Did you know that Shek Lei Estate is more than just a housing complex? It is a vibrant community with a rich history. Today we will explore Shek Lei Tau.
Shek Lei Estate, also known as Shek Lei, is a public housing estate in Hong Kong. It sits in the Shek Lei Pui area of Kwai Chung in the New Territories. You will find it near Shek Yam Estate, On Yam Estate and Shek Yam East Estate.
The estate splits into two parts. These are Shek Lei I Estate and Shek Lei II Estate. There are 21 residential blocks with about 40000 people. Shek Lei Estate also has two shopping centers. It is Kwai Chung’s second-largest public housing estate after Kwai Chung Estate. Yi Fung Court links to Shek Lei Estate. It offers a two-block Home Ownership Scheme property.
Shek Lei Resettlement Estate was built in the 1960s. It was completed in 1971. The estate features interlinked high-rise Old Slab blocks. These are similar to other 1960s estates in Hong Kong.
PWD built public housing estates more basic than others. The Housing Society or Housing Authority took over in the 1970s. A unique children’s playground opened in 1969. American artist Paul Selinger designed it for the Urban Services Department. The Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club funded it. Sadly, the playground was removed in the 1990s.
By 1975, about 69600 people lived here. It was the most populous public housing estate in Tsuen Wan New Town.
In the 1960s, Hong Kong faced water shortages. Some contractors used seawater to prepare concrete. This led to corrosion and spalling. By the 1980s, safety became a concern. Tests showed weak concrete in some Shek Lei Estate blocks. The entire estate was redeveloped in the 1980s and 1990s. Blocks 10 and 11 were converted into interim housing in 1996–97.
Shek Foon House is the newest block. The site was for a Regional Council recreation center. The council was abolished. The site remained unused. Local residents were not happy. The Housing Authority took over the site. Construction of the 41-storey block began in November 2009 and finished in 2013. It cost about HK$370 million.
Shek Lei I Estate has nine blocks. Seven blocks finished in the 1980s. They are on Lei Pui Street. Shek On House and Shek Tai House are on Shek Pai Street. They were built during redevelopment in the 1990s.
Shek Lei II Estate sits between Shek Li Street and Tai Loong Street. It was built on a resettlement estate site from the 1960s. The estate was redeveloped between the 1990s and 2000s. Blocks 10 and 11 provide interim housing. They offer 1946 units for homeless families not yet eligible for public housing.
In 2020, it was announced that the two interim housing blocks would be demolished. Redevelopment is expected to finish in 2028. It plans to provide 1600 new flats.
According to the 2016 by-census, Shek Lei I Estate had 13567 residents. Shek Lei II Estate had 26329 residents. In total, there were 39896 people.
Shek Lei Shopping Centre serves the residents. It divides into Phase I and Phase II. Both are at the junction of Tai Loong Street and Wai Kek Street.
In late 2017, Link REIT sold Shek Lei Shopping Centre to Gaw Capital. This caused concern among tenants. Gaw Capital said rent would be tied to sales turnover.
Shek Lei Estate truly reflects Hong Kong’s dynamic history. It shows its commitment to providing homes for its people.