Two iconic buildings in Mong Kok and Stanley will be turned into hotels after owners secured approval from the Town Planning Board yesterday.
The board gave a green light to the projects as they will address increasing demand from tourists and will not significantly add to traffic flow to the areas.
One of the premises, No 179 Prince Edward Road, is a newly graded historic tenement building. Planning consultant Kim Chan Kim-on said the developer originally wanted to demolish it but changed the plan after the Antiquities Advisory Board recommended this month that the government give it grade-three historic status.
Under the plan, the building's exterior, common staircases and a flagpole on the roof will be preserved. But the redevelopment, into a 17-storey hotel with 50 guestrooms, will involve demolishing part of the building.
A public display area of about 78.6 square metres will be set up on the second floor to showcase the history and architectural merits of the building. The hotel tower will feature a Chinese concertina lantern design.
Commissioner for Heritage Jack Chan Jick-chi said the Development Bureau provided strong policy support on conservation-cum-development proposals and the project would set a very good example of a heritage initiative from the private sector, in particular having due regard to public accessibility and promotion of architectural heritage.