Building for the future: An artist's sketch of the new Arsenal House that will soon house the Police Headquarters.

Completion and occupation of the new Arsenal House Police Headquarters and the Central District & Divisional Headquarters later this year will bring to fruition more than seven years of detailed planning and development.

The new complex will be named Arsenal House, with the existing Arsenal House being renamed Arsenal House East Wing.

The new Arsenal House is an excellent example of the way in which the force has strived to ensure this purpose-built complex will be a prestigious yet dignified building that will serve its needs for decades to come.

A contemporary vision

It is a modern building that fuses design and functionality with the latest information technology. The overall guiding principle has been to enhance the force's service to the public.

The latest environmental energy-saving devices have been built into the complex, such as infrared presence sensors in offices to control lights and air conditioning.

Information technology applications provide video-conferencing, computer flooring and relocatable partitions, which will allow for the flexible use of space, and enhance working efficiency and cost effectiveness.

A minimalist approach has been taken with subtle landscaping features, in line with the design and fittings in the complex.

The new complex consists of three main structures, which are physically integrated as one building, but marshalled separately with a strategic centrally controlled security system.

The complex consists of a 42-storey high tower block, which will house Police Headquarters' major formations, a lower block which will house common facilities like the force library and various public interface offices, an example of which is the Police Licensing Office. Finally another 14-storey block will accommodate the Central District & Divisional Headquarters.

There are four basement levels, which combine vehicle parking with functional aspects like plant rooms. The new development will be linked with Arsenal House - to be re-named Arsenal House East Wing - and Arsenal House West Wing, by a footbridge and new integrated staff entrances.

User friendly with easy access

The complex includes a multi-purpose hall which will seat 200 people and have video and audio links to other facilities within the building.

A 300-seat auditorium will also be provided, fitted with simultaneous interpretation capabilities in addition to video/audio links. The force library and resource centre will have audio/visual booths and rooms.

A Police Public Relations Branch press briefing and display area, the Roll of Honour, an indoor firing range, a ceremony area, and catering facilities will all be included in the new Arsenal House.

Access will be available from Arsenal Street for vehicles and pedestrians, Harcourt Road for vehicles only, and Harcourt Garden for pedestrians only. Harcourt Road will be the main vehicle entrance.

The public will access the building from Arsenal Street by staircase or an escalator, taking them to the lift lobby or the Central Division report room. Public interface offices like the Shroffs Office, Crime Prevention Bureau, Licensing and Central Traffic Prosecution Bureau enquiry offices, are all co-located on the lower floors to provide ease of access for the public.

Final touch-ups

A series of interface works and some post-contract works will start after the Architectural Services Department hands over the new Police Headquarters later this month.

The works involve the modification of the Arsenal House entrance and will include the construction of an escalator to allow a connection to the link bridge of the new complex; and modification of the lift lobby and entrance after the new staff entrances become operational.

As some existing facilities in Arsenal House fall within some of the interface areas, works will be arranged to relocate some facilities before the interface works commence. Most interface works will not start until May.

Staff will move into the new complex in phases from August, by which time internal fitting out works will be complete.

Once the new Arsenal House is fully operational, towards the end of 2004 or early 2005, the complex will enhance the level of service provided to the public.