Divas that look after their looks never really lose the spotlight: they always catch the eye of those eager to discover what’s next while keeping loyal admirers captivated. Lok Fu Place is a grand dame that shines as bright as ever while setting new standards for reaching way beyond the community it serves.
Under the protection of the Lion Rock silhouette, Lok Fu is a densely populated grassroots neighbourhood. Sited in west Wong Tai Sin district, it swelled with waves of refugees after World War II. In the late 50s, resettlement commenced with Lok Fu and Wang Tau Hom estates joining the city’s first wave of public housing blocks. Those who risked it all in their escape to Hong Kong only to find squatter living conditions rejoiced after they moved into the neighbourhood’s contemporary flats with Morse Park greenery nearby. Elation erupted again when transportation and daily needs were met with the opening of Lok Fu MTR station and Lok Fu Place in 1979 and 1985, respectively.
While the estates were completely renovated in the 80s and 90s, not much changed at the 63,000 sqm Lok Fu Place until Link took over its management in 2005. As its first enhancement project, there was no precedent. Systematic observation indicated pros and cons: the hilly complex boasted loyal customers and easy access to public transport, yet the wet market was dark, damp and dilapidated. There was no logic to the flow of its tenant mix: a fashion label might be next to a dentist. Compounding the disparate shops and services was Wang Tau Hom South Road, effectively slicing the rabbit warren into two disconnected halves. Link operated a shuttle bus for Beacon Hill residents and staff members of Television Broadcasting on Broadcast Drive to Lok Fu Place, but the mall lost this reliable footfall after the latter relocated to the New Territories. TVB’s move was the final straw: the tired and confusing complex offered little reason for people— even those living upstairs— to drop by, much less stay.
Interventions to Lok Fu Place encountered the community’s resistance at first: after all, everyone wants to stick with what they know, even if it was not the best it could have been. What if they don’t recognise their grand dame after the makeover? They were understandably wary of corporates swooping in with top down solutions, despite being reassured there would be plenty to like: not just for them but for newbies who had never heard of Lok Fu before. Then, Link put its money where its mouth was and got it done—again and again.
The entire complex was transformed into one cohesive and contemporary whole, completed in 2010. Like grouped with like: doctors and medical practitioners occupy one corridor while anchor tenants such as department stores are orbited by a constellation of complementary shops. A cheerful Fresh Market with clear signs, bright lighting and multiple entries is a complete 180 to what it replaced, reopening in 2013. The complex’s Zones A and B each has its own identity with physical connections via a walkway and visual connections through similar graphics. In Zone A’s 1,200 sqm glamping courtyard lined with cafes and casual eateries, kids romp and seniors rest. Unveiled in 2022, it is a landscaped nod to nearby Lion Rock Country Park. A running track surrounding a second green outdoor space in Zone B is now a trendy after- school teen hub. Each of the transformations to Lok Fu Place lured followers back to their grand dame.
Changes to Lok Fu Place over two decades continue today in keeping with new placemaking benchmarks. A piano in an escalator landing supports budding musicians in their practice. A Sustainability Lab curated by Link offers a roster of interactive exhibitions showcasing how sustainable living impacts daily lives while acting as a platform connecting smart NGO initiatives with a wider audience. Contemporary home department store Nitori opened following the success of its Japanese cousin UNY in the complex, boosting interest in kawaii culture. With affluent residents from Broadcast Drive, Kowloon Tong and Beacon Hill neighbourhoods now shopping, dining and playing in Lok Fu Place, the grand dame is spreading her wings. After being a catalyst for the evolution of Hong Kong’s market scene, today Lok Fu Place’s Fresh Market is a must-visit destination. Lok Fu Place will always be a community hub for those who live in nearby estates. Its remarkable transformation past and present is why its promise as much more than a neighbourhood destination is so exciting.
“ By thinking about the numerous daily activities of the residents, we expanded the reasons for them to come to Lok Fu Place”
“Many lay down here and bathe in the sun; young kids sit and read books or eat snacks—it’s what we want to see people doing on the grass in the courtyard”
“The atmosphere of Food Square’s central space completely changed from a plain and dull courtyard into a wonderful magnet where the neighbourhood could relax— making me realise what my community mall could be”
