I just read the news below I am extremely worried. These environmental groups are monopolizing the media representation and our voice as skyscraper and urban enthusiasts are being silenced and blocked from the debate.

Is there anyway we can collect some signatures online or otherwise, and submit it when they open up the discussion? According to the news piece below, the environmental groups are definitely opposing it. We need to do our share of work to make sure Hong Kong gets another supertall and remain competitive in the world, but as an economy and as a skyscraper mecca! Let's do something!


廣 深 港 上 蓋 建 地 標 摩 廈

　　(星島日報報道)位於西九龍的廣深港上蓋商業地王發展方案，昨日獲城規會通過，委員認為，地皮位處未來中港交通交匯中心點，具發展潛力，故此未來物業設計具地標性及特色，可申請不設上限地放寬物業高度，圖為未來的中港貿易中心保留設計彈性。不過，有環團認為，是次未有為項目「寫死」高限，做法不合理，將於未來一個月內就有關用地提交城規申請。

　　城規會於昨日通過由規劃署提交的廣深港上蓋發展項目方案，城規會發言人指，地皮地積比限制以五倍發展，可作輕微修訂，惟高限則可視乎設計的地標性及特色，而不設上限地放寬物業高度，若完全善用地積比，發展商理論上可把物業由四幢縮減成一幢，令物業成為地標式摩天大樓。

　
　城規會發言人解釋，由於地皮位於「戰略位置」，故有關高度未有「寫死」放寬上限，只是給予發展商發展彈性，發展商除了可按照規劃草圖內顯示的四幢發展方案外，亦可就個人設計，並根據地積比限制而修訂物業幢數，城規會方面亦將根據多個方面考慮該區大綱圖的修訂，由於鐵路項目地段特別，城規會不想扼殺地盤的發展可能性，而城規會將會在項目設計，以及公眾利益之間取得平衡。

　　昨日獲通過的方案，稍後將在憲報刊登，同時收集公眾意見，為期兩個月，隨後再提交城規會審議。

　　項目除高度及地積比可作放寬外，當中地盤亦要求未來發展中，貼近連翔道的用地，即由南至北加入一度通風廊，寬四十米，此外由地盤的東至西面亦要設一度通風廊，此外，地盤面積保留九萬五千多方呎以作公眾休憩用地，至於商場設計中，部分零售鋪位可以露天形式設計，打破一般商場的密封式設計。

　　環保觸覺主席譚凱邦表示，現時九龍站已有多座高廈，當中亦包括有逾百層的商業項目，加上未來尖東亦有商廈項目獲批重建摩廈，故此該地皮在高限上，未有「寫死」發展上限，認為此舉是留有「退路」，做法不合理。

　　至於該地皮限地積比五倍做法可以接受，不過限制在四倍以下相信效果更佳，而該會將於未來一個月內就有關用地提交城規申請。

　　有業界表示，政府是次考慮在地皮發展上為物業設計提供彈性屬好事，同時亦是在平衡社會訴求及發展之間作出嘗試。而地盤由於位處未來中港交通交匯中心點，發展潛力無限，且具有中港概念，若未來發展商能在地盤發展，一定會成為具有地標性或別具特色的建築物。

well as a world class city, hk needs a quality built environment, not quantity of supertalls..
i know many of us are skyscrapers enthusiasts, but to view it moderately, we should be considerate to others, our people, who suffer from poor (indoor) air quality and have no say.

well as a world class city, hk needs a quality built environment, not quantity of supertalls..
i know many of us are skyscrapers enthusiasts, but to view it moderately, we should be considerate to others, our people, who suffer from poor (indoor) air quality and have no say.

Then they should fuck off the massive 50 floor 20 building estates that get built, not the one super tall.

IMO, what we need is not how tall it is, but how creative, stylish it looks. just take a look at our city, every building look like the same, boring, rectangular box with grey or white concrete skin, we are lucky that our habour is world famous, without the green mountains in the background, the only structure that is truly spectacular IMO is bank of china, thats it.

i think of utmost importance the development should help linking up union square with tst... and we really don't want another huge podium block with no street activities at all!

i think im pro-skyscraper actually - at least it'll have a bit more thoughts in it rather than another cluster of mediocre buildings...!

IMO, what we need is not how tall it is, but how creative, stylish it looks. just take a look at our city, every building look like the same, boring, rectangular box with grey or white concrete skin, we are lucky that our habour is world famous, without the green mountains in the background, the only structure that is truly spectacular IMO is bank of china, thats it.

