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.
-
Annie Chu
Causeway Bay yogi
“Today I’m taking a Vinyasa class. I come to Causeway Bay every weekend for yoga and I like how fluid and flowy these classes are…
-
Yum Sing Bar
Rosalie Carpio and Alex Lai
“You ask me how deep my love for you is. How much do I really love you? My affection is real, my love is real. The moon represents my heart…”
Teresa Teng’s beloved song is an apt choice for Rosalie Carpio’s set list…
-
Sandy Ki
Owner, Old San Yang
It’s difficult to imagine Causeway Bay as anything but a bustling metropolis, but Sandy Ki has witnessed the neighbourhood evolve into the burgeoning business and shopping hub it is today…
-
Celia Garcia
Long-term Po Leung Kuk volunteer
“Have you ever heard of ‘airplane olives’? Hawkers would scream from the ground floor, selling their snacks from the street, so we’d drop money down from our balcony and they’d throw the olives up to us…
-
Grace Lam
Fashion stylist
Causeway Bay has always been part of life for Grace Lam. Growing up in Hong Kong, she attended St. Paul’s Convent School for kindergarten…
-
Pink
Makeup artist
Pink relaxes at her favourite cafe and shares her journey from banking to beauty: “I love being a make-up artist. I love beauty but I find it rewarding to help others…
-
Auntie Chiu
Villain hitter
I’m from Dongguan and my family, we had a lot of farms there. I was really busy planting mandarins, we had pigs, cows and chickens…
-
Jimmy Leung
Martial artist and Founder, THE FIGHTERS CLUB
If it were up to Jimmy Leung, he’d have begun his martial arts training when he was a little kid. But the biggest adversary to his plan wasn’t some opponent in the ring…
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.
-
Grace Lam
Fashion stylist
Causeway Bay has always been part of life for Grace Lam. Growing up in Hong Kong, she attended St. Paul’s Convent School for kindergarten…
-
Pink
Makeup artist
Pink relaxes at her favourite cafe and shares her journey from banking to beauty: “I love being a make-up artist. I love beauty but I find it rewarding to help others…
-
Auntie Chiu
Villain hitter
I’m from Dongguan and my family, we had a lot of farms there. I was really busy planting mandarins, we had pigs, cows and chickens…
-
Jimmy Leung
Martial artist and Founder, THE FIGHTERS CLUB
If it were up to Jimmy Leung, he’d have begun his martial arts training when he was a little kid. But the biggest adversary to his plan wasn’t some opponent in the ring…
