HK$390mn cost overrun expected for LegCo expansion: sources

The construction fees of expanding the Legislative Council Complex in Admiralty will exceed the proposed budget by HK$390 million to HK$1.56 billion, according to sources. 

The expansion project came after Beijing implemented the electoral changes for Hong Kong's Chief Executive and LegCo in March last year, increasing the seats in the council from 70 to 90. 

The construction is now underway, and the project, originally budgeted at about HK$1.17 billion, is expected to be completed before mid-2025. 

Yet, the latest estimation by the Architectural Services Department said the construction will overrun the budget by HK$390 million, pumping the total cost to about HK$1.56 billion. 

It is expected that an amendment bill will be tabled by the government to the LegCo Public Works Subcommittee within this month, and the request for HK$390 million of funding will be submitted to the Finance Committee in June. 

The project will see the LegCo Complex expanding by four floors and the LegCo Garden by 10 floors, as well as the cafeteria, the children's corner, and the education activity room. 

While construction is completed, the government is renting three floors from the nearby CITIC Tower as offices for half of the lawmakers and staff of the LegCo Secretariat. The LegCo will pay the government HK$1 nominal rent in the meanwhile.