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Taikoo Shing

From Alfawiki
Taikoo Shing
Company typePrivate
IndustryReal estate, residential development
Founded1972
FounderSwire Properties
Headquarters
Quarry Bay
,
Hong Kong
Area served
Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong
ProductsResidential apartments
OwnerSwire Group

Taikoo Shing () is a privately owned residential complex situated in Quarry Bay, on the eastern side of Hong Kong Island. It forms part of Swire's real estate holdings, which also encompass Taikoo Place, the neighboring Cityplaza retail and office center, as well as EAST, a contemporary business hotel.

Etymology

The term Taikoo represents the Cantonese pronunciation of Swire's Chinese designation, while Shing translates to City. Consequently, Taikoo Shing means Swire City. The name Taikoo was initially selected by Thomas Taylor Meadow, the British Consul stationed in Shanghai, when Swire established its Shanghai office in 1866.

Area

Spanning an area of 21.5 hectares (53 acres), Taikoo Shing consists of 61 residential buildings containing a total of 12,690 apartments with sizes ranging from to .

History

The development of Taikoo Shing took place on the former grounds of Taikoo Dockyard, whose cornerstone is still preserved near Cityplaza. Following the dockyard's relocation to the United Dockyards on Tsing Yi Island in the late 1970s, Swire Properties was founded in 1972 to oversee the redevelopment of this site. Completed by the early 1990s, Taikoo Shing emerged as one of Hong Kong's pioneering large-scale private housing estates, aimed at middle-income residents and positioning Swire as a prominent property developer directly managing construction projects.

The commercial sector has expanded with additions such as Cityplaza 3 and 4 office towers. The original Cityplaza 1 was dismantled in the mid-1990s for redevelopment purposes, and the initial food market was removed by 2007 to accommodate a new hotel.

Population and demographics

According to the 2021 census, Taikoo Shing had a population of 34,799 inhabitants.

Apartment units within Taikoo Shing have long attracted both buyers and investors, with housing prices historically reflecting broader trends in Hong Kong's property market during the 1980s and 1990s. Although newer developments have somewhat reduced its market dominance, Taikoo Shing remains a favored residential choice, especially among Japanese and Korean expatriates employed by multinational corporations. This demographic has stimulated demand for services catering to Korean and Japanese cultural preferences in the vicinity.

Housing

The residential estate was constructed in multiple phases, starting with Tsui Woo Terrace. The entire complex includes six terraces and two garden areas, each bearing unique naming schemes.

Tsui Woo Terrace

Tsui Woo Terrace (, meaning "Terrace of the Jade Lake") comprises three mansions named after renowned Chinese lakes:

  • Tung Ting Mansion (洞庭閣) – named after Dongting Lake.
  • Po Yang Mansion (鄱陽閣) – named after Poyang Lake.
  • Tai Woo Mansion (太湖閣) – named after Lake Tai.

Ko Shan Terrace

Ko Shan Terrace (, meaning "Terrace of the High Mountain") contains 13 mansions, all incorporating the Chinese character for "Mountain" (山) as their second character. Many names correspond to famous mountains across China:

  • Tung Shan Mansion (東山閣)
  • Tien Shan Mansion (天山閣)
  • Tai Shan Mansion (泰山閣)
  • Lo Shan Mansion (廬山閣)
  • Nam Shan Mansion (南山閣)
  • Po Shan Mansion (寶山閣)
  • Heng Shan Mansion (恒山閣)
  • Wah Shan Mansion (華山閣)
  • Loong Shan Mansion (龍山閣)
  • Foong Shan Mansion (鳳山閣)
  • Yee Shan Mansion (怡山閣)
  • Kam Shan Mansion (金山閣)
  • Fu Shan Mansion (富山閣)

Kam Din Terrace

Kam Din Terrace (, meaning "Terrace of the Golden Palace") is composed of eight mansions, each incorporating the character for "Palace" (宮) as the second character in their names. The initial character in each mansion’s name represents different Chinese dynasties or historical states:

