hong Kong Model Housing Society and the Hong Kong Housing Society were voluntary housing organizations. According to reports from the The Kung Sheung Daily News, the Hong Kong Model Housing Society was established in 1950, primarily to provide affordable housing for white-collar workers with relatively higher incomes. At the time, the Model Housing Estate was a project facilitated by government land allocation and financed by the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation. The estate included affordable housing.

Early planning for the Model Housing Estate was typically executed in multiple phases. The earliest buildings, known as A and B blocks, were completed in 1952. Even then, Sir Alexander Grantham, the then Governor of Hong Kong, inspected the newly constructed buildings, demonstrating the significance accorded to them. Following 1952, another building was constructed in the vacant central area in 1953. Subsequently, from 1952 to 1956, low-rise Blocks A to F were completed, taking about 4 years to finish all the buildings.

Though the Model Housing Estate was established in the 1950s, the unit design was quite decent for the time. Considering that the Hong Kong Model Housing Society aimed to serve the middle-class citizens, their financial status was relatively stable. The units in the Model Housing Estate featured separate living and bedroom spaces, independent kitchens, bathrooms with showers, and private balconies. The estate also included facilities like a basketball court, gardens, and playgrounds. Although it didn’t evolve into a self-contained community like later estates such as Wah Fu Estate and So Uk Estate, the Model Housing Estate laid the foundation for such development.

Unfinished Reconstruction Over the Years

The Model Housing Estate decided to undergo reconstruction in the late 1960s. The Hong Kong government approved the first phase of the reconstruction project in September 1969, which commenced in 1970. The original plan had four phases of reconstruction. The first phase aimed to increase the building height to more than 20 stories and was completed in 1973. The second phase was more intricate, with original plans for demolishing blocks A and B, resulting in 110 units. However, only blocks A and B units 1, 2, 3, 9, and 10, totaling 55 units, were demolished to construct the second building. This phase provided 190 units and was completed in 1979.

The Missing Manager and Vanished Organization

The expectation might be that after completing the second phase of reconstruction, the third phase was inevitable. However, life often surprises us. According to a 1980 report in the The Kung Sheung Daily News, the “Former Manager of the Model Housing Society Resigned and Hasn’t Been at Work for Three Months,” leading to the inability to allocate units. Simultaneously, in November 1979, the Housing Authority “took over the estate upon the request of the Model Housing Society.”

The Housing Authority continues to be the property spokesperson, responsible for the estate’s management. However, the land and building rights of the Model Housing Estate remain with the Hong Kong Model Housing Society. This society, however, seems to have vanished, leaving its whereabouts unknown for many years. Consequently, the third and fourth phases of reconstruction have been put on hold. According to a 2006 report in the Shue Yan University Student News, “The Housing Department took over the Model Village without obtaining the original property records. Additionally, the Housing Society never published annual reports or similar publications before its dissolution, making it impossible to understand the estate’s past development.” This lack of information has kept the planned third and fourth phases of reconstruction on hold. Moreover, it has cast a veil of mystery over the history of the Hong Kong Model Housing Society and the Model Housing Estate.

The Oldest Housing Building in Hong Kong?

So, since the Model Housing Estate is the oldest surviving public housing estate in Hong Kong, what about the oldest housing building? The answer lies with Man Shun House (Block A) and Man King House (Block B). Both were completed in 1952, featuring 6 stories with 5 units on each floor. These two buildings were eventually reduced to half their original size as part of the reconstruction plan, resulting in their current appearance.

Reflecting on my experiences wandering through the Model Housing Estate, perhaps it was because of passing by the MTR station so often that everything seemed routine. Yet, actually exploring the estate has been quite rare. I remember going there with colleagues and friends and even my father to dine at a seemingly old and dimly lit Tsui Tsui Cha Chaan Teng, which offered salt-baked chicken rice – not particularly remarkable in taste, but it had a dimly lit atmosphere and a traditional layout that stuck with me. Whenever I visited, it was usually during off-peak hours, so I enjoyed sitting in a booth to have my meal.

