Hanoi City set a deadline to complete the demolition of the "Shark Jaw" building (Dong Kinh - Nghia Thuc Square area) before April 30 and before September 2, 2025 for the area east of Hoan Kiem Lake.

According to the People's Committee of Hoan Kiem district, the total expected area of ​​the area Dong Kinh - Nghia Thuc Square is about 1.2 hectares, bordered by Hang Gai and Cau Go streets to the north, Hoan Kiem Lake to the south, Hoan Kiem Lake to the east, and Hong Van - Long Van building to the west. This area has the "Shark Jaw" building managed and operated by Hanoi Transport Corporation (Transerco) with a land area of ​​about 390m2 and 1,600m2 of usable floor space.

The area east of Hoan Kiem Lake has a total expected area of ​​about 2.14 hectares, with the western boundary bordering Hoan Kiem Lake and Dinh Tien Hoang Street, the northern boundary bordering the existing residential area, the eastern boundary bordering Ly Thai To Street and the southern boundary bordering Tran Nguyen Han Street.

The current situation of the area east of Hoan Kiem Lake has about 54 land and house owners, including 12 organizations, agencies and units: Department of Culture and Sports, Hanoi Electricity Corporation, Institute of Literature, Hanoi Population Department, Hanoi Blind Association, State Treasury Office, Electricity Hotel, Northern Electricity Corporation, Power Transmission Company No. 1, City Citizen Reception Office and 2 Cooperatives which are currently specialized houses. In addition, there are 42 households.

The project is implemented with medium-term public investment capital, divided into 2 phases. Phase 1: site clearance and investment in construction of the above-ground part of the square; Phase 2: implementation of investment in construction of the underground part.

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Hoan Kiem Lake will have a more open and modern appearance after the demolition of the "Shark Jaw" building. Photo: Thach Thao

In the latest report of the Hanoi Party Committee sent to the Standing Committee of the City Party Committee on the implementation of research, planning, investment in renovating and embellishing a number of squares and public spaces in Hoan Kiem district, a plan was proposed.

Accordingly, Hanoi will demolish the "Shark Jaw" building; research and propose to arrange 3 basements in the existing square area and expanded space (after demolishing the "Shark Jaw" building) to arrange cultural and commercial space in basement 1, parking area in basements 2,3). In case there is no parking arrangement, it can be used as a dual-use space.

The Hanoi People's Committee also emphasized that the process of studying the space organization plan for Dong Kinh - Nghia Thuc Square will specifically consider the organization of space, the entrance and exit to the basement, traffic organization solutions, and landscape for surrounding areas and works. The plan for the location of the stage, the stands, the location of the "light tower", the plan for the arrangement of trees, etc. are also being studied.

The Hanoi People's Committee assigned Hoan Kiem District to organize the master plan in parallel with the establishment of a separate urban design (based on the concept plan and solutions for organizing architectural and landscape space) to serve as the basis for implementing the investment project to renovate, embellish and reconstruct the space of Dong Kinh - Nghia Thuc Square.

Hoan Kiem Lake will have open space and modern design.

Mr. Trinh Hoang Tung, Vice Chairman of Hoan Kiem District People's Committee, said that according to the plan, the site clearance for the "Shark Jaw" building will be completed before April 30, 2025 and the area east of Hoan Kiem Lake will be completed before September 2, 2025.

The Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Hoan Kiem District hopes that after the renovation, Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square and the area around Hoan Kiem Lake will have open space, modern design, including both above-ground and underground spaces, better meeting the needs of organizing cultural and artistic activities serving the community.

Agreeing with this view, speaking with VietNamNet, Dr. Architect Dao Ngoc Nghiem, former Vice President of the Vietnam Urban Planning and Development Association, said that considering expanding public space around Hoan Kiem Lake is extremely necessary. Since 1995, the expansion of Hoan Kiem Lake space has been proposed to create connections with surrounding areas.

And now, Hanoi is determined to do this, returning to Hoan Kiem Lake its inherent values ​​after a long time of suffering too much urban pressure.

According to the architects, the renovation and refurbishment will not only boldly demolish the "shark jaw" building but also demolish a few other buildings if they are deemed unsuitable, giving Hoan Kiem Lake a friendly, intimate space, an open space, a space that is truly solemn, historical and cultural.