Impossible to fully restore Lohas Park structural wall

It is impossible to fully restore the structural wall of a Lohas Park flat after it was torn down, says the Director of Buildings, Clarice Yu Po-mei.

Yu said the overall structure of the building is not in danger as the removed part was not close to the edge of the wall, but even if the restoration was completed to meet the legal standards, the building structure might not fully recover.

"Fixing the holes can meet the legal standards. But you can't say that it will be 100 percent the same as the original."

The owner of the apartment at Lohas Park in Tseung Kwan O was ordered to repair the alleged load-bearing wall after part of it was removed during renovation.

Yu also said the removal of the structural wall may have a long-term impact on the building's structure.

Yu added that the owner has to make repairs, including reconnecting the steel bars, and the structural engineer appointed could submit a report soon.

The authorities will also examine whether the repair plan can meet legal standards, stressing that it will be approved as soon as possible. They will also consult the Department of Justice for legal advice.

The registered structural engineer appointed by the flat owner has also been ordered to assess the impact after renovation.

She also said the department has got information on the renovator and will investigate previous projects.

Yu said the structural wall could be removed if the flat is located on the highest floor of the building, but a plan must be submitted and approved by the department. Owners should contact professionals if they find the structural wall has been removed. Whether owners would be charged in this case depends on the situation and evidence, she added.

Lawmaker Louis Loong Hon-biu, from the real estate and construction sector, said the owner might know where the structural wall is by simply "hiring an experienced person to knock on the wall."

As to whether the incident will affect the price of the surrounding units, Loong said there should be no safety concerns after restoration and the price should be market-driven, but buyers might be "psychologically affected" and not buy the units.

Lawmaker from engineering sector Lo Wai-kwok said serious consequences may occur if the structural wall is damaged, as buildings in Hong Kong are generally tall and taking into account the strong winds.