Rare example of pre-war Hong Kong architecture to be destroyed after building owners ignore government pleas to save it
Chinese tenement block in Sham Shui Po owned by four companies
Buildings Department gives permission for rare site to be demolished as Development Bureau tries to get owners to talk
South China Morning Post
Excerpt
1 Jun, 2019
on.cc
Authorities in Hong Kong have failed to save a rare, pre-war Chinese tenement block from the wrecking ball, despite weekly attempts to get in touch with the owners of the historic property for the past five months, the Post has learned.
The Buildings Department has approved a proposal submitted by the owners of a 86-year-old walk-up in Sham Shui Po for it to be demolished.
“Despite various attempts to approach the owners … [we] have not received any response. Notwithstanding, we will continue to reach the owners,” the Development Bureau told the Post, adding it was ready to discuss possible options for preserving the block.
The go-ahead was given after government heritage advisers in March proposed a grade two status for the building, the second in a three-tier scale that is not legally binding. The Antiquities Advisory Board has yet to consider views received during a public consultation before confirming the grading when it meets on June 13.
The tenement is owned by four separate companies, all of which have the same eight directors, including Lo Yuk-sui, chairman of Regal Hotels International Holdings.
Four of the other seven directors sit on the boards of three other firms, including Regal, Century City International Holdings, and Paliburg Holdings, which have businesses ranging from property development to hotels and aircraft leasing.
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