Why build new HQ at Tamar?

[East_coast]

Govt confirms CGO demolition

14-06-2012
The government has confirmed that it will demolish the West Wing of the old Central Government Offices for redevelopment, despite strong objections from local and overseas conservation groups. But the Secretary for Development, Carrie Lam, said the government would retain ownership of the site, while a developer would be able to operate the new building for up to 30 years. However, the site would not be earmarked for commercial use

[MovingIn07]

good news indeed

Yup. He's an estate agent.

[dear giant]

It had to be built there to be next to the PRC military garrison so that, if necessary, HK's entire government could be rounded up and/or shot at once.

[East_coast]

I honestly thought the new Tamar Government building was built to allow Cheung Kong to build a much needed mega mall and office block in Central.

Wasn't the land taken back from Swire many many years ago due to overriding need of the people of Hong Kong and was being assigned to LKS for similar reasons but ones the government only fully understands. If there isn't going to be a mega-mall then Government employees must be wondering why they are stuck in the culture desert of Tamar Island (Designed as a virtual island by being surrounded by a moat of busy roads to keep the pesky proletariat away) rather than being in the much cooler central location.

[dear giant]

Keeping the proles away is definitely another benefit but I honestly think that the proximity of the garrison was the prime mover.

I would wager that there are other places to which the HQ could've been moved that would be difficult for protestors to march against but which would not have put it smack dab next to the barracks. When the government wants to knock some building or a whole street filled with buildings down, it finds an excuse.

If the garrison relocates to the wilds of the NT or something in the near future and the spot that it currently occupies is turned into a lambs and fluffy rabbits petting zoo for underprivileged youth, I will have been proven wrong.

Over the years, when the future move was being discussed and before any construction had been initiated, my wife and I kept waiting for some pro-dem to point out the strangeness of putting HK's government within a stone's throw of Mainland soldiers but, AFAIK, nobody did.