The new face of Central

[Kaitak747]

The new face of Central


Mary Ann Benitez, Alfred Liu andScarlett Chiang

Thursday, October 15, 2009


There is going to be a renewed beat in the heart of Hong Kong with plans to change the Central cityscape and waterfront.
A new face for the world-famous financial district will come with features that Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen and his team intend to provide including oasis elements amid the steel and concrete.

Conserving key parts of Central is a major plank in Tsangs plans, which were outlined yesterday in his policy address. In a process that he termed progressive development, Tsang sees the improved quality of life helping to generate a new commercial vibrancy. Only by providing a diverse and dynamic cultural life and a quality living environment can we attract talent from around the world to build a career in Hong Kong, he said.

The masterplan for Central includes:

Reducing substantially development density around the Central ferry piers and creating public space along the waterfront.

Conserving and revitalizing Central Market as an urban oasis.

Converting the governments Murray Building into a hotel.

Preserving the Main and East Wings of the Central Government Offices for the Department of Justice but demolishing and redeveloping the West Wing for commercial use.

Other projects include implementing the revised plan for the Central Police Station; discussions on the future use of the Court of Final Appeal building; and inviting proposals for renovation of the two former police quarters blocks on the site of the old Central School.

Green touches will have an important place under this vision. For example, a government insider said, a small park would be shaped between the new Department of Justice headquarters and the commercial building.

On a more hard-nosed business tack, the official said the Murray Building will be converted into a hotel because that will help meet a huge demand while being at a prime location, adding: "lt would be a waste if we demolished the whole Murray Building."

So there will be an open tender for the building after it is vacated next year.

But concern groups have yet to be sold on the big idea making environmental sense, while professionals were last night figuring how many billions of dollars are going to be "lost" because of Tsang's quality of life stance.

The environmental program manager of Civic Exchange, Mike Kilburn, said Tsang is "trying hard" to address public concerns. "It is interesting that he has acknowledged that Central is not just about buildings and maximizing the land value of the business district."

But Civic Exchange will be interested to see how the government will follow through "in the next few years when it comes to making decisions about things like the Central Market, dai pai dongs and street markets, which are very much a part of the social fabric," he added.

He also asked why Tsang referred to Central's revitalization as "progressive" development rather than "sustainable" development.

"Progressive development is a new term and can mean whatever you want it to mean," he remarked.

But a timetable for the Central scheme has not been announced. For starters, the Urban Renewal Authority will have to draw up implementation plans for revitalizing Central Market.

But the agency is clearly on board with the chief executive. "The initiatives will reinforce our continuing efforts to meet the changing aspirations of the community," said authority chairman Barry Cheung Chun-yuen.

The URA said a high proportion of the revitalized market will be designated as green, rest and leisure areas - "oasis" elements.

Looking from another angle, Alnwick Chan Chi-hing, an executive director at Knight Frank property consultants, said the potential loss in land sales income will be HK$10 billion on Central Market and along the waterfront.

The 44,703-square-foot market - with a gross floor area of 670,543 square feet - is worth about HK$8 billion, according to Midland Surveyors director Alvin Lam Tsz-pun.

But opportunity knocks. A spokesman for Sino Land (0083) said the company is interested in the plan to convert Murray Building into a hotel and intends to study the potential of the proposal.

[Kaitak747]

中環大變身　海濱降密度
政府總部西座拆卸　美利大廈改建酒店

2009年10月15日



【本報訊】中環變天。施政報告以中環為藍本，提出多項降低城市密度新措施，包括將「地王」中環街市剔出勾地表，大減中環海濱用地的發展密度逾六成，並將政府多個決策部門所在的美利大廈改建酒店，估計庫房整體少收逾百億元；而政府總部西座則會拆卸作商業發展。有團體質疑施政報告只着眼個別歷史建築，沒有保育中上環歷史城區的全盤方案。

記者：黃偉駿　白琳　林社炳

施政報告建議，將有 70年歷史的中環街市剔出勾地表，交由市區重建局保育活化，打造成專門供上班一族休憩的「城市綠洲」。市建局發言人表示，中環街市將會是「純保育」項目，不會像灣仔街市或和昌大押般，在街市之上或旁邊興建住宅。


