Hong Kong’s Waterfront Set for a Makeover

Hong Kong Island’s waterfront has long been disappointingly functional rather than beautiful.

Stretching from the piers for outlying islands to the Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wanchai, it includes the Central-Wanchai bypass, currently under construction, a low-rise, grade-A office building to replace the General Post Office, more offices and a hotel in front of Citic Tower.

Plus a four-building ‘groundscraper’ (low-rise skyscraper on its side) at the Star Ferry walkway will offer floor plates likely to appeal to financial services.

Positives include the 2km promenade, a new deck leading from IFC Mall’s first floor to piers 4 to 6 with retail, F&B and community outlets, and an extra floor above the piers for more shops, restaurants and viewing platforms.

Further along the waterfront questions remain regarding Queen’s Pier, the old Star Ferry clock tower, the space between the Star Ferry pier and Tamar Park and the permanent home for the Observation Wheel, which will need to be moved mid-2017.

The government is keen to create a new body, likely called the Harbourfront Authority, by mid-2017 to take over the project.

“It will make a difference to have an authority that has executive power,” says chairman of the Harbourfront Commission Nicholas Brooke.

“Right now the commission is advisory. We are keen to move from ‘can’t do’ to ‘can do’. The Leisure and Cultural Services Department, which runs all the parks, is hamstrung by rules and regulations. At the moment you can’t walk your dogs, you can’t sit on the grass, you can’t ride your bikes, and so on,” he says.

The Central Harbourfront construction will likely take up to seven years and the area will be under construction again for the delayed North Island MTR Line.