To conclude, regarding the Model Housing Estate, aside from Tsui Tsui Cha Chaan Teng, I’ve occasionally visited the post office and convenience store. However, the estate’s scope has largely remained a mystery. Stepping into the Model Housing Estate, while not a particularly large area, offers a striking contrast to the bustling environment outside. Few pedestrians cross the streets, and even fewer people relax on benches, numbering less than five. It’s incredibly quiet – a stillness you rarely experience. I recall feeling envious as a magazine reporter of those living in the Model Housing Estate. For them, the location was incredibly convenient, offering multiple transportation options: the nearby MTR station, buses, and trams. From a personal perspective, walking to the office (on foot) was possible, and although there were no shopping malls or markets within the estate, plenty of options were available nearby. The environment was bustling yet tranquil – quite a favorable combination (laughs).

Basic Info (Model Housing Estate, 模範邨)

Location: No. 79 King’s Road
Years of Intake: 1952, 1953, 1973 & 1979
No of Blocks: 6
Type(s) of Block(s): Non-standard, Old Slab
Name of Block(s): Block A (Man Shun House), Block B (Man King House), Block C (Man Hong House), Block C2 (Man Hong House), Block D (Man Ning House), Block E (Man Cheung House), Block F (Man Lok House)

Remarks: Block C and C2 belong to same block (Man Hong House).

Sources: Housing Authority & Wikipedia

Lung Hang Estate: A Small Housing Estate in Sha Tin Between Local Culture and the Queen

by aikooosan 2023 年 2 月 28 日

Before delving into Lung Hang Estate in Sha Tin, let me first share my impression of it.

To be honest, my initial impression of Lung Hang Estate was quite vague. At best, I remembered that it was located next to Sun Chui Estate (I will write an article about Sun Chui Estate later if I have the opportunity).

Is there a connection between Copypasta and Lung Hang Estate?

It was not until a friend recently shared an old post from a forum with me that I realized: “Wow! The place where a woman reported a crime because she was scared by the sound of chopping pork (in Cantonese, “斬豬肉聲嚇親膽小婦人報警”) was actually at Lung Hang Market?”

If you haven’t heard this amusing story, here’s a brief summary. In short, a woman passing by Lung Hang Market was frightened by the sound of a pork stall next door chopping pork with a knife and called the police. Let me quote the content from the forum. “A timid woman went to Lung Hang Market at 2:20 pm. When she walked to the opposite side of the meat stall, she was scared by the sound of the meat stall staff chopping pork with a knife. The woman was frightened and called the police. Afterwards, she was taken to the hospital by an ambulance for treatment.” Does it sound ridiculous but funny? Even the internet celebrity Tat Gor once read this news report (click here to listen to Tat Gor reading in Cantonese).

It is unknown whether this report is true or false, but such amusing stories are occasionally discovered by netizens, showing that it has become a part of internet popular culture.

Beyond Oi Man Estate: The Housing Estate Visited by Queen Elizabeth II in 1986

Apart from the aforementioned absurd anecdote, my other impression of Lung Hang Estate is that it was another public housing estate visited by Queen Elizabeth II after Oi Man Estate.

After reviewing news reports of Queen Elizabeth II’s visit in October 1986, the China Daily reported that the Queen visited a household in Lung Hang Estate, while the Takungpao reported that when the Queen arrived at Lung Hang Estate, “more than 3,000 people gathered at the site to welcome her… adding much festive atmosphere.”

My most memorable moments at Lung Hang Estate…

Speaking of my experience wandering around Lung Hang Estate, it actually had more surprises than I expected.

First, let’s talk about the cooked food kiosks. There are not many cooked food kiosks in Lung Hang Estate, but what impressed me the most was that each cooked food kiosk had a different colour on top. The red, green, and yellow tops were particularly eye-catching. Additionally, there are convenience stores in the shape of mushroom pavilions. I do not know why, but it reminded me of the housing estate near my primary school, which had the same design.

To me, the landmarks of Lung Hang Estate today should be both the distinctive Mushroom Pavilion and the estate’s shopping centre. However, as I had the urge to discover more information about Lung Hang Estate, I found out that there was a fountain located in the square during the early stages of the estate’s construction! According to a report from the Hong Kong Industrial and Commercial Daily in 1984, it stated that “residents were very fond of this fountain, and many regarded it as a wishing fountain”, and further indicated that the fountain was a distinctive feature of Lung Hang Estate.