中環街市變打工仔蛇竇

發言人指局方的專家早前實地考察後認為，街市內部的設計獨特，擁有一個巨型天井，日後若配合大量綠化工作，將會是一個理想的休憩地方，「蛇竇已經搬咗，喺中環返工想搵個地方 Hea下都冇，希望街市將來可以成為打工仔忙裏偷閒嘅蛇竇。」經初步觀察，街市整體結構良好，但預計仍要花逾億元進行復修及改裝，落成後市建局肯定要「蝕錢」。測量師彭兆基估計，中環街市地王若賣地，可為庫房帶來 53億元收益。


共建維港委員會早前建議，將中區海濱用地的發展密度，「轉移」至灣仔一帶，施政報告落實有關建議，提出將現時位於國金前的一號與二號用地，發展密度大減六成，由原有近 100萬平方呎的總樓面面積，減至約 40萬平方呎水平；兩幅用地的建築物高度，也分別由最高的 132與 73米，降至 60與 25米。萊坊測量師行執行董事陳致馨估計，政府將中環海濱黃金地段的發展密度，轉而至地價稍遜的灣仔，庫房收益少了 60多億元。


西座地價估計達 70億元
俗稱「政府山」的政府總部，無論在港英年代，還是回歸後的特區政府，都一直是歷屆政府總部所在。

施政報告建議，待 2011年現時在政府總部辦公的部門遷往添馬艦新政府總部後，現時歷史與建築價值較高的中座與東座，將會撥作律政司辦公室，至於歷史價值較低的西座，則會騰空作商業發展。

政府消息人士表示，西座現有樓面面積約 22萬平方呎，日後即使拆卸作商業用途，發展密度也不會高於附近商廈，只作低密度發展。測量師彭兆基估計，西座的位置接近中環心臟地帶，估計地價高達 70億元。

據了解，特首曾蔭權對中環與灣仔舊區情有獨鍾，兩年多前曾私下巡察兩區的大街小巷，要將兩區仿效歐洲發展成為歷史舊城區。其中灣仔舊區過去兩年已完成活化，發展區與市建局將區內多個歷史景點保育與串連。

建築師學會歡迎政府保育中環的方案，並建議政府可以半山自動扶手行人電梯為主幹，配合中環街市為市肺，帶動區內各個保育項目。中西區關注組則對保育方案表示失望，指中上環歷史城區受過度發展與交通擠塞威脅，再將中環街市交予金錢掛帥的市建局營辦，質疑曾蔭權沒有保育整個中上環歷史城區的全盤方案。

[Kaitak747]

保育綠化 中環大變身



■美利大廈改裝為300房間酒店



■清拆政府合署西座，作公園及商廈發展


■中環街市地皮活化為「城市綠洲」


■國金二期外兩幅地皮不建商廈，樓面面積減62%




特首曾蔭權昨日發表上任以來第5份《施政報告》，這份淺啡色、題為「群策創新天」的施政報告較多墨於推動產業發展，包括以「現金回贈」方式鼓勵研發及活化舊工廈；扭轉中環以商業發展為主的概念，提出保留歷史和提供優質空間的構想﹕削減國金對出商用地密度，將美利大廈轉為酒店，以及中環街市轉為休閒「綠洲」。測量師預料，未來數年中環的租金會繼續上升（見另稿）。


另外，曾蔭權今年不再直接「派糖」，因非常時期已過，要「回歸基本」重談政策；此外亦無談及政制方案，引起低下層和政界的不滿。


「保育中環代價相當大」


曾蔭權於施政報告提出將中環4幅土地或建築物要改變用途，要中環變身。他昨形容，要「保育中環」代價相當大，但認為活化灣仔區舊區的計劃成效令他鼓舞，遂決定活化中環歷史建築及減低發展密度。


