While many of Hong Kong's preserved century-old buildings are remnants of the colonial government, it's rare to find safeguarded tenements of a similar age. These, however, offer a true representation of how the majority of the grassroots population lived in the past. The Blue House in Wan Chai could have been torn down, but instead, it was saved by conservationists, eager to retain its rich living history.

Located on Stone Nullah Lane (石水渠街), the distinctive four-storey blue tenement boasts a rich history that predates its 1922 remodel by several decades. Its past life includes functioning as a hospital that offered Chinese medical services to locals in the 1870s, and a residential block housing various businesses on the ground floor – from a martial arts school to a Chinese Bone-Setting Clinic (鐵打醫館) and even a free school. Despite the cramped conditions, the building, accessible via steep timber staircases, was home to hundreds of residents, fostering a strong sense of community life.

Now, the Blue House serves as a multifunctional complex comprising apartments, an exhibition space, social enterprise restaurants, and a community center. It stands as a successful example of heritage revitalization through local engagement, setting it apart from other commercialized heritage sites in the city. The participatory campaigns conducted managed to balance all stakeholders' interests, contributing to the project winning UNESCO’s highest conservation award. So, why not drop by and explore the blue block!

Here's an intriguing fact: Why is the Blue House blue? It's no elaborate story - when the government took over the building in the 1990s, they ran out of every paint color but blue! Now the vibrant blue hue stands as a memorable identity of this cherished historical site. So, embark on a captivating journey to the past, and immerse in the vibrant community life at the Blue House on the next visit to Hong Kong.