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SCMP Reporter

New redevelopment blueprint turns Wedding Card St into Wedding City
A new blueprint for heritage conservation in Wan Chai was mapped out yesterday after the Urban Renewal Authority agreed to preserve the facade of the Wan Chai market and oversee a HK$300 million revitalisation of the area's main historic sites.
The latest arrangement will transform Lee Tung Street, commonly known as Wedding Card Street, into a themed 'Wedding City' lined with shops related to marriage.
The 80-year-old Blue House, one of the last surviving balconied tenements, will be added to the pilot scheme for revitalising historic buildings and residents will be allowed to move back in after renovations.
These plans were revealed yesterday after an Urban Renewal Authority board meeting.
Authority chairman Barry Cheung Chun-yuen said a rare attempt would be made to build a residential tower on top of the Bauhaus-style Wan Chai market, which could be kept where it is.
'The developer had agreed to a proposal that keeps the facade of the building,' he said. 'No more than 8 per cent of the internal structure would be altered for accommodating lift shafts and columns.'
Under the arrangement, the residential tower, capped at 148 metres, will be supported by piles going through the rear of the market.
Mr Cheung said the developer consented to the plan because it had 'heard the voice of the public' on preserving the market, and the plan balanced the importance of heritage conservation and the obligation of the  authority to honour the contract signed in 1996.
'Although this kind of engineering attempt is not uncommon overseas, it is rare in Hong Kong,' he said.
The market, owned by developer Chinese Estates Holdings, will be turned into a shopping centre. But negotiations on who will be responsible for the market's maintenance are still under way.
Mr Cheung also revealed that the now-deserted Lee Tung Street would be made into a business area housing shops relating to weddings.
A Wedding Traditions and Culture Gallery will be set up in one of the three pre-war buildings to be preserved.
He said the 27 former wedding card operators would be given priority to resume business, and economic incentives - including a rent waiver - would be considered.
But Kam Fok Lai-ching, of H15 Concern Group, which comprises former Lee Tung Street residents and business operators, said the authority had not contacted them on the detailed arrangements concerning their possible return.
She said the wedding card operators would probably not be able to go back as the rents for the new 'Wedding City' would be high.
Secretary for Development Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said a revitalisation scheme for Wan Chai would be launched to preserve historic buildings in groups instead of individually. It would cover 29 graded buildings. A supervisory committee, whose members will include Wan Chai councillors and professionals, would be formed to monitor progress.
Urban transformation
Wan Chai Market
No more than 8% of internal structure will be altered
The market will become a shopping centre of 100,000 sq ft
The tower above the market will have a height limit of 148m
Lee Tung Street
HK$3.58 billion project
3 pre-war buildings will be kept
4 residential towers will be built
SOURCE: URBAN RENEWAL AUTHORITY



Developer saves Wan Chai market