Redevelopment of So Uk Estate completed as resident intake at last three blocks commences (with photos)
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The Housing Authority (HA) today (February 21) announced that the intake of residents of the last three blocks of So Uk Estate, Shum Shui Po, commenced today.
"The admission of these three blocks namely Lotus House, Lily House and Larkspur House will mark the final completion of the redevelopment of the entire estate," a spokesman for the HA said.
The new So Uk Estate comprises 14 non-standard residential blocks ranging from 21 to 41 storeys, providing a total of 6 985 public rental housing (PRH) units for about 19 500 residents. The HA endorsed the phased clearance programme of the former estate in March 2006. Clearance was completed by 2011 and redevelopment works commenced afterwards.
Making use of the estate's location on a steep hillside and also some of its well-remembered features, the HA has adopted the former design concept in the course of redevelopment and striven to pursue sustainability, while also conserving community features to enhance the residents' sense of belonging.
The spokesman said, "The residential blocks have been rebuilt in stepped heights to echo the rising topography of the terrain, while the lower blocks, retail and community facilities are placed near street level to achieve a layered visual impression and provide convenience to users.
"We have carried out microclimate studies and taken into account the sun and wind paths in designing the orientation of blocks, endowing them with the benefits of sunlight and air flow.
"Good linkage is another feature of the new So Uk Estate, as there are 10 lift towers, 11 footbridges, 10 escalators and numerous covered walkways connecting the residential blocks to the nearby Po On Road and Fat Cheung Street, providing convenient and barrier-free access to residents.
"Phase I of the new So Uk Estate, which has seven residential blocks, namely Orchid House, Marigold House, Peony House, Cedar House, Willow House, Cherry House and Camellia House, was completed from 2016 onwards, while the first section of Phase II, which has four residential blocks, namely Gladiolus House, Carnation House, Azalea House and Begonia House, started the intake of residents from the middle of this month.
"All the block names are inherited from the old estate and form part of the conservation theme of the redevelopment."
Regarding welfare service and community facilities, So Uk Estate has multiple provisions to cater for different needs. Car parking, with a total of 190 spaces, and a shopping centre comprising more than 30 retail shops, will be provided to meet the daily needs of the residents.
The estate is also equipped with recreational facilities including outdoor play and exercising equipment, badminton courts and a basketball court.
The so-called "Three Treasures of So Uk", otherwise known as the Little White House, a former kerosene shop; Swallow Pavilions with its mural ceiling paintings; and the former estate entrance - a gold-painted portal - were all preserved. They are valuable in the collective memory of residents and visitors alike.
Ends/Thursday, February 21, 2019
Issued at HKT 15:00
Issued at HKT 15:00
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