Telford Gardens
| Company type | Private residential complex |
|---|---|
| Industry | Real estate, retail |
| Founded | 1980 |
| Headquarters | Kowloon Bay , Hong Kong |
Area served | Kowloon, Hong Kong |
| Products | Residential apartments, retail shopping malls (Telford Plaza I & II) |
| Owner | MTR Corporation (management), Hang Lung Properties, Hopewell Holdings, New World Development (developers) |
| Website | www |
Telford Gardens is a privately owned residential complex situated above the MTR Kowloon Bay Depot, in close proximity to Kowloon Bay station within Kowloon, Hong Kong. The development was a collaborative effort between Hang Lung Properties and Hopewell Holdings, while Telford Plaza II was constructed by New World Development. This estate marks the inaugural property venture of the MTR Corporation, which continues to oversee its management. The official location is 33 Wai Yip Street, Kowloon Bay.
Comprising 41 residential buildings completed from 1980 to 1982, the blocks are identified alphabetically from A through U and collectively contain 4,992 apartments. Initially, a significant portion of units in Blocks R, S, and T were acquired by the Hong Kong Government for housing fire service personnel and police officers, as well as by airline companies for their employees due to the estate’s closeness to the former Kai Tak Airport. Most of these flats have since been released back into the private housing market.
Nearby amenities and facilities
Telford Plaza I, which underwent refurbishment in 2007, ranks among the largest shopping malls in Kowloon Bay. Positioned opposite Telford Plaza I is the newer Telford Plaza II, with aligned exits facilitating access between them. While Telford Plaza I encompasses two floors, Telford Plaza II extends over four levels. The retail complex includes a variety of shops, banking services, dining establishments, a cinema, department stores, and electronics vendors. The outdoor section hosts banks, a kindergarten, a community centre, music and dance studios, the Telford Annex affiliated with the Community College of City University, as well as medical clinics.
Formerly located nearby were Wellington College (now integrated into City University), a police station, offices of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (which have since relocated), and a skatepark.
The estate’s podium area features landscaped gardens with seating areas, a fountain, an open plaza, a pond inhabited by fish and turtles, and a children’s playground situated on the second level that also functions as an entry point for numerous residential blocks. The clubhouse offers amenities including swimming pools, tennis courts, and a gym; since 2006 it has operated under a members-only policy with an initiation fee of HK$10,000 and an annual membership charge of HK$2,000.
Serving as the primary pedestrian corridor linking Telford Gardens with Kowloon Bay MTR station and adjacent industrial zones is Telford Plaza’s air-conditioned walkway system, which remains accessible around the clock.
At the far end of Telford Plaza II stands the MTR Headquarters Building, commonly referred to as "MTR Tower." Minibus stops and taxi stands are conveniently located beneath Level 3 of Telford Plaza II. The estate is supported by four carparks—two designated for shoppers and two reserved for residents.
Located beneath Telford Gardens is the Kowloon Bay Depot, recognized as the largest maintenance facility within the MTR network. It provides servicing for trains operating on the Kwun Tong line and was originally intended to support operations on the East Kowloon line. This depot stores and maintains MTR Metro Cammell EMU trains and previously housed MTR Rotem EMU trains until 2009. Additionally, during 2003–2004, certain M-Train sets underwent refurbishment here in preparation for deployment on the Disneyland Resort line.