Tai On Building, Residential tower in Sai Wan Ho, Hong Kong
Tai On Building is a residential tower in Sai Wan Ho containing around 1,900 apartments across 28 floors. Its ground level functions as a shopping arcade with numerous retail spaces, blending daily living with commerce.
Completed in 1968, the building generated enormous interest with thousands of applicants competing for apartments, revealing the severe housing shortage of that era. This reflected Hong Kong's rapid urban growth during the post-war period.
The ground floor houses numerous shops where residents regularly purchase local food, from traditional snacks and noodle dishes to the sweet soups known locally as tong sui.
The building sits directly next to a MTR station and tram stop, making transportation highly accessible for residents and visitors alike. The area is a residential neighborhood, so respectful behavior and awareness of private spaces are essential.
The building operates an extensive security system with around 200 surveillance cameras and lacks conventional mailboxes, requiring postal workers to navigate interior hallways for deliveries. This unusual arrangement reflects the distinct security and logistics needs of older Hong Kong residential complexes.
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