Wan Chai Fire Station
435 Hennessy Road
Wan Chai Fire Station is the oldest fire station still standing in Hong Kong. Its maroon facade and retro-style balconies distinguish it from other fire stations in the city, which have followed a standard design since 1958. In 1966, Hong Kong experienced a drought so severe that the Water Authority put a ban in place, during which fire stations had to share their water supply with the general public and would only receive water every four days until the drought ended.
Wan Chai Fire Station stands next to the Canal Road flyover on Hennessy Road. Evelyn Phoa would pass by the Wan Chai Fire Station every day on her way to school. “I couldn’t help but wonder what was happening behind those doors,” she says. The four-storey building houses offices, a canteen, dormitory for on-duty firemen, a recreation room, kitchen and bathroom, married quarters and more.
More Stories
Causeway Bay: Then & Now
Feature
Causeway Bay embodies the many facets of Hong Kong – the fast pace, fascinating contrasts and dynamic energy. From the city’s very beginning to the present day, its diversity and vibrancy makes it a beloved neighbourhood.
-
Hong Kong Street Snack Stalls
Hong Kong street snack stalls are peppered throughout the city’s densest districts, serving office workers, hungry shoppers, teenagers and tourists. Each stall has its own specialty. In Causeway Bay, many of them are busy all day ladling out their signature siu mai and curry fishballs…
-
Otto Leong
A childhood spent at Lee Theatre
Lee Theatre was once one of the city’s most glamorous institutions. Standing at the very edge of Percival Street, it opened to the public in 1927 and hosted a range of shows from Cantonese opera to film screenings, and even the Miss Hong Kong pageant during its heyday…
-
Savin Kwok
Owner, Tak Shing Tea Stall
“My dad operated Tak Shing Tea Stall from 1972 to 2003. It was two carts in an alley between Lan Fong and Pak Sha Roads that sold milk tea, coffee, beef ball and…
-
James Robertson
Founder of El Grande Concepts
Chances are you’ve eaten at one of El Grande Concepts’ many bars and restaurants. They include Hong Kong favourites Grappa’s and Inn Side Out. Founder James Robertson…
-
Sim Sim
Owner, Jardine Bazaar stall
“I’ve been here for 47 years. I love the women who like my stall. They bring their relatives and friends to visit and I’ve watched them grow from young women…
-
Dr Lam
Retired doctor
“I am learning tai chi from Master Tang whose moves are really beautiful. You see other people doing tai chi in Victoria Park, or elsewhere, and they are making the…
-
Candy Cheung
Shun Kee Typhoon Shelter Seafood Owner
“We grew up here on the water. In the 1950s and 1960s, the Causeway Bay typhoon shelter used to be filled with these floating restaurants, but by the 90s, they’d begun to disappear. Some of the few that remained eventually shut down and opened up on-land instead…
-
Four Generations of the Lee Family
At the historic opening of Lee Garden Three in November 2018, Irene Lee, Chairman of Hysan Development remarked, “We have four generations of the Lee family here today to celebrate the opening of Lee Garden Three…
Celebrating Causeway Bay
Feature
A neighbourhood in flux, Causeway Bay’s constant evolution keeps residents and visitors coming back for more. Whether it’s fashion, food, film or art, it’s a part of Hong Kong that keeps people mesmerised and inspired.
Causeway Bay: Then & Now
Feature
Causeway Bay embodies the many facets of Hong Kong – the fast pace, fascinating contrasts and dynamic energy. From the city’s very beginning to the present day, its diversity and vibrancy makes it a beloved neighbourhood.
-
Sim Sim
Owner, Jardine Bazaar stall
“I’ve been here for 47 years. I love the women who like my stall. They bring their relatives and friends to visit and I’ve watched them grow from young women…
-
Dr Lam
Retired doctor
“I am learning tai chi from Master Tang whose moves are really beautiful. You see other people doing tai chi in Victoria Park, or elsewhere, and they are making the…
-
Candy Cheung
Shun Kee Typhoon Shelter Seafood Owner
“We grew up here on the water. In the 1950s and 1960s, the Causeway Bay typhoon shelter used to be filled with these floating restaurants, but by the 90s, they’d begun to disappear. Some of the few that remained eventually shut down and opened up on-land instead…
-
Four Generations of the Lee Family
At the historic opening of Lee Garden Three in November 2018, Irene Lee, Chairman of Hysan Development remarked, “We have four generations of the Lee family here today to celebrate the opening of Lee Garden Three…