Peter Yuen, Project Director of the Architectural Services Department, oversaw the conversion. He recalls that the major challenge was in reconciling the building's pre-existing conditions and internal structures with EMSD's stated purposes for the structure. An additional challenge was that most of those pre-existing conditions and detailed structures could only be ascertained upon a careful walk-through of the building after the hand-over, which meant that planning time was much reduced. Close communication with EMSD was essential throughout the project but particularly in the early stages when key decisions about the structure had to be made. These decisions included the dismantling of the hoist and the main partition wall, the addition of more passenger lifts and the construction of one extra floor to increase office space.

Part of EMSD's brief to the Architectural Services Department was the requirement that the new headquarters be a showcase of energy efficiency and conservation in Hong Kong. To accomplish this, Mr Yuen's team had to assume a pioneering role in a number of areas, including the installation of Hong Kong's largest solar photovoltaic system and largest water-cooled air-conditioning ammonia chiller plant. Compared to other refrigerants, ammonia has the advantage of using the least energy.