Unfortunately, the fountain was eventually filled in and replaced by the Dragon Boat Garden. Personally, I still feel that the fountain would have been more distinctive.

不單地下，屋邨商場二樓亦設有半圓形長椅予街坊休息。在寸金尺土的香港，今日如此情景已算是很難得了。

Lastly, the original name of Lung Hang Estate was not actually Lung Hang Estate, but Tat Sum Estate. Although I was skeptical when I initially saw this information on Wikipedia, I later found a report from the Ta Kung Pao in November 1981, which did confirm that Lung Hang Estate was originally named Tat Sum Estate “after a local name”, but was later given a more appropriate name, although the reason was not mentioned in the report. Lung Hang Estate was completed in 1983 and comprises six towers, namely Wing Sum House, Lok Sum House, Hok Sum House, Sin Sum House, Cheung Sum House, and Wai Sum House.

Info

Location: 1 Tin Sam Street, Tai Wai New Territories, Hong Kong
Year of Intake：1983
No of Blocks：6
No of Flats：4400
Types of Blocks：Double H, Old Slab, Twin Tower

Source：房委會、維基百科

To Read More…

2023 年 2 月 28 日

Explore Estates Exploration Notes Features Kowloon Stories Urban History

Tai Hang Tung Estate in Kowloon Tong: A Low-Key and Nostalgic Presence

by aikooosan 2023 年 2 月 19 日

Compared to its neighboring “Instagrammable” public housing estate, Nam Shan Estate, Tai Hang Tung Estate can be considered a relatively low-key presence.

As a child, I often had the misconception that Tai Hang Tung Estate was located in the Tai Hang area of Hong Kong Island, requiring a trip across the sea. It wasn’t until later that I realized that Tai Hang Tung Estate is actually in Kowloon Tong. My apologies.

From Squatter Area to Resettlement Estate to Redevelopment

The history of Tai Hang Tung Estate can be traced back to the post-World War II period when a large number of mainland Chinese refugees moved to Hong Kong and settled in the environmentally harsh squatter areas in the mountains. Tai Hang Tung was one of the resettlement areas.

As for the predecessor of Tai Hang Tung Estate, it was originally a resettlement building that appeared as early as 1955-56. The resettlement building was constructed in response to a large fire that broke out in the Tai Hang Tung squatter area in 1954, leaving over 20,000 people homeless. The Hong Kong colonial government, in order to accommodate the affected residents, followed the example of the response to the 1953 Shek Kip Mei fire and built Tai Hang Tung Estate to house the disaster victims.

It wasn’t until 1974 that the government began planning the redevelopment of Tai Hang Tung Estate, and construction began in 1979. The Tai Hang Tung Estate that we see today underwent redevelopment and began occupancy in 1984.

Nostalgic Vibes at Tai Hang Tung Estate

The first impression of Tai Hang Tung Estate is that many of its buildings are relatively short, with only around 10 floors. This is because the estate is located in Kowloon Tong, where building heights are restricted due to being under the flight path. After checking the data, it was found that the six long, connected buildings in Tai Hang Tung Estate, namely Tung Hoi House, Tung Fai House, Tung Shing House, Tung Yu House, Tung Moon House, and Tung Wong House, were the first to be completed with the least number of floors and indeed only have 11 floors.

In general, although Tai Hang Tung Estate is not as well-known as its neighboring Nam Shan Estate, it is also rich in nostalgic charm and beauty. It is common to see octagons in Tai Hang Tung Estate, perhaps due to Feng Shui or other reasons, such as in the footbridges. Even in the park’s facilities, you can still find the frequent appearance of octagons if you look closely.

Moreover, the nostalgic charm of Tai Hang Tung Estate comes from many of its features that still retain the characteristics of the 1980s. When strolling around, there is a feeling of time being sealed. For example, the landmark of Tai Hang Tung Estate, the Rainbow Restaurant, looks particularly dazzling and beautiful at night when its neon sign is on. The shops in the estate are located on the ground and pedestrian bridge levels, and many of them are small old shops with a certain history.

