Buildings Department launches 205 prosecutions over CK Asset's Anderson Road construction defects

The Buildings Department (BD) annnounced on Friday, it has initiated 205 prosecutions against two companies and six individuals involved in a major residential development in Kwun Tong, after an investigation revealed significant deviations from approved structural plans, including missing and misplaced steel reinforcements.

The BD launched the prosecutions following a report in August last year alleging non-compliance with the Buildings Ordinance at a construction site on Anderson Road.

The project, which includes six multi-story residential towers, was ordered to cease work immediately after the allegations surfaced.

A department spokesperson stated that subsequent inspections, carried out with the cooperation of the project’s registered structural engineer (RSE) and registered general building contractor (RGBC), uncovered “material deviations” in the installation of steel reinforcements across all six towers.

These defects included positional discrepancies, incorrect sizing, fewer reinforcements than approved, and misaligned structural columns.

Although the BD confirmed that the overall structural safety of the buildings is not compromised, it has required the RSE to submit a detailed incident report and implement necessary remedial measures.

These may include localized strengthening, partial demolition, and reinstalling steel reinforcements and recasting concrete.

Among the 205 prosecutions, 204 were initiated under Section 40(2A)(b) of the Buildings Ordinance against current and former RGBCs, their authorized signatories, and four technically competent persons.

One additional prosecution was made under Section 40(2AB) against one of the technically competent persons. If convicted, defendants face maximum penalties ranging from fines of HK$150,000 to HK$1 million and imprisonment of up to three years.

The BD emphasized its commitment to enforcing building safety standards and ensuring all works comply with statutory requirements.

In response, CK Asset acknowledges the Buildings Department’s handling of the matter and will fully support and cooperate with the relevant procedures.