  • Tang Kung Mansion (唐宮閣) – named after the Tang dynasty
  • Yen Kung Mansion (燕宮閣) – referring to the Yan dynasty during the An Lushan rebellion
  • Yuan Kung Mansion (元宮閣) – inspired by the Yuan dynasty
  • Ming Kung Mansion (明宮閣) – associated with the Ming dynasty
  • Hsia Kung Mansion (夏宮閣) – linked to the Xia dynasty
  • Han Kung Mansion (漢宮閣) – representing the Han dynasty
  • Chai Kung Mansion (齊宮閣) – named after the Qi state
  • Tsui Kung Mansion (隋宮閣) – reflecting the Sui dynasty

On Shing Terrace

On Shing Terrace (, translated as "Terrace of Peace and Prosperity") consists of six mansions, each incorporating the Chinese character for "Peace" (安) as their second character:

  • Ning On Mansion ()
  • Po On Mansion ()
  • Shun On Mansion ()
  • Hing On Mansion ()
  • Kin On Mansion ()
  • Ko On Mansion ()

Harbour View Gardens

Harbour View Gardens () comprises eleven mansions, all named after various types of plants and flowers:

  • Pine Mansion ()
  • Banyan Mansion ()
  • Willow Mansion ()
  • Oak Mansion ()
  • Maple Mansion ()
  • Juniper Mansion ()
  • Marigold Mansion ()
  • Begonia Mansion ()
  • Lotus Mansion ()
  • Wisteria Mansion ()
  • Primrose Mansion ()

Kwun Hoi Terrace

Kwun Hoi Terrace (, meaning "Terrace for Ocean Viewing") includes three mansions, each featuring the character for "Ocean" (海) as the second character, preceded by a cardinal direction:

  • Pak Hoi Mansion ()
  • Tung Hoi Mansion ()
  • Nam Hoi Mansion ()

Sing Fai Terrace

Sing Fai Terrace (, or "Terrace of the Stars") contains eight mansions that all share the Chinese character for "star" (星) as their second character. Several of these names correspond to planets within the Solar System:

  • Hang Sing Mansion ()
  • Tien Sing Mansion ()
  • Hoi Sing Mansion ()
  • Wai Sing Mansion ()
  • Yiu Sing Mansion ()
  • Chi Sing Mansion ()
  • Kam Sing Mansion ()
  • Ngan Sing Mansion ()

Horizon Garden

Horizon Garden () is the most recent development, comprising nine mansions. Each incorporates the Chinese character for "sky" (天) as its second character:

  • Kai Tien Mansion ()
  • Hoi Tien Mansion ()
  • Fu Tien Mansion ()
  • Choi Tien Mansion ()
  • Heng Tien Mansion ()
  • Kwun Tien Mansion ()
  • Yat Tien Mansion ()
  • Nam Tien Mansion ()
  • King Tien Mansion ()

Amenities

Multiple terraces—including Horizon Gardens, Kam Din Terrace, Sing Fai Terrace, and Kao Shan Terrace—feature podium areas designed as communal spaces for residents. These podiums often host children's playgrounds, and mornings typically see elderly residents engaging in tai chi. Retail outlets and educational centres such as Kumon are also located on these podiums.

Between 1984 and 1987, during Hong Kong’s British colonial era, a Chuck E. Cheese's Pizza Time Theatre operated within the estate.

Swimming pools are available at Harbour View Gardens, Horizon Gardens, and Kwun Hoi Terrace, while Kao Shan Terrace provides badminton and tennis courts exclusively for residents.

Education

Tai Koo Shing is situated near numerous kindergartens and hosts the international DSC International School. It lies within Primary One Admission (POA) School Net 14, which encompasses several aided schools along with North Point Government Primary School.

Car parks

Each terrace is equipped with indoor parking facilities offering monthly lease options. For visitors, hourly parking is accessible at the Cityplaza and Sing Fai Terrace car parks.

Transportation

The estate benefits from proximity to the MTR Tai Koo station on the Island line. Additionally, various bus services operated by Citybus and Kowloon Motor Bus provide connections to destinations such as Shau Kei Wan, Admiralty, Sheung Wan, Tsim Sha Tsui, and Jordan.

Most roads within the estate, initially privately owned by Swire Properties, have since been handed back to government jurisdiction, except for those adjacent to Cityplaza. While public vehicles generally have unrestricted access, some areas may have limited entry.

See also

External links

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