Blue House, currently the IAS headquarters
Former horse stable and municipal kennel
For the first time, the Cultural Affairs Bureau has launched an evaluation of a group of cultural heritage sites. The future development of these ancient buildings will be legally binding if consensus over their cultural significance is reached, according to a media briefing yesterday afternoon. Some of the buildings were previously slated to be demolished or were even partially destroyed.
Four temples dedicated to the god of land in Chinese culture, scattered across the central part of the Macau peninsula towards the Inner Harbor, are on the list for the appraisal that involves a public consultation to take place later this month.
Chong Sai Pharmacy, said to be Sun Yat Sen’s former workplace, is another Chinese-style relic to be evaluated. The remaining buildings are western constructions, including three different sections of remaining city wall from the past, General Ye Ting’s Former Residence, a municipal horse stable and the adjacent kennel, Social Welfare Bureau (IAS)’s current headquarters and a house that has already been partially torn down.
The prospect of demolishing the three-story yellow house, situated at the intersection of the R. da Barca and R. de
General Ye Ting former residency
Building on Manuel de Arriaga Street, n.º 28
Manuel de Arriaga has always generated controversy. The building has lost its attic section due to an error last year when the architectural authorities approved the owner’s request for the attic to be demolished. However, the demolishment was eventually forced to a halt due to public opposition.
If it were listed as a building to be protected after the one-year appraisal, the proprietor would be obligated to restore the lost part with the cultural authorities’ technological support if necessary, the bureau’s president, Ng Vai Meng, said.
The bureau will not offer any funding, except for a scenario in which the property owner objects to restoration on his own, in which case the related expenditure would be pursued afterwards.
Chong Sai pharmacy
The pharmacy, in which Sun Yat-Sen allegedly spent part of his life, cost the government MOP36 million in its acquisition in 2011.
In 2006, The IAS’s chief office, known as “Blue House” in Cantonese, almost got torn down after the then-president, Ip Peng Kin, voiced his strong support for the building’s demolition, arguing that it was not among the official cultural heritage sites at the time. However, the desire to tear it down was later quelled following a surge of public objection.
From December 28 until February 25 citizens will be able to share their opinion in a public consultation session on the inclusion of ten iconic buildings in Macau’s cultural heritage list. AU
Foc Tac Chi Temple, Bairro da Horta da Mitra
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