Another favorite spot for many is located around the clotheslines, where there are small transportation icons behind them, such as buses, trams, and trucks, all in colorful and rich colors, full of childlike fun. If only the clotheslines weren’t blocking the view, it would be a great place to take pictures.

Talking about Tai Hang Tung Estate, I once walked around at night just to admire the view of the Rainbow Restaurant (laughs). The biggest difference between day and night is that Tai Hang Tung Estate used to have few streetlights in bustling Hong Kong, giving it a somewhat eerie feeling. Looking back on it, it was also quite interesting.

Information

Number of Blocks: 9
Year of Intake: 1984
Types of Blocks:Linear 1, New Slab, Small Household Block

Sources: Wikipedia, Housing Authority

To Read More……

2023 年 2 月 19 日

Architecture & Design Estate Highlights Explore Estates Features New Territories Stories

Cho Yiu Chuen, Lai King: Hong Kong’s Most Beautiful Public Housing Estate

by aikooosan 2023 年 2 月 16 日

Cho Yiu Chuen, which can be considered the “most beautiful public housing estate” in Hong Kong, has long been famous. Finally, I visited there with friends, including Lai Yiu and Lai King Estate, during Lunar New Year.

As a result of wandering around aimlessly, Cho Yiu Chuen became the first stop.

The impression after walking around Cho Yiu Chuen is that it is indeed the most beautiful public housing estate in Hong Kong, and its name is not wrong!

The stunning view in Hong Kong

Arriving at the public housing was stunning. After the Lunar New Year, it became one of my top 5 public housing estates.

Anyway, I have a bit of a connection with Cho Yiu Chuen. The reason is that I took my HKCEE and HKALE Chinese oral exams in a secondary school in it. Fortunately, I was able to get an A on both occasions. Therefore, I had already silently believed that the public housing would bring me good luck.

One of the major selling points of Cho Yiu Chuen is that it is the first public housing estate in Hong Kong with a swimming pool. Coupled with the beautiful view of the Kwai Tsing Container Terminal behind it, it is truly unbeatable.

Beautiful Shapes with unique design

Cho Yiu Chuen’s design is comfortable, harmonious, and beautiful with orange, yellow, and white buildings. The neat lines and symmetrical structures also leave a deep impression.

Furthermore, the estate is built on a hill and has been thoughtfully designed. The residents enjoy breathtaking sunset views from Lai King to Kwai Chung Container Terminal.

Public space opposite the shopping mall in Cho Yiu Chuen.

During the Lunar New Year, the shopping mall in Cho Yiu Chuen is also decorated for the festive season.

Awarded Public Housing in Hong Kong

Cho Yiu Chuen is named after Sir Cho Yiu Kwan, the founding member of the Housing Society in Hong Kong. It was completed between 1976 and 1981, but the architectural design does not feel outdated. When the estate was completed, it was quite pioneering, being the first public housing estate in Hong Kong with a swimming pool.

Great Community Planning

Award-winning public space design, with scattered buildings on platforms of different heights, forms a unique visual effect.

As Cho Yiu Chuen is built on a hill, there are many pedestrian bridges inside the estate to facilitate residents' access. — As Cho Yiu Chuen is built on a hill, there are many pedestrian bridges inside the estate to facilitate residents’ access.

Split Level Design

One of the most distinctive features of the estate’s building design is the staggered design of some of the buildings, such as Kai King House, Kai Hang House, Kai Min House, and Kai Chien House, where one unit consists of two flats, and each building is composed of several wings connected by open-air corridors or footbridges every three floors.

Cho Yiu Chuen's Kai King House was once the tallest public housing building in the world. — Cho Yiu Chuen’s Kai King House was once the tallest public housing building in the world.

The purpose of this design was to strengthen the spirit of mutual assistance among neighbours to reduce crime, and the open lobby also enhances natural ventilation and lighting. The emphasis on public space is believed to be due to the fact that, at the time, there was not such a strong awareness of privacy and security, and the housing unit designs were not large, but each unit had a large number of residents.

