Living In Pok Fu Lam Apartments

This neighbourhood stretches along the western coast of Hong Kong Island and is famous for its sunsets and the stunning views of the Lamma channel and out to the South China Seas. It starts at the campus of Hong Kong University at the extreme western end of the Mid Levels and extends all the way to Cyberport. Unlike the southern part of Hong Kong, this western coastline does not have any beaches. The land is elevated and offers unobstructed views.

For those who enjoy the outdoors, there are some famous hiking trails that start here and continue up to the parks and trails of the Peak. Although this area contains a number of historical sites, it is less touristy than other parts of the island and is predominantly a quieter suburb with residential properties.

Pok Fu Lam contains a diverse range of housing, from low-density, low-rise apartments and houses in the Bisney Road / Consort Rise area and Sassoon Road, to the high-density, multi-phase developments such as Baguio Villas and Cyberport. As you browse through the homes for sale in Hong Kong, consider a local estate agent to help you make the final decision.

Typically, the apartments and houses here tend to offer larger spaces with decent ceiling heights and you will get more space than the Mid Levels and other areas along the Southside of the island. Most of the apartment buildings have good-sized balconies from which to enjoy the spectacular sunsets being western facing.

Schools

The Pokfulam area is well supplied with good international schools. The ESF has a secondary school here, called West Island School, and also one of their largest primary schools, called Kennedy School. In addition to this, Kellett School, a British International School, has its main campus for its primary close to Bel Air. GSIS (German Swiss School) has a campus for some of its primary classes. A large new school “The  Independent Schools Foundation Academy”,  a bilingual school with Mandarin and English, is located east of the Cyberport development. For preschoolers, the Woodlands Group has three campuses - the Wah Fu complex, Woodland Tree House in Scenic Villas and Chi Fu. There are also Sunshine House preschools, in Pokfulam Gardens and Chi Fu.

Hospitals

Pokfulam is home to Queen Mary Hospital, the main Government teaching hospital on Hong Kong Island. This hospital is linked to Hong Kong University and there is also a large clinical research building, medical library and various other related departments in the area. It has a comprehensive emergency facility to ensure safety of those in Hong Kong.

Shopping / Amenities

There are few commercial shopping areas in Pokfulam, the main one being part of the Cyberport development where there is a Park n Shop international supermarket and a handful of other selected retail stores. Cyberport also has a cinema complex and is home to the boutique hotel, La Meridien.

There are few restaurants in Pokfulam except in the Cyberport development and Meridien Hotel. There is also a public riding school in Pokfulam run by the Jockey Club.

A Selection Of Residential Developments In The Area:

Tam Gardens

Located just below Tam Towers on a private driveway, Tam Gardens, completed in 1986, comprises 2 low-rise buildings, each with 8 duplex or triplex apartments A-H. They vary in size between 2500 & 2800 sq ft saleable and are either 3 or 4 bedrooms. They all have good outside space with the upper units having private roof terraces & balconies, and the lower ones have balconies & terraces off the living-dining rooms. They have practical layout and good storage throughout. They have views over the sports complex below and the high ones have superb sea views. They all come with a car park.

Residents may apply for membership of the university recreation centre nearby for the use of the gym, badminton court, ping pong, tennis courts, etc.

Scenic Villas

Completed in 1974, Scenic Villas comprises seven 15 storey blocks- each with 2 apartments per floor and 30 units. All the apartments are spacious with 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. They have generous utilities and helper's rooms. The apartments range from 1963-2311 sq ft saleable areas. The facade had been fully renovated in 2013 with new lobbies. The apartments have large balconies with open sea views, and the majority of the apartments have also had the interiors renovated to some degree. There is a small supermarket on-site and a regular mini-bus service to Central.

Residence Bel-Air

Bel-Air is a large luxury development located next to Cyberport which was built in 6 phases. Residence Bel-Air is the first phase which consists of 7 buildings and was completed in 2004. It has a total of 527 apartments. With layouts of 2 and 3 apartments per floor, the sizes range from 632 - 3417 sq ft saleable areas. They mostly have open sea views and balconies. They all have light wood finishing and luxury fitted kitchens and bathrooms. The complex offers excellent clubhouse facilities including a billiards room, children’s outdoor play area, games rooms, cinema, fitness gymnasium with spa and jacuzzi, rock climbing and other multifunction sports facilities, tennis courts and outdoor swimming pools.

Chi Fu Fa Yuen Estate

This vast high rise housing complex in Pokfulam was built in 1981 and has an on-site shopping complex. It comprises 20 towers, each being 28 storey buildings with 4,258 residential apartments and seven towers of five-storey villa-type buildings with 70 household townhouses. The building is well known to have excellent feng shui, with open spaces and good light, and being older than most in the area, the prices to rent or buy are quite reasonable. Chi Fu Yuen has unrestrictive sensational views being located higher on the hillside.

Baguio Villas

Built in 1979, this older development was one of the first to offer a variety of styles and sizes, with recreational facilities. The rear units on Upper Baguio have lush green mountain views, and the majority have excellent sea views. The complex affords good value for space and there is a supermarket on-site and regular minibus service. Baguio is situated close to the modern Cyberport with its office and residential complexes and the entertainment centre. The apartments are very spacious and affordable. They range in size from 1020 to 1687 sq ft and there are 1515 apartments in the estate. On-site facilities include a gymnasium, children’s play area, squash and tennis courts, and a large outdoor swimming pool.

Reach out to the property estate agents at Engel and Volkers to familiarize yourself with their services and product portfolio in this area.