Invitation of tenders for conservation and revitalisation of Haw Par Mansion

The Commissioner for Heritage's Office of the Development Bureau today (January 28) invites tenders for tenancy from interested corporations for the conservation and revitalisation of Haw Par Mansion (HPM), a Grade 1 historic building.

HPM, located at 15A Tai Hang Road, Causeway Bay, comprises a mansion in Chinese Renaissance style and a private garden. The revitalisation project aims to preserve and transform HPM into a heritage landmark, which is to be sustained by the operation of a commercially viable business of a compatible nature. The successful tenderer will be required to provide a reasonable degree of free access for public appreciation of the site.

A spokesman for the Development Bureau said, "We strive to diversify our approach to the revitalisation of historic buildings in Hong Kong. Taking account of its history, location, scale, heritage features and attractive interiors, we believe HPM has some good potential for a commercial mode of revitalisation.

"Since the establishment of the Commissioner for Heritage's Office, we have successfully identified non-profit-making organisations to help conserve and revitalise nine historic buildings under the Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme; we have collaborated with the Hong Kong Jockey Club in conserving the Central Police Station Compound and have chosen another non-profit-making body to revitalise the Former Police Married Quarters in Hollywood Road into a creative landmark 'PMQ'. If this approach to involve a private sector corporation proves successful, it would allow Government resources to focus on other less commercially viable heritage conservation projects. More historic buildings in Hong Kong would be conserved as a result."

The successful tenderer will, at his own cost, implement the restoration, upgrading and renovation works for HPM. He will offer, in his tender, financial terms to the Government for use of HPM for operating his proposed business. A two-envelope tendering approach is adopted and greater weight is given to the technical proposals over the financial offer.

Corporations (including joint ventures) duly registered in Hong Kong or elsewhere are eligible to submit tenders. To demonstrate their financial capability in taking up the required restoration, upgrading and renovation works, tenderers are required to possess a minimum of HK$60 million employed capital and a minimum of HK$60 million working capital.  

An assessment panel comprising representatives from relevant government bureaux and departments will be set up to assess the tender submissions, in accordance with a range of assessment criteria, including the reflection of the heritage value and significance of HPM, opportunities for public access for appreciation, merits in the technical aspects and the business proposals and management capabilities. In line with our emphasis on public participation in heritage work, the Secretary for Development has invited the Advisory Committee on Revitalisation of Historic Buildings chaired by Mr Bernard Chan, with its rich experience in evaluating proposals for the revitalisation of historic buildings, to provide advice to the assessment panel on the technical submissions during the selection process.  

Members of the public and Wan Chai District Council have put forward their views on the future uses of HPM, which have been suitably incorporated in the tender. Tenderers are encouraged to take these views into account in finalising their revitalisation proposals.

Open days including on-site briefing will be arranged in February for prospective tenderers to inspect HPM. Details will be announced later at the heritage conservation website (www.heritage.gov.hk/en/hpm/tender.htm).

The tender documents for the project, including a resource kit containing the background information of the site and conservation guidelines describing the conservation requirements, can be obtained from the heritage conservation website or from the Commissioner for Heritage's Office during office hours at Room 2100, 21/F, Murray Building, Garden Road, Central.  

The deadline for submission of tenders is noon on April 28, 2011 (Thursday).

Ends/Friday, January 28, 2011
Issued at HKT 19:15

NNNN


Back