How to change from an office property to a hotel and obtain a license in Hong Kong?

First, we need to know whether the lease allows the hotel to be used for this purpose. Otherwise, we should apply to the Lands Department for modification of the lease terms and premium.

In addition, it depends on whether the hotel is planned as a permitted use in the outline plan. It may need to be submitted to the city planning commission for approval (such as Hopewell's giant tower project). What's more, if the hotel is not in the scope of application, it is impossible to apply to the Municipal Planning Commission for changing the land use zoning.

After solving the above problems, the office building will be transformed into a hotel, which involves a major change in the use of the building, and there will inevitably be a large number of additional construction/renovation projects. Then you have to apply to the Buildings Department for approval. At the same time, there should be many changes in the fire protection system. At the same time, the drawings of the fire protection system should be submitted to the Buildings Department for approval.

There are so many bathrooms in the hotel that the water supply facilities must be redone. The new water supply system must be approved by the Water Supplies Department. Because there are too many toilets and bathrooms, sewage discharge will increase. We should pay attention to whether the existing underground drainage pipes are enough. We must obtain the consent of the Drainage Services Department (DSD) if it involves the tailrace well of a building or the project connecting to a public canal.

In addition, when approving hotel projects, the Buildings Department will also consider whether the building is suitable for becoming a hotel, including whether it is compatible with the surrounding environment, whether it has relevant logistics support facilities, whether it has central air conditioning and hot water, whether the nearby streets are sufficient to support the traffic flow of the hotel, and whether there are corresponding parking and drop-off places. If necessary, the Department will consult other departments, such as Planning Department, Transport Department, Highways Department and Home Affairs Department.

If you can't meet * * *, it may only become a hotel. (The requirements are lower than those of hotels) ... This is very important because the development density of office buildings is higher than that of residential buildings. Hotels and guesthouses are residential buildings, and only hotels can obtain special permission to examine and approve according to the development density of non-residential buildings. However, it can be said that changing to a hotel will inevitably exceed the development density limit, which means it will not work.

After the above is completed, of course, you must apply to the Home Affairs Department for a hotel license. The department will pay attention to the structure of the building, fire safety and so on, and it is no problem to pass the checkpoint of the above department.

Finally, pay attention to the terms of the deed of mutual covenant. If you are the owner of the whole building, it is no problem to rebuild the whole building. However, if only part of the building is converted into a hotel, it depends on whether the deed of mutual covenant restricts the use of the hotel, and if necessary, the consent of other owners of the building must be obtained. Are hotels allowed?

If not, you must first obtain the consent of the planning department until you have a chance to play.

Of course, it must pass the regulations of the Fire Services Department and the Buildings Department.

Please refer to the Tourism and Hotel Industry Regulations (Chapter 349).

After everything is completed, the Licensing Office of the Home Affairs Department will consider licensing matters.