Probe launched into luxury One Stanley project over alleged steel bar shortage

Authorities have launched a probe into the building quality of a luxury residential development in one of Hong Kong’s most expensive neighbourhoods in the Southern district after receiving a complaint from an owner that insufficient steel bars were used during construction.

The Buildings Department said on Saturday it was “very concerned about the matter” relating to One Stanley in Stanley, but stressed that its previous inspections did not find any imminent danger.

The department said it would summon meetings with the developer, contractors and other relevant parties responsible for the development.

Public concerns have been brewing since Friday after a report by the online property news platform WuChatProp alleged that an on-site inspection of a house found insufficient steel bars had been used in some parts of the property. The number fell short by as much as 75 per cent of the approved building plans, according to the report.

The property in question is a four-bedroom 3,000 sq ft house, which the owner reportedly bought in 2024 for about HK$100 million.

The irregularities were subsequently spotted by the engineers and contractors hired by the owner during internal renovation, according to the report.

The owner reported the case to the department but accused officials of inaction.

In a statement on Saturday, the department confirmed it had received a complaint about the structural safety of the floor slabs in January this year.

Officers conducted an inspection in March and determined that the overall building structure did not pose any significant danger, it said.

“The department also sent a letter requesting the project’s registered structural engineer to submit a report and relevant information, including material test reports and their certificates,” the department said.

Inspections between June and September found an area of a beam lacked the wire mesh required and that some floor slabs did not conform to the drawings.

The department was satisfied the irregularities would not “pose an obvious danger”, but said it had been monitoring the situation and further investigations were being conducted.

“The department will send letters to relevant parties, including authorised personnel of the development project, registered structural engineers, registered contractors and the developer, requesting meetings to assist in the investigation and to provide information,” it said.

The department warned that if the investigation found that any building professionals or contractors had violated the Buildings Ordinance, it “will definitely follow up in a serious manner, including prosecuting and taking disciplinary action”.

One Stanley is at No 128 Wong Ma Kok Road.

The upmarket residential development by K&K Property comprises 32 detached houses and 11 low-rise blocks containing 50 flats featuring sea views, with unit sizes ranging from about 1,800 square feet to over 7,000 square feet.

The building contractor is Treasure Construction Engineering, a wholly owned subsidiary of China State Construction Development Holdings.

The latest news posted in mid-August on K&K Property’s website said that strong sales had been registered at the project and another buyer had snapped up two “apartment units” at a total price of HK$47.4 million.

According to news reports in late August, more than 50 units had been sold.

A spokesman for K&K Property could not be reached for comment on Saturday night.