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.
-
Brian Siswojo & Ball Ng
Founder & Head Barber / Partner, Handsome Factory
Nestled in a quiet corner of Causeway Bay is a street known for its neighbourhood vibe and eclectic mix of independent shops. In 2015, skate shop owner Brian Siswojo…
-
St. Mary's Church
Local Landmark
St. Mary’s Church is an Anglican church that began in 1911 as a chapel for those at the Eyre Diocesan Refuge. Much of the early work depended on volunteers and donations…
-
Darren Lo
Co-founder, Playdium
Don’t call Playdium an arcade – it’s a “virtual reality experience studio” where you can play fully immersive games with the help of top-of-the-line Razer computers and HTC Vive VR goggles…
-
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…
-
Lindsey McAlister
Founder, Hong Kong Youth Arts Foundation (YAF)
If there is such a thing as kismet, Lindsey McAlister believes it’s what brought her to Hong Kong. Nearly 30 years ago, the young British arts worker…
-
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…
-
May Fung
Founder, Arts and Culture Outreach
Long before there was Art Basel Hong Kong, long before international galleries opened their doors and jet-setting collectors began coming here…
-
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…
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.
-
Lindsey McAlister
Founder, Hong Kong Youth Arts Foundation (YAF)
If there is such a thing as kismet, Lindsey McAlister believes it’s what brought her to Hong Kong. Nearly 30 years ago, the young British arts worker…
-
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…
-
May Fung
Founder, Arts and Culture Outreach
Long before there was Art Basel Hong Kong, long before international galleries opened their doors and jet-setting collectors began coming here…
-
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…
