My Family History

The history of No. 190 Nathan Road can only be traced to 1930-1937 when it was owned by Madame Lau Tsung (or Chung) Tai (劉松娣)’ Amy Great grandma for residential and commercial use. In 1941 it was recorded by the Japanese that the Lau family were living on the second floor of the building. Lau Tsung Tai held a number of premises which spread along Jordan Road, Granville Road and Nathan Road.

In 1967 the ownership of the building was transferred to her son George , alias Chin Yow-Ching (陳耀正)Amy’ great grand uncle.
This four-storey is located at the southeast corner of Austin Road and Nathan Road so that its front and side elevations (stairs made by Phoebe wood) are very prominent. There are shops on the ground floor with frontages facing Austin Road. The architectural style of the building is Art Deco with some Neo-Classical influence.

The Austin Road elevation has long balustraded verandahs with rounded ends at each floor level with a matching typhoon canopy at parapet level. The parapet wall to the flat roof is decorated with vertical fins. There are two staircase bulkheads on the roof, one at each end. Windows and doors facing on to the verandahs have moulded architraves and the first floor windows have ornamental heads. The ceilings to the verandahs have moulded panels. Most of the windows were imported from Guangzhou Manchuria windows.

The front elevation facing Nathan Road features faux masonry columns and decorative balconies which have been enclosed by glazing. The parapet is in the same style as the side elevation and features a flagpole in the center with a triangular shaped base. The rear elevation is rather plain in comparison with regularly spaced windows. An original wooden paneled door and fanlight can be seen at first floor level. A single storey structure has been built on at this end to form another shop.

Internally the original wooden staircase and balustrade at the Nathan Road end still exists. The staircase at the other end of the building has been blocked off on all floor levels for some unknown reason. This building has been quite well maintained although its authenticity has been impaired by modern window replacements and modern shop frontages.

The architectural style is quite rare and the building has definite built heritage value.

The social value of the building to the community lies in the commercial role it has played in this busy part of Tsimshatsui. Being situated on a prominent corner it is quite a well known local landmark. The site location is at the crossroad between Tsim Sha Tsui and Yau Ma Tei where has been busy, crowded and imperative along the history of Hong Kong.
190 Nathan Road was the first building had Flash Toilet, bathtub for each floor in 1930’ . As the floor plan showed by Alfred Ho, the house plan had a WELL on the ground floor. If it is still in the building than it worth for us to consider to remain the building for our next generation in HK.

Photos were taken between 1939-1950

History of Chin ‘ Family in 190 Nathan Road (1930-1967)

The whole family (Great -grandparents, 3 sons and 4 daughters and one grandson (Henry’ son) from New York USA moved back to Hong Kong in 1930. Madam Lau was selected the land in Nathan Road Kowloon in 1932 and the building was completed in 1937 by an architecture from French and the materials of the building were imported from USA , France, and Guangzhou China. Since Great Grandfather and grandfather were born in California USA both were able to speak Chinese but able to read Chinese. Our great grandmother Madam Lau was a smart businesswoman, and she was in charge all the matters about the building interior and interior design and paid off the building upon the completion the building in 1937 in April.

In 1939 April ,my mum Virginia Chin was born in that building , she was the first child of Mr. William Chin and Marr Suet-Ching.(Second son of Madam Lau).

According to her memory of the incident happened in the house and some parts were from her grandma Madam Lau and also from her uncles and servant. To summary the essential points of the history. I just put it in bullet points:

