West Kowloon arts hub outlines residential development

The managing authority of the West Kowloon arts hub has outlined plans to build seven residential blocks that could offer nearly 2,000 private sector flats. Located south of Austin Road West, the proposed development also includes three multi-purpose basement levels and three other storeys above ground for retail, catering and entertainment, according to a document submitted to the Yau Tsim Mong District Council. The West Kowloon Cultural District Authority said the development plan would take up roughly 20,000 square metres of land. The plan would have a total gross floor area of 134,500 square metres, with some 80 percent coming from the residential project that's expected to provide up to 1,995 housing units. The housing blocks would create a stepped profile to "maintain the decent views looking out from Hong Kong Island" to the waterfront in West Kowloon, it added. Footbridges and walkways would be part of the plan, connecting Kowloon MTR Station and Elements, the shopping mall nearby. The authority is planning to apply to the Town Planning Board for planning permission in the first quarter of this year. In July last year, the Executive Council conditionally agreed to a funding proposal to allow the authority to sell some of its land parcels and keep all proceeds received from tenders to private developers to ease a financial shortfall.