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Vincenzo La Torre

Chief Editor, Style; Fashion Editor, Post Magazine


One of Hong Kong’s most storied families, the Harilelas live in a 25,000 square foot (2,322 square metre) complex in Kowloon Tong.
Built in the early 1970s, the structure is a sprawling mansion housing more than 90 people, evenly split between family members and staff.
Stories behind Hong Kong districts: Kadoorie Hill, a family’s leafy oasis
The family, who moved from India to Hong Kong in the 1930s, made their fortune selling textiles to British and American forces during the second world war and then the Korean war.
They subsequently developed a thriving tailoring business and went on to establish a hospitality group with properties in Asia, Australia and Europe.


 
 
Featuring an eclectic mix of design styles, the Kowloon Tong building is one of Hong Kong’s most distinctive landmarks.
The ground floor, as family patriarch David Harilela explained in a recent interview, is purely for entertainment.
The Harilelas are known for their warm hospitality, often hosting events in the round-shaped Mogul Room, which wouldn’t be out of place on a Bollywood movie set; the more intimate Function Room, which features a stunning glass table inlaid with gold leaf; and the lovely Japanese Garden.



The centrepiece of the house, however, is the temple, where family members begin and end their days by praying.
“We’re Hindus,” explains David Harilela. “But we believe that God is infinite so in our temple we respect all gods and we pay homage to Buddha, Jesus Christ, …”
This belief is reflected throughout the house, where you’re as likely to see statues of Hindu gods as sculptures of the Buddha or Chinese deities.

Keeping the family together under one roof is still a core tenet of the Harilela clan. “My grandmother wanted the family to stay together,” says David Harilela. “She told my father [George] and my uncle Hari to stay together because whether we will always be rich or poor, the strength lies in the family.”


Tracing the evolution of Hong Kong’s elite English-medium schools

How Hong Kong led the way for women priests in the 1970s – ahead of even the UK

How reverse migration turned pigeon into a culinary staple in Hong Kong

Has Hong Kong ever truly been home to any famous writers?

Old Hong Kong

Inside the Hong Kong mansion of the Harilelas, one of city’s wealthiest families

The impressive Mogul Room in the Harilela family complex in Kowloon Tong, Kowloon.

The temple at the Harilela House

The Function Room in the Harilela House in Kowloon Tong

A rare photo of the entire Harilela clan, taken in the early 90s in Hong Kong

David Harilela, photographed at his home in February 2019

Kowloon Tong history: Hong Kong’s original garden city and its unusual path

Prince Edward Road, Kowloon in Dec. 1927, towards Kowloon City in the the direction of Kai Tak. [HK - THEN AND NOW]

Tat Chee Avenue in Yau Yat Chuen, which was developed in 1950 as a Chinese counterpart to Kowloon Tong. Photo: Christopher DeWolf [FEATUES 2018]

The St Teresa's Church in Prince Edward Road. 07JUN74

Members of the British Parliament visit the Kowloon Tsai squatter area. 09APR69 SCMP/Chu Ming-hoi

Verbena Road in Yau Yat Chuen. Photo: Christopher DeWolf [FEATUES 2018]

One of the original houses built as part of Montague Ede's Kowloon Tong estate between 1922 and 1932. Photo: Christopher DeWolf [FEATUES 2018]

Some of Kowloon Tong's single-family houses have been converted into love hotels. Photo: Christopher DeWolf [FEATUES 2018]

A leafy square on Magnolia Road in Yau Yat Chuen, an area developed in 1950 as a Chinese counterpart to Kowloon Tong. Photo: Christopher DeWolf

Lifestyle

Featuring an eclectic mix of design styles and lavish interiors, the Harilela family’s Kowloon Tong complex is one of Hong Kong’s most distinctive homes
The sprawling mansion houses more than 90 people and includes the Mogul Room, which would not look out of place on a Bollywood set


Featuring an eclectic mix of design styles and lavish interiors, the Harilela family’s Kowloon Tong complex is a sprawling mansion that houses more than 90 people and is one of Hong Kong’s most distinctive homes.


History of Hong Kong districts

Inside the Hong Kong mansion of the Harilelas, one of city’s wealthiest families

Featuring an eclectic mix of design styles and lavish interiors, the Harilela family’s Kowloon Tong complex is one of Hong Kong’s most distinctive homes The sprawling mansion houses more than 90 people and includes the Mogul Room, which would not look out of place on a Bollywood set

Featuring an eclectic mix of design styles and lavish interiors, the Harilela family’s Kowloon Tong complex is one of Hong Kong’s most distinctive homes

The sprawling mansion houses more than 90 people and includes the Mogul Room, which would not look out of place on a Bollywood set