The former Police Married Quarters buildings on Hollywood Road, Central will be transformed into a creative industries landmark named “PMQ” it was recently announced by the Development Bureau.
The Secretary for Development, Mrs Carrie Lam and the Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Revitalisation of Historic Buildings, Mr Bernard Chan, held a press conference in November to announce the selection result of the invitation for proposals exercise for transforming the Former Police Married Quarters on Hollywood Road into a creative industries landmark. PMQ is the brainchild of the Musketeers Education and Culture Charitable Foundation with the support of Hong Kong Design Centre, Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the Vocational Training Council’s Hong Kong Design Institute.
Mrs Lam stated, “The PMQ project was a very thorough and comprehensive proposal, and would best fulfil the three objectives of the scheme, namely promotion of creative industries, heritage conservation and the provision of local open space. It also has the most potential for transforming the site into a creative industries landmark.”
PMQ will provide studios for retailing creative products, an indoor multi-function activity hall, outdoor open space for creative activities, a creative resources centre, rooms for artists-in-residence, an interpretation area displaying the remains of the former Central School, a landscaped open area and other ancillary commercial facilities such as food and beverage outlets.
The project will create about 280 jobs during the construction period and about 130 full-time and part-time jobs upon commissioning. About 630 further jobs will be provided by future tenants of the studios. Renovation work is expected to commence in 2012 and to be completed in 2014 for operation in the same year.
The applications were assessed by the Advisory Committee on Revitalisation of Historic Buildings together with four experts from creative industries. The committee scrutinised the applications in accordance with a marking scheme comprising the following four criteria. These were, a reflection of historical value and technical aspects, creative industries value, social value and social enterprise operation, financial viability and finally management capability and other considerations.
The committee chairman, Mr Bernard Chan, said that the committee had visited a number of sites that had been revitalised for creative industries in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Hong Kong before vetting the applications. 
Mrs Lam said, “With the completion of the selection process, the Former Police Married Quarters on Hollywood Road, together with the contemporary arts centre to be taken forward by the Hong Kong Jockey Club at the Central Police Station Compound and the Central Oasis to be created by the Urban Renewal Authority at Central Market, an ‘area’ is gradually being formed under the approach of ‘spot’, ‘line’ and ‘area’ for heritage conservation.
Several years from now, Central will not only be the financial centre of Hong Kong, but also become a great place for public enjoyment.”
She also said that the Government had reserved about $420 million under the Public Works Programme for primary renovation of the project by the Government. The Musketeers Foundation would bear the costs incurred beyond the Government’s works, as well as the costs for interior decoration and daily operation of the creative landmark.
PMQ will provide an all-round platform where different creative establishments can carry out their creative works, display and sell their works and organise events to attract visitors and develop a creative atmosphere in the community. The value this will add to the quality of life in Central will be immense. If the city continues with enough other revitalization projects of this magnitude it won’t be long before our reputation as a truly world-class destination will be undeniable.
Details of the project can be found at the heritage conservation website www.heritage.gov.hk
The Secretary for Development, Mrs Carrie Lam, and the Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Revitalisation of Historic Buildings, Mr Bernard Chan, announced the selection result of the invitation for proposals exercise for transforming the Former Police Married Quarters on Hollywood Road into a creative industries landmark. Mrs Lam (third right), Mr Bernard Chan (third left), and the founders of Musketeers Education and Culture Charitable Foundation Limited, Mr Stanley Chu (second left) and Mr Lawrence Fung (second right), and other guests show some artists impressions of “PMQ”.