“Happiness abounds” they say. That’s what Moon Lok Dai Ha means in Cantonese. And looking at these four eleven-story blocks bathed in orange and white paint you can almost feel it. Built between 1964 and 1965 Moon Lok Dai Ha is more than just apartments.
It’s a piece of Hong Kong’s history. A testament to the Hong Kong Housing Society’s efforts to provide affordable housing. Imagine the families that have called this home for generations. Their lives woven into the very fabric of these buildings.
This isn’t just bricks and mortar. It’s a community. A place where neighbors share stories over tea in the extensive courtyard. Where children chase each other through the greenery. A two-storey community center anchors the courtyard. It hosted countless gatherings providing much needed space for social activities for the local elderly residents and all the inhabitants.
Moon Lok Dai Ha underwent a significant renovation in 2003. A $130 million investment to update the buildings. Remarkably this was achieved without relocating any of the residents. Think of the disruption that would have caused. The effort made to preserve this community.
This estate holds a unique distinction. It was designed by the same architect who designed the previous Bo Shek Mansion. The similarities in their design are striking. Moon Lok Dai Ha offers flats ranging from tiny 20 square meters to spacious 49 square meters. Not mansions but homes nonetheless.
Now undergoing major redevelopment Moon Lok Dai Ha continues to evolve. Its future remains uncertain. Yet it will always hold a place in Hong Kong’s story. A place where happiness truly abounded. And still may.