2-IFC, HSBC, Lippo, HKCEC.

There are plenty of gems...

The others which aren't gems individually form a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts (especially at night)

2-IFC, HSBC, Lippo, HKCEC.

There are plenty of gems...

The others which aren't gems individually form a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts (especially at night)

2ifc looks great not because of its architecture, but the fact that it is the tallest one in the region, if u put 2ifc in new york city u can tell it is just "another one of those"

i think of utmost importance the development should help linking up union square with tst... and we really don't want another huge podium block with no street activities at all!

i think im pro-skyscraper actually - at least it'll have a bit more thoughts in it rather than another cluster of mediocre buildings...!

I'm with you on this one!

2ifc looks great not because of its architecture, but the fact that it is the tallest one in the region, if u put 2ifc in new york city u can tell it is just "another one of those"

Just because the GS building in NJ (again by Pelli) looks almost exactly like IFC :lol:

2ifc looks great not because of its architecture, but the fact that it is the tallest one in the region, if u put 2ifc in new york city u can tell it is just "another one of those"

2-IFC would also be the tallest building in New York City, so you're wrong.

i think of utmost importance the development should help linking up union square with tst... and we really don't want another huge podium block with no street activities at all!

i think im pro-skyscraper actually - at least it'll have a bit more thoughts in it rather than another cluster of mediocre buildings...!

agree. we have enough podium around the city with no street life.
i don't want west kowloon / southwest kowloon becomes another TKO.

if the developer will to build two buildings to maximize the plot ratio and leave half the lot open space, i am kind of ok with it. i don't think one super tall building to maximize the plot ratio will fly here, but four seem to be too much.

I'm with you on this one!
Just because the GS building in NJ (again by Pelli) looks almost exactly like IFC :lol:

:lol::lol:
That may as well just a replicate of 1IFC, not a smaller scale of 2IFC.
http://i491.photobucket.com/albums/rr280/ericishim/Random%20New%20York/20070525_013.jpg
http://i491.photobucket.com/albums/rr280/ericishim/2009%20Random%20Hong%20Kong/CIMG0540.jpg

:lol::lol:
That may as well just a replicate of 1IFC, not a smaller scale of 2IFC.
http://i491.photobucket.com/albums/rr280/ericishim/Random%20New%20York/20070525_013.jpg
http://i491.photobucket.com/albums/rr280/ericishim/2009%20Random%20Hong%20Kong/CIMG0540.jpg

honestly, this is outrageous.

Yah let's get back on topic here. Are we really not interested in seeing another supertall gets built?

If the plot ratio is there, we should help push for another supertall. All the concerns mentioned CAN be solved by a supertall being built. In the very least a supertall would mean the most open space possible.

Where's hkskyline btw?

i think the perfect place to build another skyscraper is Kai Tak, at the tip of the runway, where the future ferry terminal is located, they can build the skyscraper(s) on top of the ferry terminal.

i think the perfect place to build another skyscraper is Kai Tak, at the tip of the runway, where the future ferry terminal is located, they can build the skyscraper(s) on top of the ferry terminal.

No way.

Far too isolated.

i think the perfect place to build another skyscraper is Kai Tak, at the tip of the runway, where the future ferry terminal is located, they can build the skyscraper(s) on top of the ferry terminal.

East Kowloon has already had a height limitation, and I wouldn't want to have another stick sticking out of nowhere in the waterfront.

Skybean posted this in the ICC construction thread.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3645/3568831176_018d02c501_b.jpg

Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pieprincess/sets/72157618758241385/

I guess it wouldn't look too bad if we have two tall buildings above the HSR terminal, if they are about the same height as the Arch or so. But just those rich people probably won't be happy if their million dollars harbour view got blocked.

Just please don't put another massive podium on the ground.

Building a massive tower right on the waterfront at the New World Centre would be disastrous though.

It's not the waterfront, the waterfront's the WKCD. Also, the land is pretty deep from the coast, so the building itself can be set back towards the north side of the site and have a giant plaza out front, which would be normal for a terminal.

like the skyscrapers in hongkong, can't wait to visit again.

No supertall above West Kowloon Terminus please. It is too close to those horrible towers above Kowloon Station and is never looked outstanding (unless twice of height of ICC?). That area already has too many supertalls.

No supertall above West Kowloon Terminus please. It is too close to those horrible towers above Kowloon Station and is never looked outstanding (unless twice of height of ICC?). That area already has too many supertalls.

