Choi Hung Estate tour highlights its community ahead of redevelopment

Zamm Jyun-bok has lived in Choi Hung Estate for 60 years. Nowadays, he takes visitors around the 62-year-old public housing estate with the aim of explaining what life is like there before it disappears.

Local culture and lifestyle platform, Kongcept has been running these tours since 2022.

The ageing public housing estate is slated for redevelopment, which will start in three years time.

“For some, it could feel like travelling back in time. Since I’ve known this place for so long, I want to share the memories of living here and hope it can help people understand how special the estate is,” the 68-year-old said.

“There would be two empty flats in every building used as a public space starting from the seventh floor. Children would gather there to play after school and on holidays while the older folks would play Mahjong,” Zaam said. “Residents would share food and joy during festivals, something that I cherish a lot in Choi Hung Estate."

Another notable feature of the buildings, he added, is that while the overall layout is quite dense, the arrangement of the high-rise structures introduces a varied elevation, which helps to make the space feel less cramped.

Participants of the tours get to visit old shops and stalls, such as the Ka Nam Store, founded in 1961.

Owner Lau Kei, 70, has lived at the estate for more than 50 years. When his child grew up, he moved to Tseung Kwan O but continues to return daily to run his store.

“I heard from many residents that the walls were peeling off and seeping,” said Lau, adding that he supports the reconstruction of the Choi Hung Estate.

He said that he will miss the people he's acquainted with over the years once the redevelopment project begins.

Kongcept is an organisation founded in 2022 that specialises in Hong Kong culture, including architecture, lifestyle, traditional crafts, community, and pop culture.

Co-founder Hong Ching-wah said that in addition to reconstruction, Choi Hung Estate can be preserved to the “greatest extent” through conservation.

“The concept of preserving certain buildings should not only be because it is a popular photo spot, but also because of the architectural, historical, and community values behind it,” Hong said. “But somehow the government hasn't discussed this possibility .”

Developed in the early 60s, Choi Hung Estate stands as one of the largest and earliest public housing projects in the city. The housing complex is in Wong Tai Sin District. It spans across t 7.9 hectares and consists of 11 blocks comprising 7,400 flats that provide homes for more than 17,00 residents.

Managed by the city’s Housing Authority, it is renowned for its “Instagrammable” aesthetic because of its rainbow-coloured walls.

The Housing Authority announced plans to redevelop the estate in December 2023, citing concerns over the estate’s ageing infrastructure. The project is expected to be completed in 2049 and will provide 9,200 additional flats in three phases over a 15-year period. Rehousing for residents will also take place during the redevelopment’s stretch.