private housing estate is a term in Hong Kong that refers to private mass housing – a housing estate developed by a private developer, as opposed to a public housing estate built by the Hong Kong Housing Authority or the Hong Kong Housing Society. It usually is characterised with a cluster of high-rise buildings, with its own market or shopping mall. Mei Foo Sun Chuen, built by Mobil, is the earliest (1965) and largest (99 blocks) example of its kind.
Early real estate 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, Whampoa Garden, 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.