從金鐘踏入中環，位於花園道、1969年建成的21層高美利大廈，一直是政府部門使用，曾蔭權提出把它轉為四至五星級酒店，有逾300房間。


政府消息人士補充，美利大廈鄰近香港公園和纜車站，而市區酒店需求大，相信改裝成酒店較寫字樓更具吸引力。政府會就酒店營運權公開招標，中標者毋須補地價，但要保留大廈窗戶設計；政府辦公室2011年底遷至添馬艦現址後，美利大廈會展開工程，酒店預計2013至2014年落成。


酒店業﹕美利大廈具吸引力


酒店業主聯會總幹事李漢城認為這構思創新，美利大廈景觀開揚且具海景，鄰近纜車站及中環保育區，對旅客有吸引力。


向西走，便見到逾百年來的政府心臟地帶﹕1950年代建成的政府總部建築群。政府合署2年後遷至添馬艦後，將按政府委託的英國保育專家建議，保留較有歷史價值的中座及東座，活化為律政司辦公室。至於經多次改建的西座則擬拆卸改作公園，近雪廠街位置擬納入勾地表，日後興建商廈，當局會限制其發展密度。


IFC臨海地削密度 禁建寫字樓


再往西，便是香港地標國際金融中心（IFC），其對出兩幅地皮現仍未有發展，但根據《中環新海濱城市設計研究》，政府原建議興建兩座分別16至18層及30層的寫字樓或酒店。但曾蔭權提出，把兩地皮的發展密度減62%，兩幢大廈高度分別由73米減至25米，及由132米減至60米，即最高不逾15層，地皮亦不可作寫字樓發展，須改為如文化樞紐、零售等多用途。


兩幢商廈被削去約61.4萬方呎的樓面，將轉移至金鐘中信大廈以北的一幅用地，該地將由「政府、機構或社區」改為「商業」用途。


至於第四座要改變用途的建築物，則是同屬黃金地皮的中環街市，這土地會剔出勾地表，交由市建局活化為「城市綠洲」，設有逾萬方呎的天台花園，初步建議作文化、餐飲等用途，如設書店、數碼資訊站、健身中心、食肆等。政府消息人士形容，希望把街市打造成紐約中央公園般，成為市區的休憩去處。


至於已列入法定古蹟的法國傳道會大樓，將隨終審法院遷至立法會大樓而空置，政府擬就保育大樓諮詢公眾。


除政府物業，聖公會亦正構思下亞厘畢道建築群的活化計劃，擬保留會督府、聖保羅堂、前教堂禮賓樓及舊基恩小學4幢歷史建築，並拆卸其他建築，以興建有蓋廣場、11至13層高的綜合社區大樓和神職人員宿舍。


另外，曾蔭權重提中區警署建築群將由馬會活化作藝術表演場地，前身為中央書院的前荷李活道警察宿舍則會保留兩幢宿舍，活化作創意產業用途，當局將於未來數月邀有興趣團體或企業交營辦建議書。


消息人士解釋，中環多幅土地或建築物更改用途，原因是「現時要在中環找一片空地已很困難，究竟要建多一幢樓賺多了錢，還是建少點，生活和空氣好些？」


城規會成員﹕政府懸崖勒馬


身兼城規會及古物諮詢委員會成員的吳祖南形容施政報告減低中環密度的措施「懸崖勒馬」，但他坦言有關措施只能減慢該區通風、空氣污染等惡化，「要配合私人市場重建、限制發水樓等，否則這些措施的作用將化於無形」。

[Kaitak747]

中環萬年大廈獲批重建

【明報專訊】特首施政報告的其中一個重點是活化中環，包括將中環街市剔出勾地表，及大削國金二期前方土地發展規模，令中環的商廈潛在供應大減，令發展商重建中環核心位置商廈的意欲大增。新世界（0017）剛獲屋宇署批准重建中環萬年大廈（娛樂行旁）及毗鄰陸佑行，為1幢28層高商廈，合共提供19.4萬方呎樓面。

