Blue House

Blue House Cluster does not only consist of Blue House, but also Hospital Hill, Yuk Hui Temple (Pak Tai Temple) and the Headquarters of the “Patrol Guards of the Four Circuits” . In this tour, only Blue House will be focused (Antiquities Advisory Board, 2014).

Originally, Blue House is built for hospital use. In 1872, a two-storey hospital was named as Wah To Hospital (華陀醫院) or called Wan Chai Kaifong Hospital (灣仔街坊醫院)in later on period. Then, it closed down and changed it as Wah To Temple to enshrine him in 1886. Blue House was built Nos. 72-74A Stone Nullah Lane in the 1920s.

Development

In 2006, Hong Kong House Society cooperated with Urban Renewal Authority to revitalize Stone Nullah Lane and other buildings nearby, including Blue House, Yellow House and Orange house. After revitalization, tea and health will be the theme of the tour spot.

In 2007, Wan Chai St. James’ Settlement (聖雅各福群會) are permitted to get the approval and set up Wan Chai Livelihood Place, which further develop to Hong Kong House of Stories in the first floor of Blue House.

Architectural Merit

Blue House is a type of shophouses, which called vernacular building style. As its name calls, a shophouse often include a shop on the ground floor, a semi-public area, and residential accommodation upstairs. Besides, a shophouse tends to be built in a low-rise way. It is because heights are meant to be building technology and level of prosperity in that time. Furthermore, it is special that there is no gap between buildings. Only use a wall to separate two buildings. It is quite common to see this style in the past.

Source: Google