The project, which should be completed by the end of 2010, willbe constructed by one of four short-listed property joint ventures,which have to submit their final bids by the end of January. Thegovernment did not release details of who the four developersare.

The 4.2-hectare Tamar site, nestled in the heart of Hong Kong'shigh-rise Downtown area, was the former British naval base andremains a prime harbourside site. The 6,000-page tender documentspells out the government's overall design objectives as well asits architectural, structural and planning requirements.

The plan has been changed several times in an attempt to dealwith opposition from planners, developers and legislators who wantto preserve the tiny city's dwindling public spaces. The proposal,first put forward in 2003, has also been attacked byconservationists who want to convert the concrete-covered plot intoa green public park. It finally gained the legislators' approval inJune.