萬年大廈位於皇后大道中38號，現由新世界持有，現時地舖包括有周大福珠寶店。至於毗鄰陸佑行，則由馬來西亞的第一代富商陸佑創建，據了解目前仍由該家族持有。

另外，信置（0083）年前投得紅磡必嘉圍8至12號項目（東海雅園旁），地盤面積約2980方呎，總樓面約2.68萬方呎，現獲批建1幢26層高住宅連商舖。市建局於08年第2季為必嘉圍項目招標，共獲7個財團遞交意向書，但最後只得信置入標。

紅磡必嘉圍批建26層住宅
屋宇署昨公布，於上月共批出30份建築圖則，其中港島14份、九龍4份及新界12份。上述批出的圖則包括9項住宅及商住發展、9項商業發展、4項工廠及工業發展，以及8項社區服務發展。華懋亦獲批出新圖則，重建灣仔軒尼詩道1號熙信樓（警察總部對面），為1幢24層高商廈，樓面達31.5萬平方呎。



華懋重建中環核心商廈







政府積極保育中環，預期中區商廈新供應將難以紓緩，區內老牌發展商，紛紛計畫為旗下商廈來個「大變身」。繼新世界發展等獲批重建旗下萬年大廈等舊樓，區內另一商廈「大業主」華懋，亦計畫重建旗下多幢物業，包括永安人壽大廈、永安中區大廈及華人銀行大廈等，總樓面超過三十萬方呎。

華懋售樓部經理吳崇武表示，正計畫重建旗下中環多幢商業大廈，包括永安人壽大廈、永安中區大廈、華人銀行大廈（集團佔六成業權）等，涉及總樓面超過三十萬方呎。另灣仔熙信大廈亦列入重建版圖之內。

當中中環永安人壽大廈將於在明年五月底完成收樓程序，連同重建時間，最快可於二○一三年落成，連同早前購入價，投資總額料達十二億至十三億元。問及是否因政府公布活化中環，所以才有重建構思，吳崇武表示，重建中環商廈為王太（龔如心）生前的想法，與政府近日的政策無關。

[Kaitak747]

中環蘇豪區建潮流地標


(星島日報 報道)恒基「四叔」夥拍專門於舊樓「落釘」的老牌發展商桂洪地產，於中環 蘇豪區、潮人明星集中地的安蘭街，合作發展銀座式商場。兩家財團將十多年前低調收購的舊樓合併重建，落成後將成為這條街最潮及矚目的新地標。




　　消息人士透露，大型發展商恒基，與「釘王」老牌發展商桂洪地產，各自持有中環「潮人之地」安蘭街部分舊樓，近日終於有突破性發展，雙方落實合併地盤重建，該四幢舊樓佔地合共四千方呎，屬於商業用地，以最高地積比十二倍計算，可建樓面四萬八千方呎，將成為這條「時裝街」最矚目的銀座式商廈。

　　打造「時裝街」銀座式商廈

　　早於十年前，恒基已看中安蘭街的重建價值，並於九六年五至七月間，一口氣收購十二至十六號三幢相連舊樓，每幢佔地約一千方呎，作價四千二百六十七萬元，合共涉資逾一億二千八百萬元，物業一直持有收租，回報只有二至三厘水平，於當年利息高企的年代，算是蝕本生意。

　　及後金融風暴襲至，於九八年八月，同樣佔地一千呎的安蘭街十八號舊樓亦放盤，叫價不過一千六百多萬元，惟這個「筍盤」卻沒有成為恒基囊中物，卻被專門於舊樓「落釘」的老牌發展桂洪地產捷足先登買下來，作價一千六百五十萬元。多年來，兩家財團皆持有物業收租，沒有重建意欲，皆因地盤太細，及至近日雙方達成協議合併發展。

　　美聯工商鋪行政總裁黃子華表示，恒基持有的佔地三千方呎舊樓，雖然可以獨立重建，惟合併桂洪持有的一千呎地盤，效率將大為提高。「一個三千呎地盤，每層樓面只有約九百九十方呎，扣除電梯一部、兩組樓梯及走廊等，每層實用只有五百方呎，對於許多零售業來說，面積太小，局限性大，若地盤加大一千方呎，每層可以增加三百三十方呎至八百多呎。」