The designers also anticipated a greater need for residents to use public space outside the units, and hoped to enhance residents’ sense of belonging to their neighbourhood and living spaces by designing parks, playgrounds, and wider unit corridors.

The Drawbacks of The Public Housing

While Cho Yiu Chuen has many merits in terms of its beauty and housing planning, there are some drawbacks, such as inconvenient transportation, especially for elderly people, compared to other housing estates like Lai Yiu Estate.

One of the good uses of public space in Cho Yiu Chuen is that there are several ping pong tables for people to play, and some of the tables even come with paddles and ping pong balls.

But if we are only talking about the experience of walking through the housing estate, Cho Yiu Chuen does live up to its reputation as the most beautiful public housing estate in Hong Kong.

Information

Location:1-5 Lai Cho Road / 2 & 3 Lim Cho Street / 2-6 Wing Cho Street, Kwai Chung, New Territories
Year of Intake: 1976/1978/1979/1981
No. of Blocks: 9
Types of Blocks: central corridor style, terrace corridor style, split-level long type, split-level cross type

Source: Hong Kong Housing Society, Wikipedia

To Read More……

2023 年 2 月 16 日

Exploration Notes Explore Estates Features New Territories Stories Urban History

Wah Ming Estate,Fanling – A Very Chinese-Style Shopping Center

by aikooosan 2023 年 2 月 15 日

Seeing the bad weather today, every place looks like a fairyland covered with thick fog. This reminds me of my visit to Wah Ming Estate in Fanling earlier, where the weather was almost the same: covered in thick fog and later drizzled with rain, making it difficult to walk and take photos.

The bus stop at Wah Ming Estate, Fanling.

My First Impression of Wah Ming Estate

But it’s okay, let me share with you my experience of visiting and exploring Wah Ming Estate in Fanling.

To be honest, if it weren’t for work, I think the number of times I would have visited Fanling and even the North District in my life could be counted on one hand. In the past, my impression of public housing estates in Fanling was almost zero, and my impression still lingered on the childhood understanding of Fanling: the overlap of old districts and new towns, nothing particularly special.

Wah Ming Estate Shopping Center, Fanling.

Going back to my experience of exploring Wah Ming Estate. My first impression of Wah Ming Estate was when the bus parked at the bus stop near Wah Ming Shopping Centre – wow, there is such a unique public housing estate in Fanling.

Wah Ming Estate, outside the shopping center.

Shopping Center with classy and Chinese style design

To say that it has character is to refer to the public housing estate mall in Wah Ming Estate: using traditional red brick tiles to cover the roof, with a design resembling a Chinese-style bell tower, and the addition of pavilions and water features next to the mall, which add a touch of uniqueness to Wah Ming Estate. This old-fashioned design is only found in Wah Ming Estate and is different from the more Western-style Sha Tin Broadview Estate, which also uses red bricks.

Shopping center in Wah Ming Estate, Fanling.

Walking through the Wah Ming Estate shopping center, which has now been acquired by large corporations, one can still see the original character of the mall, such as its division into north and south wings. Although chain stores are present, there are still some small shops, and the mall continues to use red brick flooring, rather than the standard white flooring, which is somehow comforting.

Chinese New Year Decoration in Wah Ming Estate

During the visit on the eve of the Lunar New Year, the estate was decorated with many festive themes, such as large red lanterns, which complement the estate’s Chinese-style architecture, creating a harmonious and comfortable atmosphere.

The decoration for celebrating Chinese New Year in Wah Ming Estate.

Exploring other parts of Wah Ming Estate, it was built in 1990, with seven buildings, all of which feature the Y-shape design that was popular at the time, except for Y3 and Y4. The more one walks around Wah Ming Estate, the more one realizes the advantages of the Y-shape design, which also provides wider public spaces on the ground floor. In the 1990s, public plazas, playgrounds, soccer and basketball courts were common in public housing estates, providing daily leisure and entertainment for residents.

The public plaza in Wah Ming Estate, Fanling.

In addition, it was surprising to find old-fashioned playground equipment in Wah Ming Estate, such as wooden slides and climbing structures, which brought a sense of nostalgia and emotion.

