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.
-
Gwyneth
Shop owner
“I studied design and used to work in marketing. One day, I did a fashion show and one of the sponsors asked why I wasn’t in fashion because I seemed to have a sense for it…
-
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…
-
Cynthia Leung
Owner, Cat Store
It all started 18 years ago when my partner ‘Ah Mao’ (Cat) and I had an vintage store on Percival Street. She collected a lot and we soon ran out of space…
-
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…
-
Brother Fai
Fire Dragon Commander-in-Chief, Tai Hang Residents’ Welfare Association
Tai Hang is still a village, even if it is being swallowed up by the high-rise city that surrounds it. Walk through its narrow grid of streets and you’ll find…
-
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…
-
Marian
Tourist
“I’m a flight attendant from Holland and I’m here for two nights. I come to Hong Kong a few times a year for work and sometimes I go sightseeing but this time…
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.
-
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…
-
Brother Fai
Fire Dragon Commander-in-Chief, Tai Hang Residents’ Welfare Association
Tai Hang is still a village, even if it is being swallowed up by the high-rise city that surrounds it. Walk through its narrow grid of streets and you’ll find…
-
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…
-
Marian
Tourist
“I’m a flight attendant from Holland and I’m here for two nights. I come to Hong Kong a few times a year for work and sometimes I go sightseeing but this time…