Beneath our feet lies a story of water and industry the story of Taikoo Reservoir. This isn’t just a body of water. It’s a relic of Hong Kong’s bustling past.
Taikoo Reservoir’s tale begins with the Taikoo Sugar Refinery. Back in 1894 they needed a reliable water source. So the refinery built this reservoir.
The Taikoo Reservoir wasn’t just for the refinery. It also supplied fresh water to the Quarry Bay area. This was especially vital during droughts. Imagine the relief this water brought to the community.
Interestingly, remnants of this era still exist. Take for instance the No. 5 Dam at Choi Sai Woo Park. Today it is a Grade 2 listed historic building. The park was once part of the Braemar Reservoir also known as Choi Sai Woo.
After the Taikoo Sugar Refinery closed in 1972 things changed. The area was redeveloped into Braemar Hill Mansions and a park. The No. 5 Dam’s tunnel portal remains. Its Classical Revival style hints at the reservoir’s grand past.
Taikoo’s industrial influence extended beyond sugar. The Taikoo Dockyard also shaped this area. The dockyard was a major player for almost 70 years. Its foundation stone now resides near Cityplaza II’s underground carpark.
Before Taikoo Reservoir there was also an innovative cable car system. Built in 1892 the Taikoo cable car ferried staff to the Sanitarium. This summer retreat was located on Mount Parker. It was the world’s first cable car exclusively for people. It even ran over the No. 3 Dam within the Taikoo Reservoir.
The Taikoo Tower was another marvel. It opened in 1983 as the world’s tallest bottling plant. Before Taikoo Tower the site housed a two-story bottling plant. This earlier plant was built after Swire acquired the Coca-Cola franchise in 1965.
Before Swire Bottlers the site had various roles. It served as the Taikoo Chinese School in the 1940s. In the 1920s and 1930s it was an accommodation barrack. Before that it was part of the Taikoo Recreation Ground.
So the Taikoo Reservoir stands as a testament to Hong Kong’s industrial heritage. It reminds us of the Taikoo Sugar Refinery and the Taikoo Dockyard. These entities shaped not only Quarry Bay but also Hong Kong itself. Next time you see water remember that it can be a source of industry and life.