HKU opts to preserve historic water treatment works

The University of Hong Kong will preserve a historic industrial building in Pok Fu Lam despite earlier plans to demolish it to make way for a HK$2.5 billion campus.

It was revealed yesterday that the group in charge of campus redevelopment and the university's council had approved the conservation of the Elliot Treatment Works Building. John Malpas, pro-vice-chancellor and chairman of the group, said the university was aware of the public sentiment related to the water treatment works.

'Conserving heritage buildings is one of the planning principles for the development of the [campus],' Professor Malpas said.

Despite the physical and technical constraints, the university and the Water Services Department had found a viable solution for the conservation of the building, he said.

The three-storey treatment works, in the middle of the new campus site, was built about 1931 to provide water to residents in Mid-Levels and Western district. It was decommissioned in 1993.

The university initially suggested relocating the plant, keeping the facade and showcasing the city's history of water supply with photographs, maps, plans and equipment - an idea opposed by green groups and legislators, who called for preserving the building.