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Hoi Yu Street Waterfront Mixed Use Development
S.12A Application for Proposed Amendments to the “Other Specified Uses (1)” annotated “Cultural and/or Commercial, Leisure and Tourism Related Uses” Zone (“OU(1)”)
Background
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The “OU(1)” Application Site is partly private land, and partly government land. A set of general building plans for a 25-storey tall (about 80mPD) industrial building (IB) on the private lots was approved in 2001. Construction of the IB commenced around mid-2017 but was halted at the request of the Government due to its incompatibility with the waterfront setting and planning intention.
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A Section 16 application at the “OU(1)” zone was subsequently submitted by the previous landowner of the private lots. It was approved in February 2019 for a scheme comprising primarily hotel and office use above a retail podium, and includes a long footbridge routing over the Island Eastern Corridor and Quarry Bay Park. However, the implementation of the Approved Scheme did not proceed due to commercial unviability and financial challenges faced by the previous owner.
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Current Situation
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The current landowner seeks to create a new waterfront destination with cultural, leisure and tourism uses at the heart of the development, whilst maintaining commercial viability through the inclusion of flats in the development scheme. It is envisaged that the proposed development will transform the locality into a vibrant harbourfront with a new iconic attraction that draws locals and visitors time and again.
Masterplan has been involved since the early stages, including the development of a planning strategy and the formulation of a Conceptual Scheme for the Section 12A planning application. The S.12A has been submitted to the Town Planning Board, and is currently pending consideration and decision by the Board.
The objective of the S.12A application is to expand the permitted uses to include “Flat” in Column 2 of the “OU(1)” zone, to enable a commercially viable scheme that achieves the planning intention of the zone. It also seeks to relax the building height restriction from 35mPD to 47mPD to enable a well-designed scheme that would maintain compatibility with its harboufront context.
The central piece of the S.12A Conceptual Scheme is a cultural venue designed for immersive experience. This will be integrated with extensive open spaces accessible to the public, including a waterfront piazza and a series of harbour steps, designed for people to relax, socialise and enjoy views of the harbour. Shops and F&B facilities are also proposed on the ground level with al-fresco dining. High-quality residential flats are placed above the non-domestic uses. The mix of uses will transform the harbourfront into a vibrant and attractive destination.
Pedestrian connectivity and access to the site are integral parts of the development on this site. The Conceptual Scheme includes a footbridge over the Island Eastern Corridor and conveniently connects to Quarry Bay Park. The proposed footbridge is an improvement to the previously approved bridge. It will preserve a significant number of trees within the Park, providing pedestrians with a green, leisurely walk through the Park. The site has also been designed to seamlessly integrate with the Government’s East Coast Boardwalk, enabling a continuous waterfront promenade for public enjoyment.