CE visits The Pokfulam Farm under Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme (with photos/video)

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, today (April 22) visited The Pokfulam Farm which had lately commenced a trial operation to learn about the revitalisation of the Old Dairy Farm Senior Staff Quarters, a Grade 1 Historic Building, under Batch IV of the Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme (Revitalisation Scheme), and the services provided by the project to the community.

Mrs Lam, accompanied by the Secretary for Development, Mr Michael Wong, visited The Pokfulam Farm. She was briefed by the representatives of Caritas – Hong Kong, responsible for taking forward the project, on the project background, particularly how the architectural features of the historic building (including the original circular ventilation windows and the fireplace) had been preserved during the revitalisation process while complying with the Fire Safety Ordinance and the prevailing requirements on barrier-free access, and how the visitor experience could be enhanced by way of design that fit into the landscape. She also talked to the residents of Pok Fu Lam Village and understood that they had been in close co-operation with Caritas – Hong Kong and took an active part in the project, ranging from planning, information-gathering to its operation, in connecting the culture and history of the Old Dairy Farm with Pok Fu Lam Village.

Mrs Lam said, "Buildings bear witness to changes of the times and reflect the trajectory of urban development. I am delighted to see that The Pokfulam Farm, with a history of over 130 years, has become another successful revitalisation project under the Revitalisation Scheme to shoulder the mission of preserving Hong Kong's legacy and keeping its history alive.

"The Government has all along been striving to make Hong Kong a more livable and charming city, striking a balance between development and conservation. Launched in 2008, the Revitalisation Scheme has played an integral role in this progress. Up till now, six batches of the Revitalisation Scheme have been successfully launched, involving a total of 22 Government-owned declared monuments and graded historic buildings. With the joint efforts of the Government and the community, we have been transforming declared monuments or historic buildings into unique cultural landmarks one after another, injecting new life into such old buildings and bringing economic and social benefits to society."

Mrs Lam expressed her sincere gratitude to the Advisory Committee on Built Heritage Conservation for assisting the Government in assessing project proposals over the years, and the non-profit organisations for their hard work in running various revitalisation projects, and added that the support of the general public for the projects had been the key driver for heritage conservation. She keenly looked forward to seeing more declared monuments and historic buildings undergoing revitalisation under the Revitalisation Scheme so as to pass on Hong Kong's unique and diversified culture in the years to come.