King Yin Lei
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
King Yin Lei, also locally (in Hong Kong) known as 45 Stubbs Road, is a magnificent Chinese style mansion locate in the hills above Happy Valley racecourse on Hong Kong Island.
Although the name may not be immediately familiar, the building has featured in several films over the years and will certainly be recognised to anyone who has watched "Lovge is a Many Splendored Thing" starring William Holden. A Korean War drama filmed in 1952.
For Bruce Lee fans the building was used for an instant in "Enter The Dragon", as a long shot of Han's fortress early on in the film (1973). Also Clark Gable filmed "Soldier of Fortune" there in 1955.
Currently privately owned, it is situated on land that is highly desired by the various property developers of HK real Estate, giving the building an estimated current value of approximately HK$400 Million. As such there is great fear that the current owner will realise his vast fortune (he bought it in the 1970's) an sell to the highest bidder, prompting its demolition and redevlopment as luxury flats (as is the vogue for premium land in Hong Kong).
There is a lot of local feeling with regards to the buildings fate and the HK Conservancy Association has entered previous bids to buy the building and thus protect another piece of Hong Kongs rapidly dwindling architectural heritage.
It is currently unknown what will happen to the building, as a public sale in 2004 was postponed while its architectural and cultural worth are decided. It is hoped the building will be declared as a monument and thus preserving it for future generations.
More information can be found on the Conservancy website locate here