Information

Location:21 Wah Ming Road, Wo Hop Shek
Year of Intake: 1990
Types of Blocks: Trident 3, Trident 4
Name of Blocks: Chung Ming House, Fu Ming House, Hong Ming House, Lai Ming House,Shun Ming House, Tim Ming House, Yiu Ming House

Sources: Housing Authority, Wikipedia

To read more……

Choi Wan Estate, Ngau Chi Wan, Changes and Continuity Over The Years

2023 年 2 月 15 日

Exploration Notes Explore Estates Features Kowloon Stories Urban History

Ngau Chi Wan Choi Wan Estate – Changes and Continuity Over the Years

by aikooosan 2023 年 2 月 15 日

Located in East Kowloon, Choi Wan Estate may not be the largest public housing estate in Hong Kong or have the tallest buildings, but when it comes to the names of its buildings, I have an inexplicable fascination with them.

Their names are poetic, such as Sunrise Court(觀日樓), Moonbeam Tower(伴月樓), Jade Palace(瓊宮樓), Ivory Court(玉宇樓), Dragon Court(遊龍樓), Phoenix Court(飛鳳樓), Scenic View(景新樓), White Rainbow(白虹樓), Starlight Garden(星辰樓), and Drizzling Court(時雨樓), all of which evoke images of constellations and astronomical terms.

Despite this, residents like Levi, who has lived in Phoenix Court in Choi Wan Estate since first grade, do not have a special attachment to the names of their buildings and do not feel proud or happy about them.

The Dramatic Changes of Choi Wan Estate

Levi sees everything that changes and remains the same in Choi Wan Estate. The estate’s shopping mall has undergone the most significant change. Walking from the Bai Hong House bus stop to the Choi Wan Estate shopping mall is a typical pattern of public housing shopping malls, with air conditioning, elevators, and escalators fully equipped, appearing to have no distinctive features. It conforms to the standard of Link REIT malls, which are clean and tidy but cold and impersonal. At best, the mall’s second floor has a central outdoor garden with many green trees and some benches for residents to rest. The Hong Kong Jockey Club betting station happens to be located next to the central garden. On race days, uncles and grandpas holding newspapers, smoking, and listening to the radio for race updates fill the area, and the air becomes lively.

After Link REIT took over the mall, it transformed from a dilapidated and sparsely occupied mall into a new appearance with tiled floors and renovated walls, and newly painted walls. The number of chain stores increased from a dozen to multiple, offering more restaurant choices for residents, including noodles, dumplings, and pizza, in addition to McDonald’s and local tea restaurants. As for the more historical restaurants in the mall, you have to count Cheng Fat Restaurant. The restaurant opened in the 1990s, and over the years, the decoration remained the same, and the taste of the food remained consistent. The dim yellow light, combined with many tables, is a typical Hong Kong-style tea restaurant pattern. The food’s taste is considered average, but it boasts some traditional Hong Kong-style dishes, such as beef and egg rice, tofu with preserved meat rice, and clay pot rice, which are recognized as a romantic dish for men.

The Unchanging Features of Choi Wan Estate

However the interior of the housing estate’s shopping mall may change, there are always some views that remain unchanged, as if time has frozen in these scenes and they have not aged. For example, the huge banyan tree at the entrance of the mall and the bus terminal, it appears very dense and the banyan tree’s many aerial roots extend very long and are interwoven in various forms. It has long been recognized by the community as a landmark of Choi Wan Estate, and it is believed to have silently guarded the community.

an over hundred years old Banyan Tree in Choi Wan Estate.

It is said that the banyan tree existed before the construction of Choi Wan Estate and was already listed in the register of ancient trees. There is a couplet written by a resident of Yau Oi Estate that says, “Choi Wan gives rise to auspiciousness, and the flourishing ancient tree adds luster to the shopping mall,” which is quite literary. Levi recalled that he had a deep impression of the tree since he first saw it in primary school, feeling full of life.

Another unchanging view of the housing estate is the elderly people who have been queuing for some reason for a long time.

