Sham Shui Po Public Dispensary
Sham Shui Po Yee Kuk (“Yee Kuk” meaning Clinic),
situated on Yee Kuk Street, was built in the 1930s,
and is an important landmark on the street. It was
confirmed as a Grade III historic building in 2010.
Originally, in the early twentieth century, it was
located next to Tin Hau Temple on Yee Kuk Street.
The initial structure later became insufficient to
meet the increasing demand for medical services;
therefore local residents raised funds to build this
new property, now known as Sham Shui Po Yee
Kuk. In the beginning, the clinic provided only general
out-patient services. In the 1970s, it began
also to offer methadone treatment services. After
the out-patient division moved out in 2001, the
clinic became an exclusive methadone treatment
centre for drug rehabilitation.
The building is a two-storied, reinforced concrete
structure. It is a typical example of Art Deco architectural
design in Hong Kong. The building displays
a simple elegance, with a perfectly symmetrical façade.
The first floor balcony is supported by pillars
and built onto the pedestrian walkway, forming an
“arcade”. The pillars have western classical motifs,
while the balcony railings incorporate bambooshaped
Chinese ceramic tiles, showing that the architecture
has thoughtfully integrated local elements
into its design.
