ENG-1970 — Page 151

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LAND AND HOUSING

to the Building Authority for tentative consideration or formal approval. In addition, several conversion schemes of existing build- ings to hotel use were also under consideration or completed during the year.

The larger hotels under construction included a 34-storey, 1,004-bedroom complex at East Point, and an 890-bedroom hotel addition, above an existing office building at Lee Gardens, Hysan Avenue, both on Hong Kong Island, while work also started on an 18-storey, 895-bedroom hotel at the junction of Nathan Road and Salisbury Road in Kowloon.

Amongst the numerous high priced apartment blocks going up, many of them situated in the mid-level areas of Hong Kong Island, the most dominant was the 35-storey, circular Century Tower building adjacent to the May Road Peak Tram station. The slipform method of construction was used for the service core of this build- ing. Further up the Peak, foundation works started on-a major addition to the upper Peak Tram terminus. When completed, the seven-storey elliptical tower will comprise spacious lookouts, roof-garden, bank, post office, restaurant and facilities for both tourists and residents and command extensive views over the harbour and the south side of Hong Kong Island. In the New Territories, the Chinese University near Sha Tin was rapidly taking shape, with over half of its buildings, roads and ancillary services under construction by the end of the year.

In June, for the first time in 13 years, the various Divisions of the Buildings Ordinance Office moved under one roof upon completion of Murray Building, the new PWD main offices. With internal adjustment of staff and working procedures and some outside recruitment, every measure was taken to keep delays in processing and approving plans to a minimum. However with the necessity to carry out procedures to ensure that Government's planning in the field of urban renewal, mass transport and road construction are not frustrated by private development, and by the fact that this year's total submission of plans is the highest for seven years, some delays have been inevitable.

The Dangerous Buildings Division of the Buildings Ordinance Office continued with its task of dealing with private buildings which due to general dilapidation including structural deterioration have