24 Expressions of Interest Received for Development of URA’s Kwun Tong Town Centre Development Areas 4 & 5 Project

The Urban Renewal Authority (URA) received a total of 24 Expressions of Interest for the development of the Kwun Tong Town Centre Development Areas 4 & 5 Project (the Project) when the invitation for submission closed today (7 September 2022).

A tender review panel under the URA Board will shortlist the qualified developers / consortia from the submissions, taking into consideration their development experience and financial capability to undertake the development of the Project in accordance with the shortlisting criteria set by the tender review panel.  Based on the principal tender terms approved by the URA Board, shortlisted developers / consortia will be invited to submit tenders for the development of the Project.

The Kwun Tong Town Centre Project is the URA’s largest single redevelopment project ever, with a phased redevelopment of five areas.  The Project, being the last phase of the redevelopment, covers a site area of 25,595 square metres. Upon completion, it will provide a maximum total gross floor area (GFA) of 201,220 square metres.

The Project will provide an iconic building complex with Government facilities and commercial development, not only enhancing the livelihood and economic vitality in the heart of Kwun Tong, but also serving as a new civic hub and gateway for the town centre to become a signature development in Kowloon East.  The Project will also provide government, institution and community facilities, as well as large-scale open space for public enjoyment.

As a planning objective to improve the overall environment under the master layout plan of the Kwun Tong Town Centre Project, the Project will improve the road network and transport facilities in the area through re-planning and restructuring of land uses, and enhance pedestrian connectivity between the Project and the recently completed Development Areas 2 & 3, as well as the surrounding areas.

After considering the uncertainties brought by the ongoing pandemic and the latest market circumstances, the URA initiated a pilot arrangement of “floating planning parameters” in the tender of the Project.  Under the “floating planning parameters” arrangement, while keeping the total GFA unchanged, flexibility will be given to the successful developer / consortium to determine the actual GFA within specified ranges for office, hotel and other commercial uses ^[1] for the commercial portion, of which a minimum of 65,000 square metres of commercial GFA should be kept and situated at lower levels of the development to maintain its character of a “town centre” at the prime location of Kwun Tong district.

A planning application for implementing the “floating planning parameters” arrangement was submitted to the Town Planning Board (TPB) in July 2022 for consideration.  When the approval to implement the “floating planning parameters” arrangement is granted by TPB, the URA will invite developers / consortia to tender for the development of the Project based on the arrangement.

The successful developer / consortium will be required to construct the new development in compliance with the building design, standard and quality requirements, the environmentally sustainable provisions and smart provisions as set out in the development agreement of the Project with the aim of creating a sustainable living environment.