Menu

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.

  • Irene Lee


    Chairman of Hysan Development

    There are very few people who know the origin of a suburb, let alone one as integral to Hong Kong as Causeway Bay. But for Irene Lee, granddaughter of Lee Hysan and current chairman of Hysan Development, she can look back on the neighbourhood’s inception…

    Interviews
  • Tia Antiyas


    Indonesian domestic helper

    “I’ve been in Hong Kong for 10 years and I feel it’s great here. It’s so much better because it’s so hard to make money in Indonesia. A lot of Indonesian domestic…

    Streetsnaps
  • Karen See


    Co-founder, {embrace} worldwide

    “I worked for a global advertising agency as its Chief Communications Officer for many years and used to catch the minibus from Causeway Bay nearly every day…

    Streetsnaps
  • Christ the King Chapel


    33 Caroline Hill Road

    Dedicated to Christ the King, this chapel is part of the St Paul’s compound in Causeway Bay which also houses a convent and hospital. Its history can be traced back to 1848, when four Sisters of St Paul of Chartres arrived in Hong Kong…

    Streetsnaps
  • Mr Cheng


    Owner, Paris Cotton Singlets Company

    My father and I were refugees who came to Hong Kong in 1948. At first, he worked at a construction site for HK$5 a day. We rented half a store and set up a…

    Interviews
  • 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…

    Streetsnaps
  • 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.

    Streetsnaps
  • 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…

    Interviews

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.

  • Mr Cheng


    Owner, Paris Cotton Singlets Company

    My father and I were refugees who came to Hong Kong in 1948. At first, he worked at a construction site for HK$5 a day. We rented half a store and set up a…

    Interviews
  • 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…

    Streetsnaps
  • 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.

    Streetsnaps
  • 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…

    Interviews