Result of Selection

Tai O Heritage Hotel : Old Tai O Police Station

Old Tai O Police Station

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Address: Shek Tsai Po Street, Tai O, Lantau Island
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*		 Gross Floor Area: 1,000 m2
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Year Built: 1902
* Grading: Grade II
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Possible Uses: Boutique hotel, café, museum, eco-tourism

Selected Project : Tai O Heritage Hotel by Hong Kong Heritage Conservation Foundation Limited

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Presentation by Hong Kong Heritage Conservation Foundation Limited on 17 February 2009
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Capital cost: About $64.9 million
* Government subsidy required for operation of social enterprise: Nil
   

General Project Description

To establish a boutique heritage hotel with a view to:
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Revitalising the colonial Tai O Police Station in a beautiful rural seaside and fisheries village setting and offering unique natural environment, and hospitality experience;
* Promoting Tai O to local and overseas visitors as a tourist destination with high cultural, historical and environmental values;
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Providing Hong Kong people and overseas tourists with a tranquil rural retreat;
* Engaging the local community in the revitalisation of historic buildings and providing employment opportunities and training to Tai O and Lantau residents;
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Promoting the beauty of Hong Kong's countryside and green living to local and overseas tourists; and
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Encouraging further sustainable initiatives.

How to reflect or bring out Historical Significance of the Building

The project has captured the architectural quality and configuration of the Old Tai O Police Station and offered innovative and commendable ways to conserve, recover and capitalise the cultural significance of the building while retaining the highest degree of authenticity.

The project will:
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Transform the Old Tai O Police Station into a themed boutique hotel with colonial-style architecture and 9 suites;
* Establish a publicly accessible heritage library/museum and an exhibition area displaying the history of the former police station and Tai O; and
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Pose an image of contemporary lifestyle and embrace its historical and architectural legacy and hence establish the building as a unique landmark in the district.

Technical and Design Aspects

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The project shows thorough understanding of the site and conservation guidelines, and makes every effort to demonstrate compliance with modern-day requirements.
* The project will provide an inclined lift running on rails for visitors¡¦ access to the hotel from the street level.
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It will set up a specialty rooftop cafe/restaurant. The proposed glazed pitched roof at the outhouse for a restaurant is reversible and independent of the existing structure, and is acceptable from a conservation view point.
* The themed food and beverage engaging the green with commanding views will be an iconic attraction for visitors and tourists.
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It will retain deck portion and provide quality space for hotel function.
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The project will also recover and reinstall missing items.

Social Benefits

The project will:
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Have a positive effect on the long-term revitalisation plans for the Tai O fishing village and bring new energy to economy;
* Promote heritage, tourism and greening and achieve synergy among them;
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Help preserve Tai O's unique cultural traditions; and
* Engage the local community, through tour guide training and language programmes targeting local or nearby residents.

Job Creation

The project will create 103 jobs during renovation period and 10 full-time and 10 part-time jobs for local residents upon project commissioning.

Estimated Flow of People

About 61,000 headcounts per year for the first three years.

Selected Organisation

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The Hong Kong Heritage Conservation Foundation Limited is a non-profit-making organisation established in December 2007.

* It aims to protect and maintain heritage buildings, and promote the conservation and appreciation of heritage and historic places, and their importance in the life of our communities.
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Members of the Board of Directors have much experience in the design and management of many heritage building conservation and revitalisation projects in Singapore, including Fullerton Hotel & Resorts, Far East Square, Fullerton Waterboat House, Albert Court Hotel, Clifford Pier, The Fullerton Bay Hotel, One Fullerton and The Customs House.

Way Forward

* The selected organisation has to:
  • Complete the detailed project design;
  • Complete the required administrative procedures;
  • Seek formal funding approval from the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council;
  • Carry out the renovation work (anticipated renovation period: around 18 months);
  • Apply for licences (where applicable) for intended operations; and
  • Sign with government agreements on operations of the social enterprise and preservation of the historic building.
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    * Anticipated Project Commissioning Time: Q1 2012
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    Anticipated Breakeven Time: Year 1