Government
would preserve Kom Tong Hall for use as a Dr. Sun Yat-sen
Museum
The Government spokesman announced today (February 21) that a consensus
has been reached with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints,
the owner of Kom Tong Hall, on the preservation of this historical building.
The Government will acquire Kom Tong Hall at a consideration of $53 million
for converting the building into a Dr. Sun Yat-sen Museum.
The Secretary for Home Affairs, Dr. Patrick Ho Chi-ping, today officiated
at a ceremony where the Director of Lands, Mr. Patrick Lau Lai-chiu, signed
on behalf of the Government a Letter of Intent with the Church to confirm
the afore-mentioned consensus. A Deed of Surrender will be signed in late
March and relevant legal procedures will be cleared to complete the transfer
of the building's ownership.
Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Ho noted that with distinguished historical
and architectural merits, Kom Tong Hall could be regarded as a representative
historical building in Hong Kong which was worth permanent preservation.
"We are glad that a consensus is reached with the Church to preserve the
building after a year of sincere negotiation. This consensus is a win-win outcome
for the Government, the Church and the public, who will all be pleased to see
this invaluable building being preserved and turned into a Dr. Sun Yat-sen Museum," he
said.
The Government plans to convert Kom Tong Hall into a Dr. Sun Yat-sen Museum
with a budget of $91 million, to introduce Dr. Sun's life and his revolutionary
activities in Hong Kong. It is anticipated that the Museum will be open
to the public in November 2006 to commemorate Dr. Sun's 140th birthday.
Dr. Sun Yat-sen is one of the most respectable figures in the history of
China. He led the revolution and established the first republican government
in China. He received his education in Hong Kong and organized revolutionary
activities in the territory.
Dr. Ho said: "The Government has been searching for a suitable site
for the provision of Dr. Sun Yat-sen Museum. We believe that the use of
the Kom Tong Hall as the Museum would be the best solution both to the
preservation of this historical building and the provision of a suitable
venue for the promotion of the understanding of Dr. Sun's life and philosophy."
Being centrally located among the many points of heritage interest in the
Central and Western District, including the Sun Yat-sen Historical Trail,
the future Dr. Sun Museum will well serve as an anchor where visitors could
gain an insight into Dr. Sun's history and activities in Hong Kong before
setting off for other tourist attractions in the area.
The
Kom Tong Hall, located at 7 Castle Road, Central and Western District,
was built in 1914 as a residence of the affluent Ho Kom-tong family.
Built in the classical style architecture of the Edwardian period, the
building is lavishly decorated with stained glass windows, teakwood staircase
and panels, most of which well-preserved in their original state.
The building was purchased by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day
Saints in 1960 and has been used as a religious education institute since
then. In October 2002, the Church submitted an application to the Building
Authority to demolish the building. The Government approached the Church
immediately on learning about the demolition proposal, and finally reached
a consensus with the Church in preserving the building after series of
negotiations.
The Government spokesman hoped that the preservation of the Kom Tong Hall
could serve as a successful example to encourage the community and private
property owners to join hands with the Government in the conservation of
cultural heritage.
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