Tai Kwun Centre for Heritage and Arts 大館
Hong Kong's cultural heart
Nestled in the heart of Central, Tai Kwun is Hong Kong’s largest heritage conservation and adaptive reuse project, a HK$ 3.8 billion (£380 million) endeavour that has breathed new life into the city's past. What was once a symbol of authority is now a place of creativity, dialogue, and community, welcoming residents and visitors alike into its courtyards, galleries, and performance spaces.
Since 2008, we have worked with The Hong Kong Jockey Club as conservation architect for Tai Kwun - the remarkable transformation of Hong Kong’s former Central Police Station, Central Magistracy, and Victoria Prison. Once a closed-off colonial-era compound, this historic site has been reimagined as Tai Kwun, a vibrant Centre for Heritage and Arts that’s now proudly recognised with RIBA International and UNESCO Asia-Pacific awards.
As incumbent conservation architect, we provided a full suite of services, including a conservation management plan (CMP), masterplan, scoping repairs and statutory compliance upgrades, as well as designing modern day facilities within the historic buildings to ensure their fitness for purpose associated with the planned change of use.
Our role continued post-completion, supporting ongoing site management and upkeep of the historic buildings. Shifting from revitalisation to operation, since 2019, we have provided ongoing consultancy services including for further updates to the CMP, undertaking periodic inspections, scoping and overseeing targeted repair packages, as well as assisting tenants with planned fitouts.
This landmark transformation balanced the conservation of layered history with a viable future vision. Working alongside the international design team, our role has been central to ensuring authenticity while enabling meaningful change. Integral to this highly collaborative project was the relationships between Purcell (Conservation Architect); Herzog & de Meuron (Design Architect); and RDA (Executive Architect).
Complex heritage, ambitious vision
The six-acre site comprises 16 historic buildings within three Declared Monuments. These structures span nearly 170 years of civic history, their architectural layers reflecting Hong Kong’s development and colonial past. Realising their potential required extensive research and sustained collaboration with local authorities, statutory bodies, and skilled craftspeople, as well as an imaginative design team.
Our conservation strategy combined restoration with carefully considered interventions.
Traditional techniques and materials were used wherever possible, with like-for-like replacements maintaining the integrity of original fabric. At the same time, contemporary engineering systems – including fire protection, mechanical services, and lighting – were sensitively integrated to support sustainable reuse. The project has achieved a Gold rating under BEAM Plus New Buildings V1.1.
In numbers
3.6m
visitors in its first year open
$3.8b
HKD was total cost of the major transformation
200+
local craftspeople contributed to the works
Reconnecting the city
Originally designed to control and contain, the site’s transformation into a public destination demanded a fundamental shift in its relationship with the city. Selective, sensitively made alterations were made to open up routes through the site, to enhance key vistas, and reinforce areas of public open space within the heart of the city. Entrances were reconfigured to improve links to the wider area, including a new footbridge linked to the iconic Mid-Levels Escalator.
A curated system of wayfinding and access re-integrated Tai Kwun into the urban fabric, ensuring it became a familiar and functional part of everyday city life.
– UNESCO Award Jury
Sensitive adaptation
Historic buildings were retained and adapted with care, while two contemporary structures by Herzog & de Meuron introduced new capacity for art and performance. These bold additions respect and enhance the historic context, reinforcing the site’s dual identity as a cultural landmark and heritage asset.
Tai Kwun has played a critical role in reviving traditional skills. Over 200 local craftspeople contributed to the works, with training programmes supporting the regeneration of colonial-era techniques that were in danger of disappearing. In a city often defined by rapid change, Tai Kwun stands out in Asia’s World City for its commitment to continuity and craft.
Since opening in 2018, Tai Kwun welcomed more than has welcomed more than 20m visitors up to early 2025. Its extensive programme of exhibitions, performances, and education has cemented its role as a vital cultural venue. The site also supports a school outreach and university teaching programmes where its legacy as a conservation exemplar continues to be shared.
Team
- Mark Goldspink Chief Executive
- Gary Sparrow Partner
- Tracey Skovronek Managing Director
- Steve Phillips Partner
- Jack Chui Senior Architectural Conservationist
Details
- Client The Hong Kong Jockey Club
- Team Hong Kong Studio
- Country Hong Kong
- Photography Tai Kwun
Awards
- RIBA International Award Won 2021
- HKICON: Conservation Award (Revitalisation Category) Won 2019
- UNESCO AP Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation (Award for Excellence) Won 2019
- HKIA Special Architectural Award: Heritage and Adaptive Re-use Won 2019
- HKIA Merit Award of Hong Kong Won 2019
- The Hong Kong Green Building Council Green Building Award Won 2019
- Quality Building Award – Hong Kong Building (Renovation/Revitalisation) Won 2020
