The Government today launched an open tender for the disposal of Lot No. 953 in Demarcation District No. 89 at Sandy Ridge, North District. The tender invitation will close on December 31.

The site is situated in the Northern Metropolis and is adjacent to Lo Wu. With an area of approximately 116,365sq m, it has been rezoned for “Other Specified Uses”, specifically “Innovation & Technology” (I&T), and designated for the development of a data facility cluster and related industrial purposes.

The maximum gross floor area that may be attained is 250,000sq m, and no less than 70% of the gross floor area must be dedicated to high-tier data centre use.

The Innovation, Technology & Industry Bureau said that it hopes to attract capable investors to develop Sandy Ridge into an advanced data facility cluster, with a view to driving I&T development in Hong Kong.

It elaborated that specific provisions have been included in the tender documents to ensure that the site will be primarily used for a data facility cluster. A two-envelope approach will also be adopted in order to enable a comprehensive evaluation.

Under this arrangement, a weighting of 70% will be allocated to assessment of the non-premium proposal, and 30% to the premium proposal. Tenders must also comply with the requirements relating to both non-premium and premium aspects as specified in the tender documents.

Moreover, the successful tenderer will be required to enter into a service deed with the Government. This will incorporate commitments made in the tender with regard to the Government’s monitoring of the tender’s implementation.

Land sale documents are now available on the Lands Department’s website. Hard copies of the sale plan may also be purchased at the Survey & Mapping Office, Lands Department, 6th Floor, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point, from today until the close of the tender. Details of the tender have been published in the Government Gazette today.