It has ONE supertall.

It's not the waterfront, the waterfront's the WKCD.

Eh?

Also, from that picture Skybean posted that I re-posted and Eric quoted, this new tower at the New World Centre seems to be blocking Hanoi's only good side.

Eh?



Well this is not RIGHT at the waterfront. This is the plot directly EAST of the Kowloon Station. And what I was saying is that the piece of land itself is HUGE so they can place the building closer to the north side and create a plaza towards the south side.

In anycase I really hope they release the rendering and NOT surprise us with another eyesore with 4 identical stubby crap.

Are we talking about the same thing?

I was referring to the New World Centre...which is right at the waterfront.

I'm all for the idea of the OP. Assuming a holistic approach, I'd consider the skyscraper way of life much more environmental friendly than otherwise. Just imagine what would have occurred to the countryside of HK should the urban areas / suburbs had sprawled the American way.

BTW, there is nothing wrong with "no street level walking". You don't have to walk on the streets when the malls and corridors are all inter-connected. This way of planning encourages walking by providing a more comfortable and safer environment.

I will agree to a supertall if it is an outstanding design, a little like Taipei 101, but not ICC or IFC. IFC 1 and IFC 2 are exactly the same except their heights.

Even Beijing is not moving towards supertalls, look at the new CCTV headquarters.

I think four medium tall buildings with a huge roof top garden, similar to a mahjong table will be quite fantastic. While the roof top garden can be used for events like concerts, tennis matches and open-air movies, that will be awesome and must be built!

Tapei 101 is disgusting.

It may be 'innovative' and 'original', but as it's actually a shit looking skyscraper.

I think some of the buildings in Kowloon should be preserved to enable the small man do his business without alot of expenses that come with grand projects. I Love Hong Kong(Best Skyline).

I'm behind the environmental groups on this one. With the exception of the ICC, West Kowloon is an urban planning and architectural disaster. All it is is a group of disparate super towers standing atop a massive podium - it doesn't take a lot of imagination or creativity to design something like that. IMHO West Kowloon is basically an upmarket resurrection of the Walled City.

I will agree to a supertall if it is an outstanding design, a little like Taipei 101, but not ICC or IFC. IFC 1 and IFC 2 are exactly the same except their heights.

Even Beijing is not moving towards supertalls, look at the new CCTV headquarters.

I think four medium tall buildings with a huge roof top garden, similar to a mahjong table will be quite fantastic. While the roof top garden can be used for events like concerts, tennis matches and open-air movies, that will be awesome and must be built!

Hong Kong differs from Beijing in that supertalls are needed. Hong Kong is basically built out so the only options are to either build tons and tons of medium height buildings or fewer, taller buildings. T101 is a real polarizer, you might think its an outstanding design, many think it's ugly. IFC and ICC were made to be similar on purpose, do your research for that.

I've yet to see a Mahjong table made of grass, and by that suggestion, I'm thinking you'd want mahjong tables or something? It's an interesting idea, but far from easily conceived or executable, I'll make my decision when that comes out. There's no way for a rooftop garden to be big enough to house a tennis court, and I'd much rather there be a taller, single or 2x building than 4 of the same ones...

The roof top idea is being used by Singapore's latest big development actually. They've made it one long stretchy roof top - pretty cool.

Is it one huge building, or how did they do it?

Nope - they're separate buildings that have been connected by a 'bridge'/platform type thing at the top.

Here's what I'm talking about:

http://static.flickr.com/71/211644445_6468276240_o.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=354746

Silence the NIMBYs now before it's too late. They have ruined any hope we have in sydney of ever getting anything worthwhile built. They seem to hold the city and suburbs to ransom with their misguided reasoning and quasi green agenda. Most of it is complete bullshit and they only do it to because they have nothing better to do. Many of them are just old hippy whingers that should be shot. It's a movement you should try and silence as soon as possible as once it gets momentum it will never be stopped.

Our media constantly grabs their plight too and often there will be some NIMBY sob story on TV or in the papers, again all misguided bullshit mostly, its very rare to hear the other side of the equation but keep up the pressure from your side, esp to the media. these vocal minorities always seems to get the coverage they need, you need to stop them.

Tapei 101 is disgusting.

It may be 'innovative' and 'original', but as it's actually a shit looking skyscraper.

Agree. And worst to be in Taipei. It's so much taller than everything else around it to hide it's ugliness.