A private housing estate is a term in Hong Kong

Hong Kong

Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...

 that refers to a housing estate

Housing estate

A housing estate is a group of buildings built together as a single development. The exact form may vary from country to country. Accordingly, a housing estate is usually built by a single contractor, with only a few styles of house or building design, so they tend to be uniform in appearance...

 developed by a private developer, as opposed to a public housing estate

Public housing in Hong Kong

Public housing in Hong Kong is a set of mass housing programmes through which the Government of Hong Kong provides affordable housing for lower-income residents. It is a major component of housing in Hong Kong, with nearly half of the population now residing in some form of public housing...

 built by the Hong Kong Housing Authority

Hong Kong Housing Authority

The Hong Kong Housing Authority is the main provider of public housing in Hong Kong. It was established in 1973 under the Housing Ordinance and is an agency of the Government of Hong Kong...

 or the Hong Kong Housing Society

Hong Kong Housing Society

The Hong Kong Housing Society or Housing Society for short, is the second largest public housing provider in Hong Kong . The HKHS is a non-governmental organization and non profit organization that was founded in 1948 by "members coming from all walks of life" with a donation of £14,000...

. It usually is characterised with a cluster of high-rise buildings, with its own market

Market

A market is one of many varieties of systems, institutions, procedures, social relations and infrastructures whereby parties engage in exchange. While parties may exchange goods and services by barter, most markets rely on sellers offering their goods or services in exchange for money from buyers...

 or shopping mall

Shopping mall

A shopping mall, shopping centre, shopping arcade, shopping precinct or simply mall is one or more buildings forming a complex of shops representing merchandisers, with interconnecting walkways enabling visitors to easily walk from unit to unit, along with a parking area — a modern, indoor version...

. Mei Foo Sun Chuen

Mei Foo Sun Chuen

Mei Foo Sun Chuen or simply Mei Foo is a large private housing estate in Lai Chi Kok , Kowloon, Hong Kong. Mei Foo Sun Chuen was the first private housing estate in Hong Kong and at the time of completion, the 99 tower complex was considered the largest private housing development in the world,...

, built by Mobil

Mobil

Mobil, previously known as the Socony-Vacuum Oil Company, was a major American oil company which merged with Exxon in 1999 to form ExxonMobil. Today Mobil continues as a major brand name within the combined company, as well as still being a gas station sometimes paired with their own store or On...

, is the earliest (1965) and largest (99 blocks) example of its kind.

Early real estate

Real estate

In general use, esp. North American, 'real estate' is taken to mean "Property consisting of land and the buildings on it, along with its natural resources such as crops, minerals, or water; immovable property of this nature; an interest vested in this; an item of real property; buildings or...

 development in Hong Kong follows urban street pattern. Single blocks of building are packed along streets and most of them are managed independently. The quality varies from block to block. Private housing estate on the contrary provides integrated management throughout whole estate, attracting more affluent residents.

Mei Foo Sun Chuen, Taikoo Shing

Taikoo Shing

Taikoo Shing, or Tai Koo Shing , is a private residential in Quarry Bay, Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong. It forms a part of the Swire Properties's Island East residential and retail branding, along with TaiKoo Place, the adjacent Cityplaza retail and office complex and EAST, a lifestyle business...

, Whampoa Garden

Whampoa Garden

Whampoa Garden is the largest private housing estate located in Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong. It was built on the site of the former Whampoa Dockyards under Hutchison Whampoa Property's "garden city" concept and completed in 1991.-Features:...

, City One Shatin are early notable examples. The idea became widely accepted as the middle class of Hong Kong emerged. More projects follow and now is a major form for developing private housing.

Trends

WIth the economies of scale of large developments, and the lifting of height restrictions since the opening of the new airport

Hong Kong International Airport

Hong Kong International Airport is the main airport in Hong Kong. It is colloquially known as Chek Lap Kok Airport , being built on the island of Chek Lap Kok by land reclamation, and also to distinguish it from its predecessor, the closed Kai Tak Airport.The airport opened for commercial...

 at Chek Lap Kok

Chek Lap Kok

Chek Lap Kok was an island in the western waters of Hong Kong. Together with the smaller Lam Chau, it was leveled and merged via land reclamation into the platform for the current Hong Kong International Airport, which opened for commercial operations in 1998...

, there is the tendency of new private tower block

Tower block

A tower block, high-rise, apartment tower, office tower, apartment block, or block of flats, is a tall building or structure used as a residential and/or office building...

 developments with 10 to over 100 towers, ranging from 30-to-70-storeys high.

There has also been a trend in joint ventures between the already oligopolistic real-estate developer in Hong Kong. Developers have been increasingly partnering up to bid for development sites. At a land auction on May 8, 2007, the Government warned developers not to collude in bidding.

