Why Is the Blue House... Blue?

The Blue House is a well-known landmark in Wan Chai. Comprising four separate units, this 4-storey historic building is a typical example of a Lingnan-style house— a style associated with the Cantonese people, as opposed to other Southern Chinese architectures.

Built on the site of the former Wah To Hospital, which was demolished in 1920 to make way for tenements, the actual building was completed in 1922. In 1978, three of the four units were acquired by the Hong Kong government. However, it was only twelve years later, in 1990, that the building was revitalized.

The first three units of the building were painted blue because, at the time of revitalization, that was the color of leftover paint available in the Government Supplies. This choice— or lack thereof— paradoxically undermines the building’s Lingnan style, which favors pale colors over sharp, eye-catching tones.

Ironically, unit 74A, which was not part of the original acquisition by the Hong Kong government and, as a result, was not painted blue, was decorated in a color scheme more respectful of its original architectural style.