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Extracts of the design concepts of the five winning entries: Development Professionals Limited
MCAA Limited
Philip Liao & Partner Limited
Urban Design & Planning Consultants Limited
WMKY Limited
Photograph shows the five winners of the Lee Tung Street Development Concept Competition and members of the adjudication panel. From left to right : Mr Peter C C Mak of WMKY Limited, Mr Michael Chiang of MCAA Limited, Mr Billy Lam, Mr Bosco Fung, Mrs Peggy Lam, Mr Edward Shen, Dr Sujata S Govada of Urban Design & Planning Consultants Ltd, Prof David Lung, Mr Andrew Law of Development Professionals Ltd. and Mr Philip Liao of Philip Liao & Partners Ltd.
25 May 2004

Five receive awards in Lee Tung Street Development Concept Competition

The Urban Renewal Authority (URA) today (Tuesday) presented awards to five winning architect and planner firms in a development concept competition for its Lee Tung Street redevelopment project in Wan Chai.

The awards went to Development Professionals Limited, MCAA Limited, Philip Liao & Partner Limited, Urban Design & Planning Consultants Limited and WMKY Limited. Each won a cash prize of $100,000. They have been selected from a total of 20 entries.

This is the first time that the URA organised a development concept competition for a major urban redevelopment project. The competition covered the Lee Tung Street project site and the surrounding area measuring about two hectares in total. Among other requirements, the competitors were asked to provide ideas on recreating the local shopping street character, pedestrianising Lee Tung Street and conserving three pre-war Cantonese-style buildings.

Professor David Lung, Head of the Department of Architecture, University of Hong Kong, who chaired the adjudication panel, said: "Wan Chai is an old town of diverse charm, character and tradition. The Lee Tung Street project occupies a central location in Wan Chai and provides a strategic link with the URA's other urban renewal projects and those of the private sector in the district."

"We are impressed by the high quality of the entries which contain many innovative and creative ideas in retaining the local characteristics as well as strengthening the vitality of this interesting part of Hong Kong heritage.

"It was not an easy task for the participants who were required to apply all elements of the '4Rs', i.e. Redevelopment, Rehabilitation, Revitalisation and pReservation, in fine and tasteful balance without compromising practicality and financial viability of the project," Professor Lung remarked.

URA Managing Director Mr Billy Lam who was also one of the five adjudication panel members said: "The competition represents an important part of a continuous process of community participation, which started with a community workshop organised by the URA's Wan Chai District Advisory Committee over a year ago. In addition, we held another gathering earlier for all participants to listen to the views and aspirations of some local personalities and residents before they went to their drawing board."

"We regard the community consultation process to be of great importance and will continue with it in earnest before we put together the final layout and design for the Lee Tung Street project in our continuous effort in revitalising the old district of Wan Chai," said Mr Lam.

Other members of the adjudication panel included the former Chairperson of the Wan Chai District Council and Chairperson of the URA Wan Chai District Advisory Committee, Mrs Peggy Lam, President of the Hong Kong Institute of Architects, Mr Edward Shen, and Director of Planning, Mr Bosco Fung.

The URA said it would use the winning entries for inspiration and reference when it proceeded with the design within the next two years.

The Lee Tung Street project, at an estimated gross development value of $3.58 billion, measures about 95,800 square feet in site area and is the largest project commenced by the URA so far. When completed in end-2009, it is expected to provide a residential and commercial complex with shopping, entertainment and leisure facilities. There will also be about 3,660 square feet of public open space and 34,122 square feet for the provision of community facilities, including a residential care home for the elderly and a day care centre.

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