The wall effect

There is currently some controversy over the "wall effect" caused by uniform high-rise developments which adversely impact air circulation and aggravate the heat effect but also impact public hygiene and contribute to air pollution. Private developers seeking to maximise revenues have tended to build uniform blocks on seafront sites to give all units unrestricted sea view.

Environmental

Environmentalism

Environmentalism is a broad philosophy, ideology and social movement regarding concerns for environmental conservation and improvement of the health of the environment, particularly as the measure for this health seeks to incorporate the concerns of non-human elements...

 group Green Sense expressed concern that their survey on 155 housing estates found 104 have a 'wall-like' design. It cited estates in Tai Kok Tsui

Tai Kok Tsui

Tai Kok Tsui is an area west of Mong Kok in Kowloon, Hong Kong. The mixed land use of industrial and residential is present in the old area. The Cosmopolitan Dock and oil depots were previously located there...

 and Tseung Kwan O

Tseung Kwan O

Tseung Kwan O is a bay in Sai Kung District, New Territories, Hong Kong. In the northern tip of the bay lies the Tseung Kwan O Village....

 as the "best examples".

Head of the Planning Department, Ava Ng, argued that the air ventilation factor has been taken into consideration with regard to the auction of all prime sites on the land application list, and said the erection of tall buildings at these sites will not create any "wall effect."

An air ventilation assessment is required only for sites with a total gross floor area of more than 100,000 square metres, according to technical guidelines in existence since 2006.

In May, 2007, citing concern over developments in West Kowloon

West Kowloon

West Kowloon is a part of Kowloon, Hong Kong situated within the Yau Tsim Mong District. It is bounded by Canton Road to the east, Victoria Harbour to the west and the south, and Jordan Road to the north. Further to the north, the area extends to Tai Kok Tsui to the west of the West Kowloon...

, and near Tai Wai

Tai Wai (KCR)

Tai Wai Station is an interchange station on the East Rail Line and the Ma On Shan Line of the Mass Transit Railway system in Hong Kong. The station is located in Tai Wai, Sha Tin District....

 and Yuen Long

Yuen Long (KCR)

Yuen Long is a MTR Station located in the eastern of Yuen Long Town, Yuen Long District. It is an interchange between the West Rail Line and the Light Rail . It is between Kam Sheung Road and Long Ping stations on the West Rail Line...

 railway stations, Wong Kwok-hing of the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions

Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions

The Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions is a pro-Beijing labour and political group in Hong Kong. It is the largest labour group in Hong Kong with over 341,000 members in 181 affiliates and 62 associated trade unions.-Policies:...

 proposed a motion calling for measures to reduce screen-like buildings which maximise good views at the expense of air flow in densely populated areas. The motion was vetoed by functional constituency

Functional constituency

In the political systems of Hong Kong and Macau, a functional constituency is a professional or special interest group involved in the electoral process...

 representatives.

Hong Kong Island

Name	Chinese Name	Area	Completed	|No Blocks	No Units	Developer
39 Conduit Road 39 Conduit Road 39 Conduit Road is a residential property situated in Conduit Road in western mid-Levels of Hong Kong. It is a prestige development by Henderson Land Development....	天匯	Mid-levels Mid-levels Mid-levels is an expensive residential area on Hong Kong Island in Hong Kong. It is located halfway up Victoria Peak, directly above Central...	2009	1 (46/F)	66	Henderson Land Development Henderson Land Development Henderson Land Development Co. Ltd. is a listed property company and a constituent of the Hang Seng Index. The company's principal activities are property development and investment, project management, construction, hotel operation, department store operation, finance, investment holding and...
Bel-Air Residence	貝沙灣	Cyberport Cyberport Cyberport is a creative digital community with a cluster of technology and digital content tenants. It is owned and managed by Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited which is wholly owned by the Hong Kong SAR Government...	2004 and 2008
Heng Fa Chuen	杏花邨	Chai Wan Chai Wan Chai Wan , formerly mistakenly known as Sai Wan , lies at the east end of the urban area of Hong Kong Island next to Shau Kei Wan. The area is administratively part of the Eastern District, and is a mosaic of industrial and residential areas...	1982	48	6,504	MTR Corporation MTR Corporation MTR Corporation Limited is a company listed on the Hong Kong Exchange and included in the Hang Seng Index. MTR owns and runs the Hong Kong MTR metro system, and is also a major property developer and landlord in Hong Kong... Kerry Properties Kerry Properties Kerry Properties Limited is a listed company engaged in property development in Hong Kong, Mainland China and Asia Pacific region; third party logistics, freight services and warehouse operations ; infrastructure projects in Hong Kong and Mainland China; and hotel ownership and operations in...
Island Resort	藍灣半島	Siu Sai Wan Siu Sai Wan Siu Sai Wan is a newly developed residential area in the northeastern part of Hong Kong Island in Hong Kong. It is located in the eastern part of Chai Wan, and is administratively under the Eastern District. The population is about 80,000.-Location:...
Nam Fung Sun Chuen Nam Fung Sun Chuen Nam Fung Sun Chuen , built 1978, is a private apartment estate in Quarry Bay, Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong. Consisting of 12 buildings distributed along Greig Road and Greig Crescent with a car park at centre of the development, it was developed by Nam Fung Development...	南豐新邨	Quarry Bay Quarry Bay Quarry Bay is an area beneath Mount Parker in the Eastern District of Hong Kong Island, in Hong Kong. The western portion of the area was also formerly known as Lai Chi...	1978	12	2,826	Nam Fung Development

