Centaline Property Agency recorded 11 secondary market transactions at 10 blue-chip housing estates at the weekend - down by 50 percent on the previous week due to tightened distancing rules.
Of the estates, there were no deals recorded at Taikoo Shing in Quarry Bay and Metro City in Tseung Kwan O.
In Lai Chi Kok, a 1,294-square-foot flat at Mei Foo Sun Chuen changed hands for HK$24 million, or HK$18,547 per sq ft, after HK$1.8 million was slashed from the asking price.
But the per-square-foot price hit a new high at the estate, according to Midland Realty.
In Sha Tin, a 515-sf flat at City One Shatin fetched HK$7.7 million, or HK$14,951 psf, after HK$800,000 went off the asking price.
And in Hung Hom a HK$700,000 cut on the price moved a 755-sq-ft flat at Whampoa Garden for HK$10.8 million, or HK$14,305 psf.
In the office market, the vacancy rate of grade A office buildings on Hong Kong Island rose to 9.11 percent in November, according to Centaline Commercial.
Of five core districts - Causeway Bay, Wan Chai, Central, Sheung Wan and Admiralty - Wan Chai saw the highest vacancy rate last month at 10.3 percent.Only Admiralty's rate declined. The vacancy rate in Central rose to 7.8 percent in November, Wan Chai was up to 10.3 percent, while in Admiralty it dipped to 9.7 percent.
The government announced on Friday the launch of the open tender for disposal of site 3 of the New Central Harbourfront. The tender invitation will close on June 18.
The commercial plot, with a site area of 516,312 sf and a floor area of about 1.84 million square feet, was valued at between HK$37 billion and HK$75.56 billion, or HK$23,000 and HK$41,000 per buildable square foot.
Instead of the conventional cash tender, the government is opting for a "two-envelope" bidding process, which entails a financial and a design proposal.
Only a premium proposal that is not lower than the reserve predetermined price will be accepted.
Secretary for Development Michael Wong Wai-lun noted in February that the site is a very "strategic."
"Design is one of the key considerations," Wong said. "We are not overly concerned about the premium amount."
Tai Koo Shing was one of two estates that didn't see any deals at all.
