Location: 60 - 66, Johnston Road, Wan Chai No. of
buildings: 4 tenement houses Completion year: 1888 - 1900s
Historical linkage
The four bays of balcony type tenement buildings form a
continuous facade verandah facing Johnston Road. It is quite likely that certain
parts of the buildings could date from around 1888.
The buildings lie on land reclaimed before 1887.
In 1966, the Yu Clan purchased the building at 64, Johnston
Road and inscribed the Chinese name of The Hong Kong Yu Clansmen Association on
the top verandah facade. Woo Cheong Pawn Shop at 66, Johnston Road was
originally owned by the Lo family, a well-known local pawnshop trader for over a
century.
Architectural attributes
The 4 pre-war residential blocks are unique Chinese-styled
tenement houses, Tong lau, that were occupied exclusively by Chinese
and predominantly seen all over southern Chinese cities and town in the nineteen
centuries.
Tong lau's existence was a culmination of a series of
historic forces from economic development of Hong Kong, Second World War as well
as the influx of Chinese migrants to Hong Kong.
The shophouses were a mixture of Chinese and Western
architectural features. They were built in contiguous blocks in elongated layout
and characterised by their narrow frontage. The shophouses have 4 storeys with
verandahs facing Johnston Road.
Every unit is about 450 - 700 square feet with high ceiling
and French windows to the balconies. Light wells are located between the living
space and the kitchen at the back.
The shophouses did not have toilet provisions. The "nightsoil"
from the pail latrine was collected by government scavengers at
night.
Ground floor is devoted to family business whereas upper
levels are for residential purpose.
Covered pedestrian arcade formed by the projected balconies
and the columns on ground floor provides a sheltered
area.
The four bays of shophouses form a continuous façade
verandah.
60-66 Johnston Road (after
preservation)
More Photos
In 1966, the Yu
Clan purchased the building and inscribed the Chinese name of The Hong Kong Yu
Clansmen Association on the top verandah facade. The interior is virtually
untouched.
The interior of
these two buildings has been considerably altered. The salt glazed rainwater
pipes are of interest and add some character.
Carved moulding
at the top of column
Timber joist
support timber floors finished with tiles.
Timber staircase
connecting each floor.
Woo Cheong Pawn
Shop was originally owned by the Lo family, a well-known local pawnshop
trader for over a century. The building might have been either first built
in 1888 or renovated in 1948.
The ground floor
terrazzo frontage of the pawnshop.
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