Kowloon

Name	Chinese Name	Area	Completed	|No Blocks	No Units	Developer
Harbour Green	君滙港	Tai Kok Tsui Tai Kok Tsui Tai Kok Tsui is an area west of Mong Kok in Kowloon, Hong Kong. The mixed land use of industrial and residential is present in the old area. The Cosmopolitan Dock and oil depots were previously located there...	2007	5	1,514	Sun Hung Kai Properties MTR Corporation MTR Corporation MTR Corporation Limited is a company listed on the Hong Kong Exchange and included in the Hang Seng Index. MTR owns and runs the Hong Kong MTR metro system, and is also a major property developer and landlord in Hong Kong...

New Territories

Name	Chinese Name	Area	Completed	|No Blocks	No Units	Developer
Allway Gardens	荃威花園	Tsuen Wan Tsuen Wan Tsuen Wan is a bay in the Kowloon area of Hong Kong, opposite to Tsing Yi Island across Rambler Channel. The market town of Tsuen Wan emerged for the surrounding villages and fleets of fishing boats in the area. The town is around the present-day Tsuen Wan Station of the MTR...	1978 and 1981	16		Hopewell Holdings Hopewell Holdings Hopewell Holdings Limited ,, established on 17 October, 1972], is a Hong Kong-listed infrastructure and property firm headed by Sir Gordon Wu.-History:It was listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong in 1972....
Belair Gardens	富豪花園	Sha Tin Sha Tin Sha Tin, also spelled Shatin, is an area around the Shing Mun River in the New Territories of Hong Kong. Administratively, it is part of the Sha Tin District.-Geography:...
Castello	帝堡城	Sha Tin Sha Tin Sha Tin, also spelled Shatin, is an area around the Shing Mun River in the New Territories of Hong Kong. Administratively, it is part of the Sha Tin District.-Geography:...
City One City One City One Shatin is a residential area in the District of Sha Tin, New Territories, Hong Kong. City One is located 12.5 kilometres north of Central. City One is the largest private residential estate in Sha Tin District. There are a total of 52 blocks of residential buildings...	沙田第一城	Sha Tin Sha Tin Sha Tin, also spelled Shatin, is an area around the Shing Mun River in the New Territories of Hong Kong. Administratively, it is part of the Sha Tin District.-Geography:...
Tseung Kwan O Plaza	將軍澳廣場	Tseung Kwan O Tseung Kwan O Tseung Kwan O is a bay in Sai Kung District, New Territories, Hong Kong. In the northern tip of the bay lies the Tseung Kwan O Village....	2004	8	2,880	Nan Fung Group Nan Fung Group Nan Fung Group is a privately held group of companies carrying on the business of property development as its core business in Greater China including shipping, textiles and financial services. It is also one of the leading property developers and largest privately held developers in Hong Kong.Nan...
YOHO Town YOHO Town YOHO Town is one of the private housing estates and shopping centres in Yuen Long, New Territories, Hong Kong, developed by Sun Hung Kai Properties. It is divided into 3 phases. Phase 1 has 2,200 residential units in eight blocks built in 2004. Phase 2 is completed in 2010 and phase 3 still yet to...	新時代廣場	Yuen Long Yuen Long Yuen Long , formerly Un Long, is an area and town located in the northwest of Hong Kong, on the Yuen Long Plain. To its west lie Hung Shui Kiu and Ha Tsuen, to the south Shap Pat Heung and Tai Tong, to the east Au Tau and Kam Tin, and to the north Nam Sang Wai.-Name:The Cantonese name Yuen Long 元朗...	2004	8	2,200	Sun Hung Kai Properties
Festival City	名城	Tai Wai Tai Wai Tai Wai is an area in the New Territories of Hong Kong, located between Sha Tin New Town and the Lion Rock. It is the largest part of the Sha Tin District.... , Sha Tin Sha Tin Sha Tin, also spelled Shatin, is an area around the Shing Mun River in the New Territories of Hong Kong. Administratively, it is part of the Sha Tin District.-Geography:...	2009-	12	4,304	Cheung Kong Holdings