Mayfair Gardens

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Ching Hong Road entrance
Ching Hong Road entrance

Mayfair Gardens (Chinese: 美景花園) is the first private housing estate on Tsing Yi Island of Hong Kong by Sun Hung Kai, and was established between 1982 and 1985. There are 8 blocks of residence buildings all round the estate, namely Block 5 to 12.

Contents

[edit] Location

The estate was built on the site of Sai Shan Village. To the east of the estate is Cheung Ching Estate and to the west IVE (Tsing Yi). The estate is surrounded by Sai Shan and Tsing Yi Peak north and west.

[edit] Withdrawal of development of Block 1, 2 and 3

In 1980s, there was a growing concern about the environmental safety on the Tsing Yi Island. The proximity of Mobil oil depot to Mayfair Garden triggered the protest of the islanders. The residents demanded for a relocation of the depot to a more distant area. Finally, the depot remained unmoved. The development of Block 1, 2 and 3, together with a bus terminus and a cinema, were forced to be withdrawn.

Although the results were far from desire, it is one of main civil movement in mid-1980s in Hong Kong. Actions against government were organsied by residents and social workers. It encouraged participation in newly devised District Broad and demanded more and more public involvement in policy formulation.

The area now becomes a basketball court, a tennis court and a playground so the estate is open to the Victoria Harbour despite the existence of the newly-built Container Terminal 9 and Rambler Crest which block some of the sea view. The oil depot were relocated at the west shore of the island, separated by the geographic barrier Tsing Yi Peak.

[edit] Access

As the partial withdrawal of development, Sai Shan Road is the only road access to the housing estate. Its bus terminus is installed at the road. Most residents on the other hand use the footbridge entrance at Ching Hong Road.

[edit] Transportation

[edit] Bus

There is a bus terminus in Mayfair Gardens (Sai Shan Road) with the following routes:

  • 243M Mayfair Gardens - Tsuen Wan (Discovery Park)
  • 243P Mayfair Gardens - Tsuen Wan (Discovery Park) in the morning peak hours only

They also share the bus stop(s) at Mayfair Gardens (Ching Hong Road) and/or at Ching Wai House (which is located opposite to Mayfair Gardens) with the following routes:

[edit] Public Light Bus

Green Minibuses are also available inside or near Mayfair Gardens:

Inside the estate

On Ching Hong Road

[edit] Trivia

A lot of people, including the bus company, are confused on the topic, whether the estate is called "Garden" or "Gardens". That is not strange as many of the housing estates in Hong Kong are called "Garden" or "Gardens". As people see "Garden" in their usual life, they think that the estate is called Mayfair Garden but actually the official name is Mayfair Gardens.[citation needed]

Mayfair Kindergarten (美景幼稚園), now closed, was a famous spot for the filming of RTHK children's drama series. The area is now occupied by Crossroad Community Baptist Church.

The 7-Eleven convenience store, now reduced in size, was once the biggest one in Hong Kong. It was used for filming some advertisement about the chain stores in very early days.[citation needed]