Housing Society and Urban Renewal Authority Jointly Launch Revitalization/Preservation Project in Wan Chai
The Hong Kong Housing Society (HKHS) today (31 March) announced
the launch of a revitalization cum preservation project in
conjunction with the Urban Renewal Authority (URA) in Wan Chai
Stone Nullah Lane, Hing Wan Street and King Sing Street at the cost
of about $100 million. Besides retaining some of the
buildings with historic value and special architectural design,
HKHS also intends to develop the area along the theme of tea and
medicine in line with its historical background of tea trade and
medical services.
The project area covers 9 tenement blocks, of which 72-74A Stone
Nullah Lane (Blue House) and 2-8 Hing Wan Street were built in the
1920's, whilst 8 King Sing Street in the 1950's. HKHS and URA
will carry out stabilization and rehabilitation works for the Blue
House and the buildings of 2-8 Hing Wan Street after completing the
statutory planning procedures and property acquisition. 8
King Sing Street will be demolished for creating an open space
featuring a special cultural atmosphere.
"Blue House has high historic value as it was the original site of
the first hospital 'Wah To Hospital' built in the 1870's in Wan
Chai. In terms of architectural design, the balcony-type
tenement block Blue House and 2-8 Hing Wan Street for its European
Art Deco style have their own characteristics. They are both
the few remaining buildings of the same kind in Wan Chai.
Through the collaboration with URA in this revitalization cum
preservation project, HKHS intends to retain the special
architectural elements of the Blue House and 2-8 Hing Wan Street,
and adopt its indigenous features of tea and medicine as the theme
of the area. It is hoped that the place could become a
tourist destination with an open space for the public and the
tourists," HKHS General Manager (Planning & Development) Mr
Daniel Lau said at the press conference.
HKHS and URA will invite representatives of the URA Wan Chai
District Advisory Committee and the Wan Chai District Council to
assist in taking the project forward. Consultation will be
conducted with the local residents, professionals, academics and
other interested parties, and recommendations will be made on the
uses basing on the designated theme.
The project has been gazetted for commencement of planning in
accordance with section 23 of the Urban Renewal Authority Ordinance
today. HKHS and URA will submit application to the Town
Planning Board (TPB) shortly.
The development scheme plan which delineates the boundary of the
project, together with a general description, will be put on
display for public inspection at the head offices of HKHS and URA,
URA Neighbourhood Centre in Wan Chai and the Wan Chai District
Office within the next two months.
With the consent of the TPB and approval of the Chief
Executive-in-Council, acquisition of the two private property
interests, and rehousing or compensation for about 30 households
living in Government and private buildings within the project site
will follow. The estimated cost of acquisition and rehousing
is about $20 million.
Starting today, HKHS will carry out a three-day occupancy survey
among the affected households to determine the number of residents
and their occupancy status.
To ensure that the affected owners and tenants are fully informed
of the planning acquisition procedures and compensation policies,
HKHS will conduct a briefing session on 3 April 2006 to explain the
salient issues.
In addition, HKHS has provided a telephone hotline 2839 7138 to
answer enquiries from the affected residents. For enquiries
relating to the planning procedures of the project, parties
concerned can call the URA's hotline at 2588 2333. Meanwhile,
HKHS has appointed The Salvation Army Urban Renewal Social Service
Team to provide counseling service and assistance to the affected
owners and tenants.
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