As far as 'Big Trouble', San Francisco's Chinatown was destroyed by the 1906 earthquake and rebuilt in mostly brick, with the odd faux pagoda roof added as a tourist attraction. Chicago style pulp buildings wouldn't look at all out of place.
John Woo favored the grittier areas of HK such as the Mongkok district. A bit more work. Also industrial areas like the port, or interior spaces like restaurants which might make a good small board.