Government to oversee management of King Yin Lei mansion as search for suitable operator continues
The government will study the long-term use of the historic King Yin Lei mansion after a committee seeking to revitalise the declared monument failed twice to find the right operator to run the site, the development chief said yesterday.
Paul Chan Mo-po wrote in his blog that he understood the public was anxious about the project and said it was unfortunate that an appropriate proposal could not be picked.
"To let the public visit and use this beautiful declared monument, I have accepted the recommendation of the Advisory Committee on Revitalisation of Historic Buildings that the government continue to manage King Yin Lei.
"We are liaising with other departments to study long-term use and operation of King Yin Lei," Chan wrote in his blog.
Open days at King Yin Lei would be arranged again from next month, he added.
It was announced last week that none of 11 proposals submitted to the committee fulfilled public expectations, despite the site on Stubbs Road being included twice under the government's revitalisation scheme.
One of the failed proposals, from the Lifestyle Group, wanted to turn it into a family camp.
The mansion, built in 1937, is a rare surviving example of the Chinese Renaissance style that reflected the design and construction features of both Chinese and Western architecture in Hong Kong.
Three old venues - the former Dairy Farm senior staff quarters in Pok Fu Lam; the Lady Ho Tung Welfare Centre in Sheung Shui; and a former free school in Tai Hang - would, however, have new operators to bring them back to life.
Chan said he hoped the plans could be implemented as soon as possible to increase the public's awareness of intangible cultural heritage, culture in the community and the ecosystem.
