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As a result of the Government's effort in preserving major landmarks of significant heritage value, the Haw Par Mansion, an historical building in the Tiger Balm Garden complex, will be preserved.

The Government has reached an agreement with the owner and developer of the Tiger Balm Garden complex to preserve the Haw Par Mansion and its private garden in the re-development scheme of the complex.

A spokesman for the Home Affairs Bureau said the Mansion and the private garden would be surrendered to the Government and declared as a monument under the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance.

"The preservation is achieved through the joint effort of the Home Affairs Bureau, the Planning and Lands Bureau, the Lands Department and Leisure and Cultural Services Department, and the cooperation of the developer. The Government will retain an invaluable historic building for the benefit of the whole community," he said.

The spokesman said the future use of the Mansion was being examined and the Government intended to put the Mansion to an appropriate public use through joint venture with the private sector.

The Mansion is one of the very few remaining private residences of 1930s, built in Chinese Renaissance Style with a unique mixture of the prevailing Chinese and Western ideas in artistic decoration.

Situated in Tai Hang Road on Hong Kong Island, the Tiger Balm Garden complex comprises the Tiger Balm Garden, the Mansion and its private garden. It was constructed in 1935 by Mr. Aw Boon-haw, a wealthy philanthropist in South-east Asia who was also known as the inventor of Tiger Balm Ointment.

In July 1999, the owner of the complex submitted a land exchange application to redevelop the site. The redevelopment proposal required the demolition of the entire complex.

In view of its historical and architectural merits, as well as the rarity and integrity of the Mansion, the Antiquities Advisory Board recommended its preservation in-situ.

After negotiations with the owner, the Government has succeeded in preserving the Mansion which will be fully restored after it has been surrendered to the Government.

End/Friday, July 20, 2001

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