Central preservation/policy address

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 10/14/2009 - 14:08

donald tsang has finally announced they will retain central market, plus the older wings of central government offices, the old police married quarters (wasn't clear before if they would knock one or both down), while murray building will be converted into a hotel. also they're open to what the court of final appeal building may be used for once the court is moved to Legco. any thoughts?

http://www.news.gov.hk/en/category/infrastructureandlogistics/091014/html/091014en06003.htm

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Submitted by
80sKid (not verified)
on
Mon, 10/19/2009 - 17:26

the government's heritage web site has uploaded the very detailed report on Central Government Offices and surrounding are by the British conservation architects Purcell Miller Tritton. Worth reading, has a good history on the development of that part of Central, including photos, maps (including of the tunnels etc).

http://www.heritage.gov.hk/en/conserve/centraloffice.htm

I like the idea of re-using more old buildings instead of just knocking down and replacing.

I also take it as a positive thing that newer buildings such as Murray Building are included in this 'recycle a building' plan.

So, it's heading in the right direction as far as I can see. What's your reaction to it?

Regards, David

PS 80skid, thanks for the link - looks interesting!

what's changed is they've started using outside experts to study and advise them on bigger heritage areas - the people who did this study also worked on the central police station complex.  that means atmospheres can be preserved, as well as buildings, while historical context can be restored if necessary. it also means mistakes are less likely to be made (ie the former marine police headquarters.)
I think a lot of credit is due to to the development secretary Carrie Lam; most of the newer (and better) heritage ideas have come from her department.
I think it's great they're keeping buildings like murray building and the main wings of the government offices. While they may not be treasured now, as we know fifty years ago a lot of the edwardian style buildings were considered fussy and unattractive.

this latest decision appears to be the most wide-ranging they've made.