Kennedy Road Demolished 'Ghost' house | Gwulo: Old Hong Kong

Kennedy Road Demolished 'Ghost' house

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Submitted by Unknown user (not verified) on Tue, 2009-09-22 23:15

I'm trying to find some information on the old colonial building that was demolished a few years ago, just before Hopewell Centre Kennedy Rd entrance.  I'm guessing it would be 58-60 Kennedy Road, but I could be wrong.  There's was an article in the Sunday SCMP magazine about a few pyschics going into the building before they were going to pull it down, and they said there was some paranormal disturbing activity going on.  I also remember my mother telling me some story about it being haunted as the owner killed his whole family.  Just wondering what the real story is and what will happen to the site now?  It's been left empty for many years and was wondering if there was any truth to the bad karma / feng shui because of the ghosts...

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Submitted by philk on Wed, 2009-09-23 21:41.

would that be near the top of Ship Street? Several old houses were demolished a few years ago to make way for the much criticised (and still yet to be built)  Megatower. The only one left is Nam Koo Terrace - also said to be haunted.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 2009-09-23 21:45.

No, the one I'm thinking of was similar in design, but was pulled down maybe 8- 10 years ago.  It was on the shady bend in Kennedy Road, just after St. Francis School and just before Hopewell Centre.  It had been abandoned for as long as I can remember, and I used to see it every day - we lived at 52 Kennedy Road, just round the corner.

Submitted by C on Thu, 2009-09-24 09:36.

Hello, I believe you are referring to 15 Kennedy Road. It was the residence of WOO Hay Tong (胡禧堂), the father of the late WOO Pak Chuen (胡百全, lawyer, ExCo and LegCo member). After the Woo family moved out, the house was the location of an art exhibition in 1987, and was the set of some films in the late 1980s. WOO Hay Tong was murdered by his nephew in 1932, and the content of his will is found in the Dec. 1, 1932 issue of the Hongkong Telegraph. It is interesting to note that he wanted his estate to be invested until 21 years after the death of his last surviving children and grandchildren who were born before his death.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 2009-09-24 17:10.

Are you sure it was 15 Kennedy Road?  It's in between St Francis Canossian College and Hopewell Centre so it would be 50+ - 60 Kennedy Road.

Submitted by C on Fri, 2009-09-25 09:17.

The address of St. Francis' Canossian College is 9 to 13, Kennedy Road.  According to Google Maps, Hopewell Centre is at 17 Kennedy Road.  There are much fewer buildings on the north side of the road, thus the disparity in numbering.

Submitted by 80sKid (not verified) on Fri, 2009-09-25 11:12.

I think 50-60 is the other side of the road. There's photos and a brief description of the house at the RAS exhibition of old Hong Kong taken in the late 1970s in the former Central Police Station. You should check it out. It also has photos of other since-demolished buildings on Kennedy Road, including the old school next to no. 15 and the mansion that Bamboo Court replaced.

Submitted by tngan on Fri, 2009-09-25 11:28.

Hi there,

The numbering range you mentioned was basically for the southern side of Kennedy Road.  The odd numbers had not been assigned to the northern side road where some sections of the road had been a straight drop toward the the former military area.

Best Regads,

T

Submitted by pkaspac on Fri, 2010-10-15 14:25.

 Based on your narrative, Woo Hay Tong appears to be a man of mystery. Having died a tragic death, to think that he would leave his estate intact for a period covering 2 generations spanning more than a 100 years, one wonders how he saw the future of Hong Kong? His will in the Dec 1, 1932 Hong Kong Telegraph definitely makes interesting reading. Can anybody provide more details on this newspaper article? Maybe someone in the film industry will find the prospect of producing a TV drama serial on this man very tempting.

Submitted by David on Fri, 2010-10-15 17:49.

I wonder what how the investments turned out, and what the estate is worth now?

You can read the old newspaper online. Click for details.

Submitted by pkaspac on Mon, 2010-10-18 09:58.

The newspaper reference you have suggested has been immensely helpful. It seems to me that trying to implement Woo Hay Tong's wishes would be very tricky, given the complexity in terms of financial and legal considerations.  As to the present state of affairs, it would be closely related to the abilities of the administrators.

Submitted by pkaspac on Mon, 2010-10-18 19:57.

Hi David,

I have only recently joined the "GWULO" fraternity and I am really enjoying myself, immersing myself in the charm of the old Hong Kong. As I love the architecture of old Hong Kong, the Gwulo website is a goldmine of information and images - maybe the only one of it's kind in Hong Kong. I only wish I discovered it sooner.

PK

Submitted by David on Mon, 2010-10-18 23:34.

I'm glad to hear you're enjoying the site, and thanks for joining in. If you see any posts / pictures where you can tell us more about the architecture, your comments are very welcome. It all helps round out the story of old Hong Kong.

Regards, David

Submitted by Admin on Sat, 2014-07-19 22:57.

There is more about 15 Kennedy Road in this thread:

http://gwulo.com/node/5937