Notes » June 2004

Mansion Maintenance

How does one make a choice between heritage conservation and development?

In Hong Kong, developers often tear down the old to make way for the new. Unless a building is declared a monument by the government, little hope remains for saving an old structure.

View large image Such is the case with King Yin Lei mansion at 45 Stubbs Road, a gorgeous three-storey fusion of Western and Chinese architecture. Built in 1936, the 25,000-square-foot mansion resides on 50,000 square feet of prime property, which developers have drooled over for years as it commands an unimpeded view of the Happy Valley Race Course and Victoria Harbour.

The Conservancy Association, headed by chief executive Lister Chung, said the association has attempted to save the building with a HK$6 million tender offer, although it is expected to be sold for as much as HK$400 million.

Cheung said the association holds out little hope of winning the tender since it is not a property developer.

He said the aim of the bid is to raise the property's profile among the Hong Kong public and to encourage developers to retain its characteristics.

[ ... ]

The Conservancy Association has nominated the building for preserved monument status under the Review of Built Heritage Conservation Policy.

The house was used in the 1955 films Love is a Many Splendored Thing, starring Jennifer Jones, and Soldier of Fortune, starring Clark Gable and Susan Hayward.

But does it meet the criteria of "built heritage"? It survived World War II, its architecture is unique and it calls to mind a time when Hong Kong was growing into the international city it became.

Were it to be protected, it would be put to good use. Yet it's a private residence; does the government have the right to step in? Unlike public buildings which serve the masses, this mansion serves few.

The owner had considered replacing the house when he bought the property in 1977. At the time it was 40 years old; no one would have questioned the decision.

Does the additional 27 years change the equation?

Instead of destroying the mansion, the solution may be as simple as converting it into an administration office and resident clubhouse, if the developers can find a way to incorporate the building into their design plans.

I'd hate to see it demolished.

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