Closure of Tsim Sha Tsui museums 'is to prepare for 20th anniversary of Hong Kong handover'

The controversial closure of major landmarks on the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront for a facelift over the next few years is part of preparations for celebrations to mark the 20th anniversary of the handover, sources close to the government have disclosed.

The Avenue of Stars, Hong Kong Space Museum and Hong Kong Museum of Art are all closing for periods ranging from one to four years, with their closures overlapping each other by at least five months.

The shuttering of the Space Museum and 440-metre promenade that hosts the Avenue of Stars will start on October 5, as soon as the mainland's three-day holiday period for National Day comes to an end. The Museum of Art has already closed, shutting its doors on August 3.

Sources close to the government said one reason behind the renovation of the venues was to set the stage for celebrations in 2017 marking the 20th anniversary of the city's handover to the mainland and the start of a new term of office for the chief executive.

Completion of the Space Museum renovation is due at the end of 2016 while part of the Avenue of Stars, Salisbury Garden, is due to be re-open in 2017.  The Musuem of Arts is scheduled to return in 2019.

Earlier this month, the Town Planning Board conditionally approved a plan by a non-profit subsidiary of New World Development to extend the avenue eastwards by 500 metres. New World will be allowed to continue managing the area until 2035.

Critics said the renovation plan, particularly for the Avenue of Stars, should have undergone a public consultation and that the three-year block on access to the waterfront was excessive.