NGOs invited by govt to manage and develop Victorian-era building as unique arts and culture icons

The government on Monday invited non-profit-making organizations (NGOs) to lease part of the iconic building located on No. 2 Lower Albert Road in Central for arts and culture use.

This came after the lease on the Victorian-era building Old Dairy Farm Depot of the Fringe Club, a contemporary space for visual arts exhibitions and theatrical productions, set to expire in April next year.

All NGOs, including the current one, may submit proposals for leasing the premises (portions of the South Block basement and the whole of the ground floor, the first floor, and the roof) for arts and culture use for three years from April 1, 2024.

The selected applicant will operate, manage, maintain, and develop the premises to support the development of arts and culture, particularly programs by small and medium-sized arts groups and the youths.

Interested applicants must submit a proposal to the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau before 5.30 pm on October 20.

The grade I historic building currently houses the Fringe Club (South Block) and the Foreign Correspondents' Club (North Block).

FCC's current lease was extended until January 2026 last year, after lawmakers once urged the government to take back the site as the club invited pro-independence activist Andy Chan Ho-tin to deliver a speech at a lunch meeting in 2018.