2003 Officials say they will only let one developer win the tender to transform West Kowloon into a cultural hub.

2004 Calls intensify for the authorities to scrap the canopy design and the one-developer model.

2006 The original plan is shelved. The government sets up the Consultative Committee on the Core Arts and Cultural Facilities of the West Kowloon Cultural District for a fresh round of consultation.

Jun 2007 Committee recommends building 15 performing arts venues, three hectares of piazzas, a cultural institution and an exhibition centre.

Oct 2007 The West Kowloon Cultural District becomes one of 10 major infrastructure projects trumpeted in Donald Tsang Yam-kuen's policy address.

Dec 2007: Three-month public engagement exercise indicates strong support for early implementation of the project.

Jul 2008 The West Kowloon Cultural District Authority Ordinance is enacted and HK$21.6 billion set aside to develop the project.

Oct 2008 Authority board members appointed to serve two-year terms under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Henry Tang Ying-yen.

Jun 2009 Angus Cheng Siu-chuen, a former Disney executive, quits as head of the authority after a week in the job.

Mar 2010 Graham Sheffield, artistic director of the Barbican Centre in London, is appointed as the new head.

Aug 2010 Three models for the arts hub by architects Rocco Yim Sen-kee, Rem Koolhaas and Norman Foster unveiled.

Jan 2011 Sheffield quits, citing health reasons.

Mar The City Park plan designed by Foster + Partners is selected as the preferred option.

May Australian arts administrator Michael Lynch is appointed the new head of the authority.

Jul 25 Lynch takes up the post.

Aug 26 Lynch says HK$21.6 billion government endowment is far from sufficient to complete the project due to inflation. A phased construction plan is under review.

Sep 29 Authority announces further delay of the project.