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
  • 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
  • Christine Tsoi


    Marketing Manager

    “As a child, I would walk along this street on my way to school. I didn’t know then that decades later, I would still be passing by these same pigeons…

    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
  • Boon Yuen


    French Bulldog

    “I live above Fung Shing Restaurant. Every day I go for a walk at the Happy Valley racecourse then rest by the benches. Then we go for another round before…

    Streetsnaps
  • K1 and Chun


    Fans of Danish Bakery

    “Places like the Danish Bakery are really special. They’re independent shops and so there’s only one in Causeway. In fact, I think there’s only one in the whole…

    #Food   #Places  
    Streetsnaps
  • Jimmy Lee


    Owner, Red Pepper

    “In 1967, I worked as an apprentice at an architecture office by day and then went to night school. I worked on the first floor of the Lee Garden building…

    Streetsnaps
  • Clement Ng


    Salesperson, Journalize

    “We aren’t really like other stationery stores and people started noticing us when we were mentioned in a blog. We slowly developed our own style of running a store…

    Streetsnaps

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.

  • Boon Yuen


    French Bulldog

    “I live above Fung Shing Restaurant. Every day I go for a walk at the Happy Valley racecourse then rest by the benches. Then we go for another round before…

    Streetsnaps
  • K1 and Chun


    Fans of Danish Bakery

    “Places like the Danish Bakery are really special. They’re independent shops and so there’s only one in Causeway. In fact, I think there’s only one in the whole…

    #Food   #Places  
    Streetsnaps
  • Jimmy Lee


    Owner, Red Pepper

    “In 1967, I worked as an apprentice at an architecture office by day and then went to night school. I worked on the first floor of the Lee Garden building…

    Streetsnaps
  • Clement Ng


    Salesperson, Journalize

    “We aren’t really like other stationery stores and people started noticing us when we were mentioned in a blog. We slowly developed our own style of running a store…

    Streetsnaps