Over the past two years, I have shared with you in my blog on several occasions the vision and progress of the Kai Tak Fantasy (KTF). We have been committed to promoting public participation in taking the project forward, from formulating the initial concepts and organising public engagement activities to launching the International Ideas Competition on Urban Planning and Design. KTF moves on to the next stage as the Energizing Kowloon East Office (EKEO) is now inviting interested parties to submit expressions of interest (EOI) for the development of the Tourism Node at Kai Tak as the first concrete step to realise the vision of KTF.

KTF encompasses the former runway tip and its adjoining areas, and is designed to develop into a world-class tourism, entertainment and leisure hub. The Tourism Node, on a 5.93 hectare site, is the largest lot available for development and is also a major component of the KTF project. Early development of the Tourism Node will create synergy with the adjoining Kai Tak Cruise Terminal and the planned hotel and residential developments nearby.

The Tourism Node is planned to provide tourism-related uses, comprising commercial, office, hotel and entertainment and leisure facilities, with a total maximum gross floor area of about 230 000 square metres. Based on the winning entry of the International Ideas Competition on Urban Planning and Design as well as the public opinion received over the course of the competition, we aim to incorporate the “Healthy City” concept, together with the construction of a water channel, and the “Public Creatives” concept for the Kai Tak Development, into the general design for the Tourism Node, fully taking into account the site’s connection and integration with the surrounding areas. In particular, the entertainment and leisure facilities there will have to create a unique ambience suitable for both daytime and nighttime activities, which will turn them into a new hotspot popular with locals and tourists alike.

Before finalising the detailed requirements for future land disposal, we are now gathering ideas and suggestions concerning the development of the Tourism Node by inviting EOI submissions from the market.  The EOI exercise will not only shorten our preparation time, but also enable us to tap  market wisdom for viable development proposals with business sustainability for the Tourism Node, providing reference to the Government  for formulating the detailed land disposal requirements, so that the vision of a new hotspot will soon materialise for public enjoyment .

I cordially invite those who are interested in developing the Tourism Node to submit their EOI before 8 December 2015 and join us to realise the community’s vision of KTF.  Details of the EOI invitation and relevant information are available at the EKEO website (www.ekeo.gov.hk/).