European House #12A/ IL47, Cheung Chau. [????-????]

[Updated 11/Sept/2026]

House IL47 was likely built in the first quarter of the 20th century on the southern slope down from the top of Fa Peng.  Because of its lower position, it cannot be seen in photographs taken from the west of the island.

It was a standard-sized bungalow, probably 2 bedrooms, built of granite, south-facing with a 3-arched verandah, with sea views towards the islands to the south.

It was built sometime after 1919, after the first building phase of 1908-15, when Cheung Chau was found to have all the advantages of the Peak for a holiday home, at a fraction of the cost.

To support the front of the property there was a raised platform held in place with granite blocks, with landscaping lower down similar to House 14.

The roof was of reinforced concrete with a shallow pitch.

At the rear of the property and higher up was a cabin for domestics.

Marked as IL47 on the 1938 map, on the GovHK 1962.1 map, it might be construed as 12A.  

In the 1938 list of European owners of Cheung Chau properties, a Mr Sonvea is given as the owner of House 12A.  It's not known if he was a missionary or a wealthy Hong Kong resident, and whether the house was just for holiday use or a permanent residence.

In 1941 the owner was said to be Allan Mackenzie, who died in that year.  He may have moved in 1939/40 from House 13, which he had owned for 20 years.

In the aerial photograph of 1963, the house is seen complete and intact.  Since then, it has not been maintained and now is in a ruined state.  Fortunately we have a picture of it in its pre-war glory from a still from the Lockwood home movie of 1939 qv.