family CLAN’S CONTRIBUTIONS
Pre-War Era
Our family patriarch, Mr. Siu Un (蕭啟垣, alias 蕭垣) had already earned a reliable reputation for the construction of civic and public work infrastructure projects by the early 1900s, notably including the Kowloon Canton Railway (British Section) and the Lee Theatre in Causeway Bay.
He also devoted himself to nurturing his heirs, who would later emerge as notable figures in Hong Kong’s construction and architectural sector, while also expanding holdings through land acquisitions in the modern-day areas of Wan Chai, Causeway Bay, Kennedy Road and Happy Valley.
In the 1920s, during the final decade of his life, and at a time when access to modern medical care remained limited for the Chinese community in Hong Kong, the late Mr. Siu Un made a far-sighted contribution towards the establishment of the Tung Wah Eastern Hospital. This early act of philanthropy not only addressed an urgent social need but also exemplified the clan’s enduring dedication to the welfare of the community it had long served. Nearly a century later, the Grade II listed hospital still stands as heritage architecture today
Post-War Reconstruction and
SOCIETAL NEEDS
In the decades following the Second World War, members of the family contributed as architects and general contractors in supporting the City’s transformative urban expansion.
Meanwhile, other family members contributed towards societal causes in line with Mr. Siu Un’s initial donation towards the construction of the Tung Wah Eastern Hospital in the 1920s - for example, Mr. P.S. Siu’s donation towards the first local haemodialysis procedure carried out at the Queen Mary Hospital on 22 December 1962; and his earlier service on the Board of the Tung Wah Hospital Group.
The projects below represent a selection of Post-War architectural and urban development projects that members of the family clan were involved with.
Unless otherwise stated, the primary source of information used to collate the information below is the HK and Far East Builder Journal (year/issue no./page reference, as cited below).
In addition, the China Mail and the HK Buildings Department’s official filing portal BRAVO were also used, as indicated below.
The projects relating to Mr. Siu Un were documented in his epitaph at the Aberdeen Chinese Permanent Cemetery.
The two projects relating to Mr. Siu Kin denoted with an (*) are based on family oral histories and remain subject to ongoing research and citation.
South Sea Textile Manufacturing
Co. (Tsuen Wan, 1948):
A large-scale facility that marked the inception of Hong Kong’s emergence as a textile powerhouse of that era. General Contractor: Siu Kin & Co.*
Printing house (duddell streeT; China mail 6 Dec 1950):
Among the first large-scale printing establishments in Hong Kong. It catered to the expanding needs of local media, charitable and commercial enterprises. Architect: Leigh & Orange; General Contractor: Siu Kin & Co.
State theatre (king’s road, formerly empire theatre, 1952; BRAVO BD):
Architecturally significant structure distinguished by the innovative use of parabolic concrete arches. In 2017, it was designated as a Grade I listed historic building. Architect: Messrs. G.W. Grey / S.F. Liu and latterly, the firm G.W. Grey & Co led by Authorised Architect: Mr. C.T. Siu.
Alexandra House (Des Voeux Road, 1952):
A challenging development in Central, amalgamating historic sites including the Royal Buildings and Cecil Hotel. Alexandra House housed many British firms, and the offices of the family's construction and latterly, architecture businesses, Siu Kin & Co. and G.W. Grey & Co., on the 10th Floor. Sub-contractor: Siu Kin & Co.*
CABLE & WIRELESS BUILDING (HUNG HOM, 1950 Mar/Apr P.66):
This building was erected for the Lines Department which is entrusted to upkeep the Government land lines. Architect: G.W. Grey; General Contractor: Siu Kin & Co.
CAXTON HOUSE (DUDDELL St, 1953 JUL/AUG P.9):
A six floored office and arcade building in the business district, spanning 5,550 sqft. Architect: Leigh & Orange; General Contractor: Siu Kin & Co.
CHINA FLEET CLUB EXTENSION (1953 Sep/oct p.7):
The strip of land between the HKRNVR and the China Fleet Club was used to build an extension to the Club. Architect: Leigh & Orange; General Contractor: Siu Kin & Co.
Morrision MEMORIAL CENTRE (PRINCE EDWARD RD; 1960 Vol. 15 No.2 p.52):
Described by the Far Eastern Builder as “the happy blend of functionalism and aestheticism” which housed the Chinese Presbyterian Church, Hip Woh School and the headquarters of the Hong Kong district association of the Church of Christ in China. Architects: Leigh & Orange, N.J. Chien; General Contractor: Siu Kin & Co.
ST STEPHEN’s CHURCH hong Kong (BONHAM rOAD, 1965 Sep P.51):
A project that supported the expansion of Christianity in Hong Kong. Architects: N.J. Chien, latterly Wong Ng Ouyang and Associates. General Contractor: Siu Kin & Co.
Catholic Mission School of the Bishop of the Roman Catholic Church (Rutter St, 1967; BRAVO BD):
A project that supported the expansion of Catholic educational institutions in Hong Kong. General Contractor: G.W. Grey & Co. led by Authorised Architect: Mr. C.T. Siu.