The first Western style restaurant located at the ground floor of 190 Nathan Road Kowloon from 1937 -1955 named of the restaurant EverGreen café house. The restaurant introduced T- Bone Steak, Pork chops, creamy mushroom soup, Borscht soup (before Cherikoff Restaurant) , bread and butter, cabbage, tomato salad, pancakes ,and home made ice cream. All these menus were very new to Hong Kong people. Of course, Peninsula hotel in Kowloon also had a similar menu but the price was sky high . Due to the location which was nearby Jordan Harbor so most of the ships from USA or UK, the sailors must went there for a hot meal after months in the Ocean. Business were extremely great because all the family members were spoken fluent English. Except Madam Lau.
Madam Lau was a very generous person, she made lots of donations to the church (Catholicism, Christianity) temples (Buddhism & Taoism) Orphanage, and to the relatives from Taishan Guangdong China.
We had about 30 servants , half of them were looking after the family members, and the rest were worked for the restaurant (Evergreen) , they all lived in the house foods and daily supplies were provided to the servants, therefore most of the servants’ relatives begged for the jobs in the house without pay. Madam Lau always said YES, even it was over needed. This peace and prosperities period end on 25th Dec 1941. The evil days started from Japanese invasion Hong Kong for 3 years and 8 months (August 1945).Fortunately , Madam Lau built a biggest store room (200sq meter on the first floor)to storage rice, flour, sugar, salt, soap , all of them were packed into hemp bags . Although food storage supposed enough for the whole family which included 30 staffs and 15 family members (2 daughter in laws , grandchildren 4 , 3 sons and 4 daughters plus grand parents). However , no one expected the dark period was last for 3 years and 8 months. So many relatives walked to 190 Nathan Road to borrow rice, salt etc. Madam Lau (great grandma) never said no although she knew that she had to feed more than 15 people in the house. She was so kind to anyone who knocked her door, some of their legs were inflamed or the child half dead, she must offered foods and herb medicine to them , maybe in this generation do not feel the generous of such small donation but think deeply inside of your mind when everyone’ life was threaten to death , money at that moment was no value, a bucket of rice worth million pound of gold.
1942 Japanese troop requisition 190 Nathan Road as the Japanese soldiers’ canteen. Great grandma had no option to accept and also it was helping the family/relatives to solve the problems of shortage of foods and medicine suppliers for some emergency situation. It was also my grandfather (William) and grand uncle(Henry) suggestion.
Our granduncle and grandfather were both born in USA , they had radio, camera and telecom machine as both were the reporters for USA newspaper. During the Japanese World War did not allow any Chinese writing in the newspaper only allow for English version newspaper. Therefore, their roles were heavy duties and in high risks in seeking for Japanese military information. Granduncle was killed in Chongqing China unknown death reason. Great grandfather was worst, he caught by the traitor named Mr Li and he was hidden himself on the roof garden in 190 for 3 months, but the traitor and the Japanese soldiers were hostages the whole family in 190 Nathan Road , my grandfather couldn’t help just surrendered himself. He was taken to the opposite site Japanese Head Quarter (Tsim Sha Tsui Police Department now) He was suffered different kind of tortures such as watering , burning , electrocution, sticking, hanging a plane, kneeling and so on. Our whole family (Grandma, third son (George), Grand aunties, Mable, May, Isabelle and Mary) suffered substantial tortures for a few days before released from the HELL. Fortunately, my mum (Virginia)was too young, so she didn’t have to go there.
Between 1943-1945 , Great Grandma lost two sons, husband and our grandma. She was so strong to build up the family business again in 190 Nathan road ( Evergreen restaurant) till 1955 . Her contribution to the society was not remarked in Hong Kong history but definitely she had donated to most of the church , temples and the poor people in Hong Kong. Her assets around Hong Kong island and Kowloon side, and she was extremely low profile person. She did not ask for any reimbursement from USA military for her two sons, she never asked the poor people to repay her. Her life was simple and humble.
Our grand uncle and grand father were not named/remarked in any historical record in Hong Kong because both of them were American born Chinese, they worked for USA but their roles were helping USA military to understand Japan Military’ movement in South East Asia. As their grandchild I am very honor and proud to say that they were the silent heroes in the Second World War and they could go back to USA and stay safe but none of them who lived in 190 Nathan Road to choose that way to escape their missions. (All of them had USA passport).
190 Nathan Road story just like a little Shanghai , it had a fantastic period , full of laughing and joys when the customers went to Evergreen restaurant. Also it had a dark period when Japanese Canteen was forced to operate to service the Japanese military. However, it was also a place for someone who need help and my great grandmother never sting to say NO.
The future of 190 Nathan Road to remain or demolish to another high risk building totally on the decision of Hong Kong people. This place has value of the history and the construction of the building can be last for another 100 years.