Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme
The Revitalising Historic Buildings through Partnership Scheme is an initiative launched by the Hong Kong Government, part of a broader policy of heritage conservation in Hong Kong. In order to preserve and put historic buildings into good use and promote public participation in conserving historic buildings, the Hong Kong Government has chosen Government-owned buildings for adaptive reuse under the Scheme. , 8 properties have been opened in their new functions and 11 additional properties have been allotted for renovation. New uses include a museum, a marketplace, a 'creative arts psychological therapy centre', a facility to train guide dogs for the blind, and a leadership training centre with hostel.
Scope
Eligible applicants are non-profit-making organisations with charitable status under Section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance and joint ventures of two or more non-profit-making organisations. Participation requirements are broad, with equal weight promised to organisations regardless of size, age, or 'local experience in heritage conservation'. Applicants submit proposals for using these buildings to provide services or business in the form of social enterprise. Submissions include detailed plans to show how:
the historic buildings would be preserved
their historical significance would be brought out effectively
the social enterprise would operate in terms of financial viability
the local community would benefit, especially in terms of jobs and cultural landmarks.
Funding can be entirely independent, or government funding support may be available. Government funding may come in the form of a grant for renovation, reduced rental fees, or a grant to assist with start-up costs and early operating costs. The Advisory Committee on Built Heritage Conservation – composed of experts in development and conservation – then assesses the proposals. After two rounds of assessment, the ACBHC chooses the bidding winner.
Revitalisation work
Batch I
Batch I of the Scheme started in February 2008. Batch I of the Scheme included seven buildings:
A total of 114 applications from non-profit-making organisations were received for the 7 Batch I historic buildings under the Scheme. The Development Bureau announced the competition results on 17 February 2009, along with a series of roving exhibitions set for that year. The renovations followed a staggered schedule, with the first project beginning in December 2009 and the last project ending in September 2013.
Batch II
Batch II of the Scheme started in August 2009. Batch II included the following buildings:
A total of 38 applications were submitted for 5 buildings. Projects were selected for 3 of the buildings. The work began in December 2012, and all three projects were completed by April 2017.
Batch III
Batch III of the Scheme began in October 2011. Batch III includes the following buildings:
A total of 34 applications were submitted. The ACBHC announced the winning proposals for 3 of the 4 buildings in February 2013, but postponed the revitalisation of King Yin Lei. Renovation work ran from June 2016 to June 2018, and the 3 projects were commissioned in December 2018.
Batch IV
Batch IV of the Scheme began in December 2013. Batch IV includes the following buildings:
A total of 26 applications were received for the 4 historic buildings in Batch IV. The 3 winning proposals were announced in June 2015; King Yin Lei was again un-awarded, with short-term plans for government management and long-term reassessment. Work on the 3 projects began in the first quarter of 2019, with planned completion dates in 2020 and planned commissioning in 2021.
Batch V
Batch V of the Scheme began in November 2016. Batch V includes the following buildings:
The 5 historic buildings received 34 applications. The ACBHC announced the winning proposals for 4 of the buildings in February 2013; Fong Yuen Study Hall was un-awarded, with short-term plans for government management and long-term reassessment. Renovation work is scheduled for 2021–2024, depending on the project.
Batch VI
Batch VI of the Scheme includes the following buildings:
Batch VI of the Scheme is in the planning stages. After a series of "Open Days for Applicants" in December 2019 and a "Workshop for Applicants" in January 2020, proposals were originally due in April 2020 but after two postponements are due in September 2020. This round includes the two previously postponed buildings, King Yin Lei and Fong Yuen Study Hall.
