Cheeky new owner of house hulks prices them at $30 million and builds road that may be dodgy

^{The derelict hulks in Shan Lui on the market for $30 million}

The new owner of the Tai Wan, Sai Kung, development derelict for 23 years, has splashed white paint on the house hulks and put them on the market. BUZZ spoke to Tracy Leung of the Midland Realty agency handling the sales. She said the asking price for each shell — that’s all they are — is about $30 million. First floor is approximately $9 million, second floor also $9 million and the third floor $12 million. Tracy said prices are negotiable.

^{The LandsD map showing the houses, without any road access}

The previous owner(s) of the development have never been able to sell the units because there is no road access. You have to walk about 500 yards up steps and a sloping concrete path to reach the hulks. The new owner has cheekily built a road up to Shan Liu village by widening the path. This road is not yet completed — earth-moving machines are on the site. Lands Department has ruled it an illegal construction and halted work on it. BUZZ has covered this in previous stories. The legal process is ongoing.

^{The half-built access road is shown on the left of this photo}

^{The access road now blocked by LandsD, which has declared it an illegal construction}

BUZZ asked Tracy for the name of the new owner’s company. She said it is based in the British Virgin Islands and you have to deal through a solicitor.

^{The hastily built brick walls dividing the units into small rooms}

^{Construction ongoing inside the units}

The biggest attraction of the hulk houses is their stunning view across the sea and islands. The new owner has done almost nothing inside except for some brick walls framing tiny rooms. It is likely official disapproval will be made known about the new road once the bureaucrats figure what’s going on. But the development may be attractive to well-heeled young couples for whom the 500 yard uphill path is a doddle.

^{The stunning views from the balconies}