A crumbling red brick facade. This is Nam Koo Terrace in Wan Chai. It stands silently. Its secrets are whispered on the wind.
Nam Koo Terrace a two-storey mansion is a blend of Chinese and European styles. It was built between 1915 and 1921 by a wealthy Shanghainese merchant. Its red brick facade is striking. Its crescent-shaped terrace is elegant. Decorated balustrades add to its charm. However time and neglect have taken their toll. Moss clings to its colonnaded porch. Peeling paint and overgrown greenery shroud it.
During the Japanese occupation Nam Koo Terrace had a dark past. It is rumoured to have been used as a comfort house. Stories of abuse and torture linger in the shadows. Ghostly flames and echoing voices are said to haunt its halls. In 2003 teenagers explored the mansion. They claimed to see dark figures. One was reportedly possessed. Police rescued them. The teenagers suffered mental distress afterward.
For decades Nam Koo Terrace stood vacant. Property developers eyed it. Recently however the mansion’s fate changed. It will become a marriage registry. A rather unusual choice given its history.
Nam Koo Terrace remains a captivating place. It’s a blend of beauty and mystery. It represents a poignant piece of Hong Kong’s past. A place where history and rumour intertwine. A place that will continue to fascinate for years to come.