　　他更表示，一個三萬方呎地盤，增加至四萬方呎，作用並不大，惟一個面積三千方呎地盤，增加了一千方呎，效用卻「神奇」地提高了。

　　重建後市值高逾七億

　　有業界表示，上述舊樓計及收購成本及每呎建築費二千元，涉及投資額約二至三億元，重建後的銀座式商場總樓面四萬八千方呎，物業市值高逾七億元。

　　土地註冊處 顯示，傑怡發展有限公司於九六年四至七月間向不同業主，購入安蘭街十二、十四及十六號三幢舊樓，每幢作價分別由三千六百萬（十六號）至四千六百萬元（十二及十四號）不等，涉資合共一億二千八百萬元。公司註冊 處顯示，該公司股東包括Ming Hing Properties Limited及Wealth （Nominees）Limited，後者登記地址為中環國際金融中心二期七十二至七十六樓，為恒基總部所在。

　　另外，安蘭街十八號則由盈兆投資有限公司，於九八年八月購入，作價一千六百五十萬元，該公司股東包括桂洪地產有限公司，董事包括陳碧嬋及陳碧霞，均為桂洪集團家族成員。

[hkia]

This is a nice building. I don't want to see it turns into another glasswall.

[Kaitak747]

Originally Posted by hkia

This is a nice building. I don't want to see it turns into another glasswall.

It seems like a decent building in the picture, but I personally think it looks shabby and mediocre on the spot.

[hkskyline]

Maybe with a scrubbing, it'll look pretty and more modern.

By the way, I've posted a thread for this project in the international section :

HONG KONG | Manning House Redevelopment | 28 fl | App
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=995223

[HKT]

Good news that they have plans to redevelop 灣仔熙信大廈!

[Kaitak747]

Originally Posted by HKT

Good news that they have plans to redevelop 灣仔熙信大廈!

In addition, Tai Sheng Commercial Building is being demolished now.

[HKT]

Originally Posted by Kaitak747

In addition, Tai Sheng Commercial Building is being demolished now.

Yup, they are demolishing it now...hopefully, they will build something interesting.

[zergcerebrates]

I think Hong Kong should concentrate on making Tsimshatsui and Yau Ma Tei more appealing. The buidlings there behind nathan road are so old, and some buildings in Tsimshatsui along Nathan road near The Mira to Chungking mansion needs some facelift.

[Kaitak747]

Murray Building conversion tender set for 2011





Conversion plan: Government Architect Stephen Tang, Deputy Secretary for Development (Planning & Lands) Gracie Foo, and Chief Town Planner Fiona Lung outline the Murray Building Conversion project.

The public tendering exercise for the conversion of Murray Building into a hotel will start next year when its offices relocate to the new Central Government Complex at Tamar.



Speaking at a press briefing this afternoon, Deputy Secretary for Development (Planning & Lands) Gracie Foo said the building will be vacated by the end of next year.



"Statutory planning procedures will start in the coming months, amending the existing 'Government, Institution or Community' zone and 'Road' area to facilitate preservation of the building with architectural merits for hotel use. The public can submit views on the amendments to the Town Planning Board," she said.



Local and overseas developers and hotel operators are invited to submit tenders for the project. The land's lease term will be 50 years, from the date of the memorandum of agreement.



Design requirements

Technical submissions, including the Master Layout Plan, Landscape Master Plan, Pedestrian Connectivity Plan, Structural Feasibility Assessment for alternation or addition works, and Architectural Design for Additional Structures are required under the conditions of sale after the tender is awarded.



"A publicity drive will be launched in Hong Kong and overseas to allow potential developers and hotel operators to know more about the tender exercise," Ms Foo added.



The development must comply with conservation requirements and the successful bidder should preserve the main building setting and exterior design, the elevated road link from Cotton Tree Drive, and the land's trees.



The Government has proposed including a nearby government site in the project for the provision of public open space which will be designed, built, managed and maintained by the purchaser.



Development parameters

The proposed construction floor area of the main building, additional structures above rooftop and podium level will be 42,560, and 880 and 400 square metres. The minimum gross floor area for hotel rooms will be set with reference to the construction floor area.



