Central Government Complex (Hong Kong)

The Central Government Complex has been the headquarters of the Government of Hong Kong since 2011. Located at the Tamar site, the complex comprises the Central Government Offices, the Legislative Council Complex and the Office of the Chief Executive of Hong Kong. The complex has taken over the roles of several buildings, including the former Central Government Offices, Murray Building and the former Legislative Council Building.

For the central government of the People's Republic of China, see Central People's Government.
Central Government Complex
View of Office Block of the Central Government Complex in May 2017
Traditional Chinese香港特別行政區政府總部
Simplified Chinese香港特别行政区政府总部
Central Government Complex Site in March 2011
Central Government Complex View from Harcourt Road in August 2013
Rear view of the Low Block of the Central Government Complex West Wing in November 2014
The Civic Square, before and after its fortification

History

By 2001, existing government offices at Murray Building and the former Central Government Offices were considered to be too small.[1]: 3  Maintenance of the buildings was also increasingly costly, and the age of the buildings limited the technology used in them.[1]: 3  The Legislative Council Building on Jackson Road was also too small to house the entire LegCo Secretariat and all members' offices.[1]: 3 

A new government complex at Tamar was approved by the Executive Council on 30 April 2002 under the Tung Chee-hwa administration.[1]: 1  The new complex was to be the headquarters of the government, the Legislative Council and other community facilities, including a gallery, leisure facilities, open spaces and a waterfront promenade.[1]: 1–2  At the time, the construction was estimated to cost HK$6.4 billion.

The building was delivered through a design-build contract won by the Gammon-Hip Hing joint venture.[2] Construction was due to begin in mid-February 2008, for completion in 2011. It engaged more than 3,000 workers.[3]

Architecture

The architect was Rocco Yim, who premised the massing on the concept of "door always open".[4] The new government building uses neither Chinese nor European government building designs, but instead it is a mix of postmodern architecture and low-frills international design. The building initially had an open design, but has been heavily fortified after various protests.

Public realm

The complex was originally designed by Yim under the concept of "Door Always Open", symbolising the pride that Hong Kong holds in its "openness and transparency of governance". In keeping with this theme, the complex was meant to be accessible to the public and integrated with the surrounding urban context, and incorporates a range of public spaces.[4] Tamar Park passes through the complex, leading to the waterfront promenade on Victoria Harbour.

The Civic Square in front of the complex's East Wing has been blocked off from public access with a permanent fence.

Components

The complex consists of three blocks:

Office Block
FloorWest WingEast Wing
26/F Policy Innovation and Co-ordination Office
25/F Office of Chief Secretary for Administration, Office of Secretary of Finance (Hong Kong)
24/F Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau
23/F Commerce and Economic Development Bureau
22/F Transport and Housing Bureau
21/F Innovation and Technology Bureau, Innovation and Technology Commission
20/F
19/F Commerce and Economic Development Bureau, Development Bureau Food and Health Bureau
18/F Development Bureau
17/F Food and Health Bureau, Development Bureau, Transport and Housing Bureau
16/F Environment Bureau, Environmental Protection Department
15/F
14/F Government Headquarters Data Centre
13/F Home Affairs Bureau Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau
12/F
11/F Home Affairs Bureau, Labour and Welfare Bureau Education Bureau
10/F Labour and Welfare Bureau Security Bureau
9/F Civil Service Bureau
8/F
7/F Education Bureau
6/F
5/F
4/F
3/F Civil Service Bureau, Administration Wing

While official use came into effect on 1 August 2011, administrative staff had moved in beginning 15 January 2011.

References
  1. Planning and Lands Bureau (30 April 2002). Legislative Council Brief: Use of the Tamar Site for the Development of the Central Government Complex (PDF) (Report). PLB(CR) 21/36 (2001) Pt. 7. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
  2. "Joint venture wins Tamar project". Information Services Department. 10 January 2008. Archived from the original on 4 January 2017. Retrieved 14 July 2016.
  3. Tamar contract signed Archived April 21, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  4. "HKSAR Government Headquarters / Rocco Design Architects". ArchDaily. 28 February 2014.
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