Levi explained that the garbage station near Pak Hong House in Choi Wan Estate used to be so lively. There were people specializing in recycling aluminum cans and plastic bottles, and many elderly people would line up, dragging heavy bags filled with aluminum cans or plastic bottles collected from the estate, and then sell them next to the garbage station to earn some pocket money. “My mother used to remind me to bring aluminum cans to the garbage station to recycle when I was young, to earn some pocket money. But later, I saw that the profit was not much, so I stopped doing it.”

In the past, the elderly would queue at the garbage station, but today they queue in front of the plastic bottle recycling machine in the mall for the same reason, to earn some pocket money. Everything seems so ordinary, but it is also heart-wrenching.

The people, not the public housing estate, have changed

The changes in Choi Wan Estate over the years could be considered significant or insignificant. Levi admits that it’s the people who have changed. When he was in primary school and spent more time in the estate, he had a closer connection to it. However, everything changed as he joined the workforce, spent less time at home and the place transformed.

“In fact, it’s a microcosm of Hong Kong. You only see mostly elderly people participating in estate activities. As the number of elderly people and building age increase, the estate becomes increasingly aged.”

“The peach blossoms remain the same, but the faces of people are different.” It seems to refer to the situation mentioned above.

2023 年 2 月 15 日

Explore Estates Architecture & Design Exploration Notes Features New Territories Stories

Wo Che Estate in Sha Tin: Blooming Flowers beneath the Pyramid Peak, Resembling the Beauty of the Louvre

by aikooosan 2022 年 7 月 9 日

There are many public houses in Sha Tin that are worth recommending. Not only they have their own characters and look beautiful, more importantly those public housing have been designed with the real needs of residents. Following the previous Kwong Yuen Estate, at this time I would like to introduce the 2nd public housing estate in Sha Tin : Wo Che Estate.

As the first new town developed in Hong Kong, there are a total 23 housing estates in Sha Tin. Wo Che Estate is the second public housing estate to be completed and flat in-take after Lek Yuen Estate, the first established public housing estate in Sha Tin.It was occupied as early as 1977 and had 12 blocks before 2003, including Hong Wo House(康和樓), Fung Wo House(豐和樓), Shun Wo House(順和樓), Tai Wo House(泰和樓), Yan Wo House(欣和樓), Hip Wo House(協和樓), Tak Wo House(德和樓), How Wo House(厚和樓) and Chi Wo House (智和樓),etc. Until 2003 when King Wo House was completed and merged into Wo Che Estate, there are currently 13 blocks in Wo Che Estate.

As for the most familiar Wo Che Estate in recent months, its shopping mall top is like the triangular design of the Louvre Museum in Paris, France. It is believed that its top design is actually to allow the shopping mall below to have more natural lighting and increase the sense of space, rather than paying tribute to the Louvre Museum.

Many neighbors reported that the former “Sha Tin version of the Louvre” had no fences as early as the 1980s, and some children even brought their own paper sheets and slid down from the roof to make their own slides, which was more to reflect that the neighbors (or more precisely, children) of folk wisdom. Later, due to the security & safety issue, the top was set up with a fence afterwards.

As for the more familiar ways in Wo Che Estate, it is believed that the old-schooled food stall Chan Ken Kee(陳根記) and the Hong Kong movie “Weeds on Fire”(《點五步》) were filmed in the housing estate.

There are 5 types of blocks in Wo Che Estate, of which the most well-known is its twin-tower building, which looks like two hollow squares joined at one corner of each square.Each block comprises two “towers” of different heights, although their shapes are the same. In Wo Che Estate, there are a total 6 blocks adapted from the twin-tower building, like Hong Wo House, Fung Wo House, Shun Wo House, Man Wo House, Tai Wo House and Fu Wo House.

【info】

location: 1-9 Hip Yan Street

transport: MTR Sha Tin Station or Fo Tan Station ; Bus 280X,81,72,48X,88X,80K

2022 年 7 月 9 日

Explore Estates Estate Highlights Features Hong Kong Island Preservation & Policy Stories

Kennedy Town Sai Wan Estate: Over 60 Years Old, Second Oldest Public Housing Estate, Sole Housing Authority Estate in Central and Western District

by aikooosan 2022 年 7 月 8 日

Following the previous location, we have arrived to the second estate of the series. This time I will introduce an estate that is located in Kennedy Town, the Central and Western District of Hong Kong Island. It is also the only housing estate under the jurisdiction of the Housing Authority in the Central and Western District – Sai Wan Estate.