Additional structures above the rooftop can be used to accommodate food, beverage and other ancillary facilities.



Additional structures above the podium should be in the southeastern portion.



All additional structures should follow a similar architectural language of the existing building while exposed utility plants should be screened effectively.



Public access

The development must fulfil transport requirements, turning the northern access road into one-way traffic from Garden Road to Cotton Tree Drive and maintaining the elevated road link.



To ensure public access, all existing facilities open for public access should be retained and public open space should also be provided.



The project must comply with environmental building design criteria, with a minimum of 20% green ratio and perimeter walls being planted.

[gladisimo]

Originally Posted by zergcerebrates

I think Hong Kong should concentrate on making Tsimshatsui and Yau Ma Tei more appealing. The buidlings there behind nathan road are so old, and some buildings in Tsimshatsui along Nathan road near The Mira to Chungking mansion needs some facelift.

I think (someone who knows better might clue me in on this) the problem with redoing Yau Ma Tei and Mong Kok (not sure about TST) is the same problem they have with the other projects of the URA, the ownership status of all the different units are just so confusing, and diffused that it's difficult for those buildings to get bought up and replaced.

TST definitely has the potential of getting redeveloped into a shopping (rather than financed) based modernization though. That ugly thing in front of the harbour (star house?) is due for a replacement/update, though the huge LCD screen installed a couple years ago probably means that won't happen anytime soon.

By the way, i think it's time we start looking at some of the buildings from the 50s-70s that should be saved. That building hkia mentioned does look pretty good, too bad it's owned by a corporation and they're unlikely to spend the money to revitalize it, much easier to tear it down and start anew.

Some of the Tong Laus (the taller ones) should be saved, as well as some of the 70s era buildings...

on a separate (OT) thought, has there been news of how the Ngau Tau Kok redevelopments are doing?

[hkskyline]

Originally Posted by gladisimo

on a separate (OT) thought, has there been news of how the Ngau Tau Kok redevelopments are doing?

Not much going on there lately :

HONG KONG | Lower Ngau Tau Kok Estate Redevelopment

[Kaitak747]

海事博物館遷中環設計完成



【記者譚美芳報道】討論多年的海事博物館搬遷往中環八號碼頭終現曙光。海事博物館完成新館設計工作，新館樓高四層，當中除設多個海事及航運展廳外，亦將增設咖啡店及禮品店等設施，以增加收入，海事博物館更計劃於八號碼頭前的空地，裝置紀念海事從業員的「海上巨人號」船錨為地標，提升新中環海濱吸引力，工程費估計逾一億元。不過，由於新館開支增加，門券收費將由廿元增至卅元。


保護維港行動計劃今日到中環八號碼頭抗議，要求保留八號碼頭作公眾休憩空間，讓市民到中環海濱休憩。

位八號碼頭 樓高四層
中西區區議會文化康樂及社會事務委員會明日開會審議海事博物館搬遷至中環八號碼頭的建議，之後會向城市規劃委員會遞交改變土地用途申請，若獲批准，民政事務局會向立法會申請撥款資助，最快二○一二年進行搬遷。

海事博物館建議於中環八號碼頭興建樓高四層的新館，下層甲板設海事文化資源中心及辦公室、上層設四個歷史展覽館，包括香港港口展廳、中國海事文化展廳、廣州海上貿易展廳等；公眾觀景層則包括禮品店、水上消閒活動展廳及香港渡輪主題展覽；至於屋頂觀景層則包括咖啡廳、海圖及領航展覽等。

海事博物館表示曾研究於博物館的公共開放空間，但由於新館展品達三千件，不少體積巨大，新館面積不敷應用，加上保安問題，新館難以再增設公共休憩空間。不過，該館指新中環海濱發展完成後，八號碼頭的四周及海濱將設長達三公里的海濱長廊，有足夠空間供公眾休憩，新館配合海濱長廊，將成為地標性的文化旅遊好去處。

[Kaitak747]

[Kaitak747]

