Shek Lei Wan

What secrets does Shek Lei Wan hold? Shek Lei Wan isn’t just a bay. It’s a stage for the grand drama of Hong Kong’s public housing history. Shek Lei Estate, nestled in the northeast of Kwai Chung in the New Territories, overlooks this bay. This estate, initially a resettlement area built in the 1960s, became a symbol of Hong Kong’s rapid development and the challenges it faced. Shek Lei Estate, also known simply as Shek Lei, housed approximately 40,000 residents in 21 blocks, making it the second largest public housing estate in Kwai Chung. Imagine the vibrant tapestry of lives woven within these walls. Shek Lei Estate is divided into two distinct sections: Shek Lei (I) Estate and Shek Lei (II) Estate. Shek Lei (I) Estate primarily consists of buildings constructed in the 1980s and 1990s along Lei Pui Street and Shek Pai Street. Shek Lei (II) Estate, located between Shek Li Street and Tai Loong Street, stands on the grounds of a former resettlement estate from the 1960s. It’s a fascinating blend of old and new. Two original blocks, numbers 10 and 11, built in 1966 and 1967, remain as interim housing. These structures, originally part of the Shek Lei Resettlement Estate, offer a glimpse into the past. They were built during a time of water shortages, and some builders used seawater in the concrete mix. This led to corrosion, requiring the redevelopment of much of the estate in the 1980s and 1990s. Even the children’s playground, a unique sculptural creation designed by American artist Paul Selinger in 1969, was lost to time. It’s a reminder that even amidst progress, some treasures fade. Despite the challenges, Shek Lei Estate continued to grow. Shek Foon House, a 41-story building completed in 2013, added to the skyline. This addition, built on a site originally intended for a recreation center, reflects the ever-evolving needs of the community. From its humble beginnings as a resettlement estate to its current form, Shek Lei Estate, overlooking Shek Lei Wan, tells a powerful story of resilience, adaptation, and the constant pursuit of a better life.