Remember the British Army barracks? Lai On Estate stands here now. This public housing estate has a story that stretches back through war and refugees to today.
Lai On Estate is in Sham Shui Po, New Kowloon. It is near Lai Kok Estate, Dragon Centre, and Sham Shui Po station. These five residential blocks were completed in 1993. But the land beneath our feet has witnessed much more.
Let’s step back to the early 20th century. This area was once the Sham Shui Po Barracks. The British Army used it from the 1910s to 1977.
During World War II, the Japanese Army attacked the barracks. It became a concentration camp during the Japanese occupation. From 1941 to 1945, it held prisoners.
After the war, the British Army returned. They used the barracks until 1977. Then, the site was closed.
In 1981, part of the land became Lai Kok Estate. In 1983, another section became Sham Shui Po Park. A refugee camp for Vietnamese boat people also occupied a portion.
By 1989, the refugee camp closed. The area was redeveloped. In 1993, Lai On Estate was built. Dragon Centre followed in 1994.
Lai On Estate consists of five buildings. These are Lai Ching House, Lai Lim House, Lai Ping House, Lai Tak House, and Lai Wing House. These buildings provide homes for many people in Hong Kong.
Nearby, you will find Yee Ching Court. It is a Home Ownership Scheme court with three blocks. These were also built in 1993.
In 2016, a census counted the people living here. Lai On Estate had a population of 2957. Most residents were of Chinese ethnicity. Cantonese was their primary language. The median age was 50.1 years. The average household had 2.2 people.
Lai On Estate and Yee Ching Court are in the Lai Kok constituency. This is part of the Sham Shui Po District Council.
Lai On Estate represents more than just housing. It is a place with a rich history. It connects to Hong Kong’s military past. It remembers the refugee crisis. Today, Lai On Estate offers homes and community. It continues to evolve with the city.