Sustainable Living Hong Kong

Speaking of the land of the ruling class, hot on the heels of its Island Crest project, which has successfully sterilised a low-rise community on First Street, the Urban Renewal Authority is now inviting tender to do the same further up the hill in Sai Ying Pun.

Expressions of Interest are being invited by the URA for the joint development of a 23,143 square-feet site on Third Street that is expected to yield 177,175 square feet in total gross floor area. The development will provide about 270 homes, of which a large number will be smaller than 500 square feet. So, assuming a generous apportionment of usable space of 79% per flat, each of these flats will have less than 400 square feet. Put in a partition or two, and you’d better be a Lilliputian to be comfortable in it.

And if Island Crest is any indication, expect all community street life to be wiped away in one fell swoop. In place of the old neighbourhood stores are imposing pillars that lift the development above other buildings in the area – for the view of course – and give it an air of gentility without a hint of humanity about it. And for that, buyers must part with HK$14,000-18,000 per square foot – no doubt the kind of return URA looks to reap with the new project, the community be damned.