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.

  • Auntie Yuk


    Pantyhose vendor on Pak Sha Road

    “I’ve had customers, including celebrities and politicians, who would definitely get upset if I ever moved my stall. I’m sure they’d be asking people…

    Streetsnaps
  • Mr Chu


    Owner, Kung Wo Tong

    “Kung Wo Tong is a family business that can be traced back to the Qing Dynasty when herbal turtle jelly was consumed frequently. We first opened on Temple Street…

    #Culture   #Food  
    Streetsnaps
  • 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…

    Streetsnaps
  • Christopher DeWolf


    Journalist

    Ever since he was a teenager, Christopher DeWolf has been fascinated by cities: “I’ve always been interested in them and what makes them tick….

    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
  • Zoroastrian Prayer Hall in Causeway Bay


    Neville Shroff, President, and Ervad Homyar Nasirabadwala, Priest of The Incorporated Trustees of the Zoroastrian Charity Funds of Hong Kong, Canton & Macao

    Zoroastrianism is known as the oldest practiced religion in the world: originating in ancient Persia over three thousand years ago…

    Interviews
  • Dr Lau


    Chinese Medicine Practitioner

    Dr Lau Tai-yum can recall the days when Lee Garden was just a quarry where he and his school friends would play. “There were only a couple of shops…

    Interviews
  • 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

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.

  • 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
  • Zoroastrian Prayer Hall in Causeway Bay


    Neville Shroff, President, and Ervad Homyar Nasirabadwala, Priest of The Incorporated Trustees of the Zoroastrian Charity Funds of Hong Kong, Canton & Macao

    Zoroastrianism is known as the oldest practiced religion in the world: originating in ancient Persia over three thousand years ago…

    Interviews
  • Dr Lau


    Chinese Medicine Practitioner

    Dr Lau Tai-yum can recall the days when Lee Garden was just a quarry where he and his school friends would play. “There were only a couple of shops…

    Interviews
  • 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