Conservation and revitalisation project of Haw Par Mansion re-tendered

The Commissioner for Heritage's Office of the Development Bureau today (May 27) relaunched tender invitations for tenancy from interested corporations to provide proposals for the conservation and revitalisation of Haw Par Mansion (HPM), a Grade 1 historic building located at 15A Tai Hang Road, Causeway Bay.

Tenders for the conservation and revitalisation of HPM were last invited on January 28, 2011, and closed on April 28, 2011. Only one tender was received but it did not conform to the mandatory requirements stated in the tender invitation. Accordingly, having obtained approval from the Government Logistics Department Tender Board, the Bureau has cancelled the tender exercise.

"Although response was lukewarm, we believe that given the uniqueness of this project, it may be worth another attempt to test the market. After all, re-tendering is a common practice in government procurement," a spokesman for the Commissioner for Heritage's Office said.

As in the tender last issued, the revitalisation project aims to preserve and transform HPM into a heritage landmark, which is to be sustained by the operation of a commercially viable business of a nature that is compatible with the historic building and its surroundings. The successful tenderer will be required to provide a reasonable degree of access for public appreciation of the site when the revitalised facility is in operation. The successful tenderer will, at his own cost, implement the restoration, upgrading and renovation works for HPM. The successful tenderer will offer, in his tender, financial terms to the Government for use of HPM for operating his proposed business.

The requirements of this re-tender remain the same as those of the last tender exercise. Corporations (including joint ventures) duly registered in Hong Kong or elsewhere are eligible to submit tenders. To demonstrate their financial capability in taking up the required restoration, upgrading and renovation works, tenderers are required to possess a minimum of HK$60 million employed capital and a minimum of HK$60 million working capital.  

A two-envelope tendering approach is being used and greater weight will be given to the technical proposals over the financial offer. An assessment panel comprising representatives from relevant government bureaus and departments will be set up to assess the tender submissions, in accordance with a range of assessment criteria, including the reflection of the heritage value and significance of HPM, opportunities for public access for appreciation, acceptability in the technical aspects, the nature of the business proposals and management capabilities of the tenderer. The Advisory Committee on Revitalisation of Historic Buildings chaired by Mr Bernard Chan, with its rich experience in evaluating proposals for the revitalisation of historic buildings, will provide advice to the assessment panel on the technical submissions during the selection process.  

An open day including on-site briefing will be arranged for prospective tenderers to inspect HPM. Details will be announced later at the heritage conservation website (www.heritage.gov.hk/en/hpm/tender.htm).

Interested corporations can obtain the tender documents including a resource kit containing the background information of the site and conservation guidelines describing the conservation requirements at the heritage conservation website (www.heritage.gov.hk/en/hpm/tender.htm), or from the Commissioner for Heritage's Office during office hours at Room 2100, 21/F, Murray Building, Garden Road, Central.  

The deadline for submission of tenders is noon on August 29, 2011 (Monday).

Ends/Friday, May 27, 2011
Issued at HKT 12:03

NNNN


Back