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Bridges Street Market: Hong Kong News-Expo

• Selected applicant: Journalism Education Foundation Hong Kong Limited
• Capital cost: About HK$65.9 million
• Government subsidy required for operation of social enterprise: About HK$5 million

General Project Description

• To revitalise the market into a Hong Kong News-Expo, an exhibition-cum-education facility with news as the main theme.
• The project will:
  • demonstrate how media diversity is one of the success factors that contribute to Hong Kong’s emergence as a world-class metropolis, through themed displays of news reports over the past century;
  • take visitors to virtual news scenes to experience how news is produced at experiential studios;
  • hold lectures and seminars on the evolution of the Hong Kong press and its impact on social development; and
  • provide media and liberal studies education and other learning experiences to students and young people.

Historical Significance

The historical significance of the building will be brought out and maintained by:

• Converting the building into a media education centre for students, a press resource centre and a gathering place for local residents will continue the important legacy of the press in the Central and Western district as the Bridges Street Market is situated in an area where some of the oldest newspapers and printing houses used to operate;
• The historical significance of the site will be brought out through displays of its history and its association with Dr. Sun Yat-sen;
• The proposal echoes with the building’s current use as a market for serving the community and providing a platform for information exchange; and
• The Hong Kong News-Expo will become another attraction and landmark to both overseas visitors as well as local residents from the Hong Kong tourism perspective.

Technical Aspects

The Hong Kong News-Expo complies with conservation guidelines by:

• Demolishing the refuse collection point for reinstatement as street steps so as to remove local obstruction for uphill vista of Shing Wong Street leading up to the Mid-levels as well as unveil the side elevation for the market building in International Modernist style;
• Preserving most architectural features and external facades;
• Complying with modern day requirements; and
• Introducing proper alteration works without causing extensive physical and visual impact to the building.

Social Benefits

The project will bring benefits to the society by:

• Demonstrating press freedom as one of Hong Kong’s key success factors through displays of news reports on historic events and developments;
• Enhancing students and young people’s understanding of Hong Kong and their independent thinking skills through visits to Hong Kong News-Expo and participation in its media education programmes;
• Preserving the cultural legacy of the Hong Kong press by collecting original news reports over the past century;
• Providing a platform of exchange between local and overseas journalists;
• Becoming a landmark, where tourist can learn about the city’s special character and appreciate its unique culture; and
• Deepening students’ understanding of the development of Hong Kong and the importance of the news media

Selected Organisation

Journalism Education Foundation Hong Kong Limited was set up in 2006. As a non-profit-making organisation, the Foundation seeks to raise the standards of journalism, with a view to “Expanding Vision, Enlightening the Mind”. Hong Kong faces keen competition in a rapidly changing international environment. The Foundation sees an urgent need for the news media to help the city maintain its competitiveness by enhancing public understanding of its position in the world.

Way Forward

• The selected organisation has to:
  • complete the detailed project design;
  • complete the required administrative procedures;
  • seek planning permission (where applicable) from the Town Planning Board on the intended usage;
  • seek formal funding approval from the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council;
  • carry out the renovation work (anticipated renovation period: around 13 months);
  • apply for licences (where applicable) for intended operations; and
  • sign with the Government agreements on operations of the social enterprise and preservation of the historic building.
• Anticipated Project Commissioning Time: 2016
• Anticipated Breakeven Time: Year 3