Government approves new land for Hong Kong Red Cross headquarters development
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     The Government today (July 6) announced that the Chief Executive in Council has approved the grant of a site at Hoi Ting Road in Kowloon (Kowloon Inland Lot No. 11213) for the Hong Kong Red Cross (HKRC), at nominal premium by way of non-in-situ land exchange, to develop its new headquarters.

     The HKRC's existing headquarters site at Harcourt Road will be surrendered to the Government for the construction of a footbridge along Gloucester Road to form part of the comprehensive elevated walkway system connecting Wan Chai North and Admiralty.

     The site for the HKRC's development of a new headquarters covers a footprint area of 1,940 square metres. Under the HKRC's development plan, the new headquarters will have a total gross floor area of 11,900 square metres, providing health-related services, disaster relief and welfare-related services, and youth and volunteer services, as well as special education services. It will also be equipped with common facilities including offices, meeting and conference facilities, etc.

     Established in 1950, the HKRC provides services in five major areas, namely health and care services, blood transfusion, disaster relief, youth and volunteers and special education. The existing headquarters building of the HKRC has been in use since 1965. Over the past four decades, the HKRC has undergone substantial growth with significant expansion in its service scope and activities and its existing facilities have become inadequate.

     A Government spokesman said, "The HKRC's new headquarters will be able to support the organisation's continuous development, to enhance operational efficiency and cater for more new functions and facilities including a new blood collection centre.

     "We believe the community will benefit from the enhanced community services of the Red Cross after completion of the project."

     Subject to the completion of the land exchange procedures, the HKRC expects that the project could be completed in three and a half years, with about 200 jobs to be created during construction.

Ends/Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Issued at HKT 16:06

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