The First Estates: The Story of Fairview Park and Hong Lok Yuen with Documents

Nissim also re-examines the role of Clifford Wong, the visionary behind these projects. Exhaustive research and interviews with early residents who still live in the estates, early employees in the various relevant departments, and Wong’s descendants complete this volume and enhance the understanding of Hong Kong’s urban history.

‘This book records a unique period in Hong Kong’s evolution in terms of urban development prior to the establishment of a formal town planning system. Given that much of this history has already been lost, the book therefore has considerable archival merit with regard to both estate projects and the man behind them, Clifford Wong.’ —Keith Mckinnell, founder and managing director of the Real Estate Academy

‘Roger Nissim is to be congratulated on producing this excellent review of two pioneering and groundbreaking projects in Hong Kong. This study underlines the realities of the market. This is well illustrated by the care with which Clifford Wong monitored the property cycle, and the considered manner and speed with which he made critical decisions regarding land premium and other risk-related issues.’ —Nicholas Brooke, former president of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors