So Uk Estate () is an early public housing estate in So Uk, a hillside area of Cheung Sha Wan, Kowloon, Hong Kong. The estate has undergone redevelopment, and new housing blocks are being built in place of the ones demolished. History First generation The estate was built on the site of squatter areas which were demolished for the construction of the estate of 16 blocks from 1955–1963. The blocks were called "Houses" and named after varieties of flowers. The architectural design of the estate was unique in Hong Kong. There were 5,316 flats in the original estate, with areas ranging from 19.5 to 49.1m2, with capacity of 15,200. Planning of the estate was carried out by Eric Cumine, with buildings designed by Luke Him Sau, Chau & Lee and Leigh & Orange. The estate was the home of many famous individuals during their youth in Hong Kong, for example, Sam Hui and his brothers, Wong Ka Kui and his brother in the band Beyond, and many others. Second generation By 2008, after 48 years, the estate was still in good condition but its estimated high maintenance cost made the Hong Kong Housing Authority decide to demolish the six blocks in March 2012. The Authority offered compensation and removal assistance to residents. It allowed residents the option of moving into Un Chau Estate Phases 2, 4, and 5 in Sham Shui Po. A foundation titled, "Farewell So Uk" was established as a historical archive for the Estate and to document its history of its residents. It was sponsored by the Salvation Army of Hong Kong and the Salisbury YMCA. As of 2015, construction of the new So Uk Estate was well underway. The new estate would comprise 14 blocks ranging from 21 to 41 storeys high with nearly 7,000 flats. The Housing Department won a Merit Award from the Hong Kong Institute of Urban Design in 2014 for their community-minded redevelopment approach. The first phase of the redevelopment was completed in August 2016 and the intake of the first tenants was to commence at the end of September 2016. Blocks Old generation Buildings closed / demolished before 2012 Cedar House (金松樓) Cherry House (櫻桃樓) Orchid House (蘭花樓) Gladiolus House (劍蘭樓) Carnation House (石竹樓) Peony House (牡丹樓) Maple House (楓林樓) Willow House (綠柳樓) Marigold House (壽菊樓) Lilac House (丁香樓) Buildings closed in 2012 Azalea House (杜鵑樓) Begonia House (海棠樓) Camelia House