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The old Tai O Police Station was built in given a new lease on life as a heritage hotel.
1902 with the purpose of combatting piracy The project is particularly commendable for
and smuggling at that time. Before 1997, its involvement of local community members
the police station was under the helm of the and former occupants of the building through
Marine Police and its officers patrolled the Tai an extensive cultural mapping effort that has
O community by sampan. It officially closed greatly informed the restoration work and
in 2002 due to the low crime rate in Tai O. helped reinvigorate the distinctive character
The building is a typical colonial-style police of the heritage property. Enhanced social
station. and economic opportunities provided by the
building’s new use ensure the long-term
Under the R-Scheme, it was revitalised into viability of this historic landmark.‘
the Tai O Heritage Hotel, a nine-suite boutique
hotel along with a Heritage Interpretation
Centre that is open to the public for free visits.
In 2013, the revitalised Old Tai O Police Station
received an Award of Merit in the UNESCO
Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage
Conservation Programme, with the following
award citation: ’Through a pioneering
public-private initiative undertaken through
the Government’s ‘Revitalising Historic
Buildings Through Partnership Scheme’, the
once abandoned Tai O Police Station has been
HONG KONG REPORT ON THE STATE OF SUSTAINABLE BUILT ENVIRONMENT 2014 79
1902 with the purpose of combatting piracy The project is particularly commendable for
and smuggling at that time. Before 1997, its involvement of local community members
the police station was under the helm of the and former occupants of the building through
Marine Police and its officers patrolled the Tai an extensive cultural mapping effort that has
O community by sampan. It officially closed greatly informed the restoration work and
in 2002 due to the low crime rate in Tai O. helped reinvigorate the distinctive character
The building is a typical colonial-style police of the heritage property. Enhanced social
station. and economic opportunities provided by the
building’s new use ensure the long-term
Under the R-Scheme, it was revitalised into viability of this historic landmark.‘
the Tai O Heritage Hotel, a nine-suite boutique
hotel along with a Heritage Interpretation
Centre that is open to the public for free visits.
In 2013, the revitalised Old Tai O Police Station
received an Award of Merit in the UNESCO
Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage
Conservation Programme, with the following
award citation: ’Through a pioneering
public-private initiative undertaken through
the Government’s ‘Revitalising Historic
Buildings Through Partnership Scheme’, the
once abandoned Tai O Police Station has been
HONG KONG REPORT ON THE STATE OF SUSTAINABLE BUILT ENVIRONMENT 2014 79