政府合署變身綠化中心


發展局及規劃署就中區政府合署的新面貌諮詢公眾，為期兩個月。計劃建議保留相連的中座及東座大樓，轉作律政司辦公室；西座大樓則拆卸作商業發展及建造新花園。



署理發展局常任秘書長（規劃及地政）傅小慧今天（9月17日）在記者會上表示，計劃以加強中環綠化為主導，其他特點包括改善行人連繫、保育現有文物區，以及確保建築設計和周遭發展的共融。








保留現有古樹名木



傅小慧說，建議既回應了市場對中區商廈的持續需求，也顧及了公眾對優質城市環境的需要。




她表示，待使用者在2011年底遷往添馬艦新政府總部後，相連的中座及東座大樓將轉作律政司辦公室。



西座大樓的西端興建辦公室大樓，佔地約1,350平方米；東端約6,800平方米用地，則闢建公眾休憩用地，面積與皇后像廣場相若。



綠化範圍由禮賓府伸延至炮台里及雪廠街，並保留現有的古樹名木，包括中座中庭的紫檀樹。



商廈採用綠化外牆



行人可由皇后大道中經炮台里或新建的商業大廈直達休憩用地。當局將興建新的園景行人天橋連接嘉軒廣場。



建議興建的商業大廈的總樓面面積達42,000平方米，樓高約32層。大廈低層採用全綠化外牆及平台的設計概念，可紓緩皇后大道中和雪廠街路口在視覺上的壓力感。



當局將在美利道多層停車大廈的規劃及基礎設施展覽館舉行展覽會，展出西座大樓用地詳情的模型及設計圖。



市民可於11月30日或之前，把意見電郵、傳真（2577 3075）或郵寄至北角渣華道333號北角政府合署15樓。

[hkskyline]

Public consultation launched on new landscape of Central Government Offices
Friday, September 17, 2010
Government Press Release















The Development Bureau and the Planning Department today (September 17) launched a two-month public consultation exercise on the new landscape of Central Government Offices (CGO).

The CGO Complex is one of the eight projects under the "Conserving Central" initiative announced in the Chief Executive's 2009-10 Policy Address. The initiative has received broad public support.

As envisaged in the project, the Main and East Wings which are connected will be preserved for use by the Department of Justice after the relocation of the existing users to the new Central Government Complex at Tamar by end-2011. The West Wing, a standalone building built in 1959, which is of low historical significance and architectural merit, will be demolished for commercial development and to make way for an upgraded public garden in this part of Central.

Speaking on the proposed scheme, a Development Bureau spokesman said, "The proposal has four defining features: to provide more greenery; to improve pedestrian connectivity; to preserve the heritage precinct and to ensure a building design compatible with the surrounding developments in Central. We are seeking the public's views before we begin the statutory process to amend the Central District Outline Zoning Plan.

"Among the four defining features, enhanced greenery is the guiding theme," the spokesman added.

With the aim of restoring a green Central, upon demolition of the West Wing, a public open space totalling 6,800 square metres will be provided. This comprises public open space to be provided by the developer within a development site of 5,720 square metres on the western side and public open space to be provided on government land on the eastern side. This is of similar size to Statue Square.

The spokesman noted that the proposed public open space will restore the appearance of the CGO site to its condition before the existing Main, East and West Wings were built.

It will extend the greenery from Government House down to Battery Path and Ice House Street. All the existing Old and Valuable Trees on site, including a Burmese Rosewood in the central courtyard of the Main Wing, will be preserved.

The proposed new commercial building at the western end of the development site will be subject to a total gross floor area of about 42,000 square metres and a maximum building height of 150mPD (metres above Principal Datum), estimated to be about 32 storeys.

"A green facade concept with a vegetated podium will be adopted for the lower part of the new commercial building to provide visual relief at the busy junction of Queen's Road Central and Ice House Street. The public open space and its green backdrop will further enhance the setting of the surrounding monuments and historical landmarks," the spokesman added.

The public open space will be easily accessible from Queen's Road Central through Battery Path or through the new commercial building. A new landscaped footbridge to The Galleria will connect the site to the existing footbridge network in Central.

