The Urban Renewal Authority will start two preservation projects on Prince Edward Road West and Shanghai Street in Kowloon involving 20 pre-war veranda-type shophouses. The projects will cost $1.33 billion.

The plan is part of the expanded conservation strategy for 48 pre-war shophouses announced in March and is the largest single conservation initiative ever undertaken in Hong Kong.

Born again: An artist's impression of the 20 pre-war veranda-type shophouses on Shanghai Street and Prince Edward Road West set to be revamped.

Flower facade

Built in the 1930s the 10 four-storey shophouses at 190-204 and 210-212 Prince Edward Road West cover 1,440 square metres with 37 property interests. They are categorised as having outstanding heritage value.

Noting the site has an historical connection with the flower business and trade, authority chairman Barry Cheung said today as many of the compatible existing businesses on street level will be retained as possible.

The Antiquities Advisory Board has classified the cluster of premises at Shanghai Street as grade one historical buildings. The project will include the 10 pre-war shophouses built in the 1920s and four 1960s buildings which dissect the shophouse cluster.

"Our initial thinking is to provide the necessary building services in terms of lifts, fire escapes and disabled access for the shophouses by altering the 1960s buildings," Mr Cheung said.

Resident relocation

There are 73 households with 220 residents in the two sites' 24 buildings. Property acquisition and tenants' rehousing will cost about $1.23 billion.

There will be a public consultation exercise on the buildings' adaptive re-use. A briefing session will be held for affected owners and tenants. A notice on the project was gazetted today.

A social service team will provide counselling and assistance. For enquiries call 2588 2333 or visit the authority's Mong Kok Neighbourhood Centre (2117 8660).