Hong Kong’s Tong Lau Buildings – Home to Landlords and Landladies

Text by MOOK Editorial Department
 
Fans of Hong Kong movies will undoubtedly recognize the memorable characters of the “landlord” and “landlady.” The emergence of these roles is inextricably linked to Hong Kong’s indigenous building type—the “Tong Lau.”
“Tong Lau” buildings can be considered a witness to Hong Kong’s development. They began appearing in Hong Kong in the mid- to late 19th century, typically standing three or four stories high. Initially constructed with blue bricks, their roofs were made of wood and tiles, with wooden staircases connecting the floors. The ground floor was usually occupied by shops, while the upper floors served as residences for the shop owners. The most distinctive feature of these buildings was the “qilou” (arcade) borrowed from Guangzhou, a typical design adapted to the hot and humid climate. After 1930, the primary building material shifted to concrete, and Western architectural styles were incorporated. Most of the Tong Lau buildings that survive today belong to this later style.

Lui Seng Chun
Lui Seng Chun is one of the few remaining pre-war Tong Lau buildings in Hong Kong. Mr. Lui Leung, one of the founders of Kowloon Motor Bus (KMB), moved from Taishan, Guangdong to Hong Kong in his early years. He hired architect G. B. Bourne to design and build a combined shop-house residence—“Lui Seng Chun.” Completed in 1931, the four-story building features an architectural style that blends modern streamline design with classical decorative elements. It includes a wide, continuous street-facing arcade, commonly known as a “running horse qilou,” and the exterior wall also bears a stone plaque engraved with the family business name—both hallmark features of pre-war Tong Lau architecture.

The Lui family’s lifestyle here was “shop downstairs, residence upstairs.” The ground floor once housed the Lui Seng Chun Chinese bone-setting clinic, while the upper floors were living quarters. Later, as the family grew and members moved out, Lui Seng Chun stood vacant for many years. In 2000, the Antiquities Advisory Board of Hong Kong designated Lui Seng Chun as a Grade I historic building. To preserve their ancestral home and give back to society, the descendants of the Lui family decided to donate the building to the government. It was later selected for the Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme, with Hong Kong Baptist University chosen to transform Lui Seng Chun into a Traditional Chinese Medicine and Healthcare Centre. The original doors, windows, and flooring have been preserved. The ground floor now houses a herbal tea shop and an exhibition area for Lui Seng Chun, while the first to third floors operate as a TCM clinic, integrating healthcare, public education, and historical-cultural exhibitions.

The Pawn
The Pawn is located on the original site of the cantilevered balcony building and pawnshop, Hop Yat Building. Ascend the narrow stone staircase to the first and second floors, and you’ll be greeted by a uniquely atmospheric antique British-style pub. The space was specially designed by renowned Hong Kong artist Anothermountainman, featuring an open layout with a blend of modern and retro décor that perfectly merges old and new elements.
This is one of the few places in Hong Kong where you can enjoy traditional British cuisine. The restaurant has specially brought in a British chef to prepare classic dishes from the UK. As night falls, the place fills with patrons, and heading up to the third-floor terrace with friends not only offers unobstructed views of Admiralty and Wan Chai but also makes for a perfect spot for reminiscing and gatherings. Bathed in the glow of evening lights, it exudes a unique charm.

Animation Base
The Animation Base, a new cultural landmark located on Pokfulam Road and Percival Street, was created by renovating ten Grade II historic Tong Lau buildings, each over a century old. The Animation Base includes exhibition spaces that have showcased internationally renowned manga works, as well as classic comics representing various generations of Hong Kong, evoking nostalgia for many. It also houses an anime salon where visitors can read a rich collection of Hong Kong comics. Regular workshops and lectures are held here, making Wan Chai the city’s first art community centered entirely on local anime culture.