In pictures: Hong Kong’s groundbreaking Wah Fu public housing estate
Wah Fu Estate’s iconic 1968 design, community spirit and ongoing redevelopment make this Hong Kong landmark a compelling story of heritage, architecture and urban change
Nestled against the green slopes of Pok Fu Lam and overlooking the Lamma Channel, the Wah Fu Estate opened in 1968 as a landmark in Hong Kong’s public housing programme. Designed by architect Donald Liao Poon-huai, the estate was groundbreaking, featuring private balconies and a layout that maximised natural light and sea breezes for every unit. Its location earned it the nickname “the luxury residence for the masses”.
Wah Fu pioneered the “city within a city” model, with schools, markets and social spaces included in the estate. Its “twin tower” blocks, with their open corridors and shared terraces, encouraged a close-knit society, where neighbours could meet against the backdrop of the sea.
After nearly 60 years, this way of life is changing. A phased government redevelopment is under way, with the first residents already beginning to move out to allow the estate to be rebuilt in stages through to the 2030s.
Here’s a look back at how South China Morning Post photographers have captured the evolving spirit and architectural legacy of Wah Fu Estate.