The new commercial building will be set back to facilitate the widening of Ice House Street and provide more space for pedestrians.

"We believe that the proposed scheme is a responsible act of conservation cum development, striking a good balance between meeting the continuous demand for office premises in Central and public aspirations for a quality urban environment," the spokesman said.

An exhibition of the proposed scheme, comprising displays and a model, will be held at the Planning and Infrastructure Exhibition Gallery at Murray Road Multi-storey Car Park Building in Central. The Development Bureau and the Planning Department will also consult the Legislative Council Panel on Development and the Central and Western District Council.

Details on the exhibition and the proposed scheme are available on the websites of the Development Bureau and the Planning Department at www.devb.gov.hk and www.pland.gov.hk .

Views and comments are welcome and should be sent to the Special Duties Section of the Planning Department by post (address: 15/F, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point, Hong Kong), by fax (2577 3075) or via email (sdpd@pland.gov.hk) by November 30, 2010.

[Kaitak747]

半座政府山改建甲級商廈 紓中環寫字樓短缺 地價料67億





【明報專訊】政府明年搬往添馬艦新政府總部後，現時位於下亞厘畢道的「政府山」，其東座和中座將會保留，面對皇后大道中的西座則會連同逾半政府山合共5720平方米土地賣給私人發展商，興建甲級寫字樓、地下商場和綠化休憩用地。有測量師估計，由於中環甲級寫字樓供應短缺，土地的樓面呎價有機會去到1.5萬元，以總樓面面積約45萬方呎計算，賣地價可以高達67億元。


公專聯反對賣山 倡完整保留


公共專業聯盟主席黎廣德反對有關安排，他稱政府山整體是政府權力中心，有百多年歷史，應該完整保留才符合保育要求。他又指政府庫房水浸，沒必要為增加幾十億收入而賣地，而且亦不應令密度已很高的中環雪上加霜。他反建議政府翻新西座，作為公營機構的辦公室或其他公眾用途。


在中環甲級寫字樓新供應嚴重短缺下，這個可建32層、約30萬方呎樓面的甲級寫字樓土地，勢成為未來寫字樓地王焦點。資深產業測量師彭兆基估計，由於中環甲級寫字樓供應短缺，這地樓面呎價有機會去到1.5萬元，以總樓面面積約45萬方呎計算，賣地價可高達67億元以上（見另稿）。


打造綠化地 保留11古樹


根據發展局的最新建議，政府總部中座、東座及最為人熟悉的紫檀大樹會保留，西座則會拆卸，並與逾半政府山土地賣給發展商，改為一座集中在西邊一隅的甲級寫字樓，樓高由西座原本的55米上升至約150米，只稍矮於附近商廈。至於商場則建在政府山地底，並設行人通道，讓市民可在雪廠街的商場入口直達政府山綠化休憩用地。


為打造商業地帶的綠洲，發展局建議由發展商負責設計和建造現時西座至中座之間的綠化休憩用地，佔地6800平方米，面積相當於皇后像廣場。範圍涵蓋11棵古樹名木冊下的古樹，包括有過百年歷史的紫檀木，發展局要求發展商保留這些古樹。


除了休憩用地外，發展局又建議將面向皇后大道中和雪廠街的位置設計成綠化斜坡，並將雪廠街的地盤後移，擴闊雪廠街路面。


「想綠化中環 非考慮地價」


將來休憩用地的管理問題引人關注，規劃署助理署長李志苗表示，雖然設計建造由發展商包辦，但希望將來由政府管理，「不會出現以前私人發展公共空間（例如限制市民活動或出入）的問題」。至於為何將休憩用地地皮賣給發展商，署理發展局常任秘書長傅小慧表示，不少人認為由發展商對寫字樓和休憩用地作整體設計，有其優點，她又強調，政府今次安排目的是想綠化中環，而非考慮地價。


政府會就方案諮詢公眾兩個月，明年向城規會申請將該土地轉為「綜合發展區」。由於政府明年底才搬往新政府總部，估計土地最快後年才可招標或拍賣。