“Did you ever wonder who shaped Hong Kong’s destiny?” That’s the question Pak Lau Kok whispers to those who pause here. Pak Lau Kok stands as a testament to the Lau family’s rich legacy. They transitioned from metals trading to real estate. The story begins with Lau Pak-lin and Lau Pak-lok. These brothers hailed from Dongguan in Guangdong province.
Pak Hing Loong Ltd was their brainchild. It emerged in the 1940s and was formally incorporated in 1957. The brothers augmented their fortunes by venturing into real estate development in the 1950s to 1970s. Lau Pak-lok’s name is known because of the secondary school in Tai Wai. It was named in his honor. One of his sons even headed the Hong Kong Observatory.
Pak Hing Loong shipped 205 bags of copper scrap to Japan in January 1954. In 1957, the brothers incorporated their firm with a capital of HK$1 million. The company was listed as dealing with mining and minerals. Lau Pak-lin lived at 1 Sui Wa Terrace. Lau Pak-lok resided at 29 Irving Street.
By July 1958, Pak Hing Loong advertised in Singapore newspapers. They sought copper scrap. Their address was 65 Queen’s Road Central. The cable address was Pakmetals. The Lau brothers expanded into real estate using their profits from metals. They established Chi Shing Construction and Kar Lok Investment Co Ltd. Chi Shing developed a residential building at 26 Jordan Road in Kowloon in 1958. In 1962, Chi Shing partnered with Hip Shing Hong to develop Seymour Villa.
In 1963, Chi Shing partnered with Kwong On Tai and Hip Shing Hong. Together, they developed Fu Hing Building. Pak Hing Loong moved to its 9th floor. In 1969, the Lau family created Pak Tak Trading. This sister company dealt in metals. The Lau brothers involved themselves in community affairs. Both served in senior roles at the Lung Kong Association and the Lau Clansmen Association. They were also active in the Tung Kwan Natives Association. In 1984, Lau Pak-lok donated to the construction of the GCCITKD Lau Pak Lok Secondary School.
Lau Pak-lin passed away in April 1967. He was survived by his siblings, his wife Lam Wah, and their children. Lau Pak-lok died in September 1985 at the age of 80. He was survived by his wife Wong Mei-kam, their children and grandchildren.
Daniel Lau Chi-hang, Pak-lin’s son, managed Pak Hing Loong. He also chaired the HK Metal Merchants Association. In 1982, he addressed the press. He spoke about the metals industry. Pak-lin’s daughter, Lau Yuk-leung, taught at Sacred Heart Canossian College. Pak-lok’s eldest son, Lau Chi-man, directed Po Leung Kuk and the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals. While involved in Pak Hing Loong, his main interest was property development.
Pak-lok’s second son, Robert Lau Chi-kwan, studied meteorology. He joined the HK Observatory. He became its director in 1995. Today, third-generation family members are involved in the business. Michael Lau Wing-kong serves as chairman. Alan Lau Wing-fung is vice chairman of HKMMA. Pak Hing Loong has operated out of Fu Hing Building since the 1960s. They trade in non-ferrous semi-products, scraps, and stainless steel.
As you stand here at Pak Lau Kok, remember the Lau family. They shaped not only Hong Kong’s skyline but its community spirit. Their journey from metals to real estate embodies the city’s dynamic entrepreneurial spirit.