A planned border mall at San Tin will have a lifespan of just three years, it has emerged.
The highly-publicised proposed mall is intended to reduce congestion – and tensions – at border crossings between Hong Kong and the mainland, where day trippers meet traders for discounted goods.
Further details have emerged during Town Planning Board applications – the most noteworthy being the temporary nature of the project, which will give the developers three years to complete a comprehensive, long term structure to house traders and shoppers.
The temporary mall is planned for a former car park at San Tin in the northwestern New Territories.
According to media reports, the concept is the brainchild of Wong Ting-kwong who has secured land co-owned by listed Hong Kong property companies Henderson and Sun Hung Kai.
A non profit group has applied to erect a temporary mall on the 39,722 sqm site.
Documents filed by the non-profit group say it can be constructed quickly, comprising prefabricated buildings and converted shipping containers.
It would house 208 shops, half of them selling products designed or manufactured in Hong Kong.