If we were to calculate the age of the buildings, Sai Wan Estate is already a home for the elderly in terms of the existing public housing in Hong Kong that has not been demolished and rebuilt. Sai Wan Estate, which is more than 60 years old, was occupied as early as 1958 ( it is about the same age as my father!), so you’re not alone in the sense that the buildings in it feel relatively old.

The lands of Sai Wan Estate actually belonged to the hills of the Mount Davis area. At that time, the Hong Kong and British governments announced the construction in 1955 and officially named Sai Wan Estate before it was occupied in 1958.

Since Sai Wan Estate is located on the hillside of Cadogan Street, it is 250 meters away from Victoria Road. At that time, the site was square and included multiple hillsides. Therefore, the actual hillside area of the estate is only 3.7 acres (it is only slightly larger than two standard football fields), and the terrain is naturally steep. Therefore, the housing estate is designed and built based on the terrain. As well as being limited by its small land area. The whole estate is designed to only accomodate 5 buildings with a total of 636 units.

In addition, if you look at the photos carefully, you should not find that the buildings in the estate are terrace-connected buildings, each of which has different heights, ranging from 10 to 14 floors. Except for the East Terrace, which is an independent one, the other four are all connected by corridors. I believe that the above design is to facilitate interaction and communication between neighbors, so as to create the effect a close-knit community.

It is rare for neighbors to greet each other in Hong Kong today. On the contrary, it has become the norm for each family mind their own businesses. On the day of the shooting, it was not only neighbours Ms Chan and Ms Lee who greeted each other warmly, sharing parts of the daily lives. Even the neighbours living in the opposite building were engaging in conversation, which displays the deep camaraderie between them.

Moreover, since the estate is built accordingly to the terrain, it is not surprising to find that there are multiple stairs in the Sai Wan Estate, including the one shown in the picture. Later, based on factors such as the aging population of the housing estate and the location of the buildings on platforms of different heights, the former Building Construction Committee built a lift near the main pedestrian entrance of the housing estate, that is, near Cadogan Street, to facilitate access to the neighborhood.

As the only public housing estate under the jurisdiction of the Housing Authority in the Central and Western District, it is also the second housing estate of the Housing Construction Association (one of the predecessors of the current Housing Authority). In terms of naming, the housing estate is also different from the current common suffix “House”. Instead, it is replaced by “Terrace”. As for the prefix naming, it is based on the orientation of the building. For example, the location of the main entrance of Sai Wan Estate in the picture above, the closest building is East Terrace, and it is also the only building in the estate that is not connected to the other four.

As for the other four, they are the South Terrace, the West Terrace, the North Terrace and the Central Terrace.

In recent years, I have seen more news related to Sai Wan Estate. It is most likely due to the fact that the Government announced that it was included in the reconstruction plan. Regarding the reconstruction of Sai Wan Estate, I didn’t feel deeply personally. After all, the estate is very far away. I didn’t live in the area or have any connections to it.

But after visiting Sai Wan Estate, I was quickly attracted by its unique terrain and antique architecture. Although the exact timetable for the reconstruction has not yet been announced, to be honest, based on the experience of the government in the reconstruction of public housing in recent years, the rebuilt public housing are a bunch of very bland buildings. Although there have been improvements in design, it wouldn’t be a bad thing for the neighbourhood to be more comfortable than before. However, if it is rebuilt, the Government can think more about how to preserve the history of Sai Wan Estate (in recent months, the Housing Society has launched the “Ming Wah Dai Ha Documentary Project” website for the Ming Wah Building in Shau Kei Wan). I believe that for many neighbors, it can be said that it is to preserve and witness the memories of living in the past, and it must be of great significance.

【info】

Location: Ka Wai Man Road, Sai Wan

Transportation: About 3 minutes walk from Exit C of Kennedy Town Station of MTR Station; Minibus No. 13; Cross-harbour Bus 101, 104, 971, Hong Kong Island Bus 1, 5B, 10, 43M, etc.

2022 年 7 月 8 日

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