Some key facts:
West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD) covers 40 hectares of reclaimed land.
The area is currently planned to house 5 cultural venues, 2 parks and a waterfront promenade. It will be one of the largest cultural hubs in the world.
WKCD is a government-managed entity, chaired by the Hon. Henry Tang Ying-yen.
The project is estimated to cost a total of HK$29 billion, excluding the Palace Museum.
M+ Museum façade houses the world’s largest LED screen dedicated to present digital works from artists.

Why the creation of a new cultural district?
A 1996 survey by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) reported that Hong Kong was perceived by tourists as lacking cultural opportunities. An opinion shared by the inhabitants. It was also emphasized by the growing artistic community that the current facilities were not enough to house all performing groups or exhibitions. Therefore, to fill the needs from both the audience and the arts professionals, as well as to enhance Hong Kong’s status in Asia, it was proposed to create and develop, on reclaimed land by the spectacular waterfront of Victoria Harbour, the largest cultural district in the region.

Art Park – Photo WKCD

What will WKCD offer?
Once fully completed, the newly developed district will be offering world-class facilities for visual, multimedia and performing arts, as well as outdoor facilities with a spectacular view on Hong Kong island and Victoria Harbour:

• • M+ (opening on 12 November 2021): Dedicated to design, popular culture, moving images and visual arts, the museum will present the largest permanent collection of contemporary Chinese artists in the world amongst its over 50,000 artworks and archives. M+ will also host world-class temporary exhibitions in its 17,000 sq. ft. and will house a podium garden with views over the district, restaurants and archives.
  • Hong Kong Palace Museum (open in mid-2022): dedicated to the study and appreciation of Chinese art and culture, the Museum will offer 7,800sq. ft. of temporary exhibitions and educational programmes, with unprecedented loans by the Palace Museum of Beijing and its own collection.
  • Xiqu Centre (open): located on the eastern edge of the district, just across the speed-train railway station, the centre is built in a contemporary shape reminiscent of the traditional Chinese lanterns and symbolising the always evolving nature of the arts. The Grand Theatre (1,075 seats) as well as the Tea House Theatre (200 seats) have been specially designed to host the celebrated arts of Xiqu (traditional Chinese opera) whether spectacular or in more intimate formats. Its large atrium also hosts small exhibitions or demonstrations perfect to get familiar with this historical yet very alive performing art.
  • Freespace (open): with its Box (450 seats), its studios and outdoor areas, this is the perfect venue to discover all forms of performances, from contemporary ballet to multimedia concerts and happenings. With an ongoing programme, including outdoor festivals in the park, the Freespace allows for surprises and discoveries.
  • Lyric Theatre (planned to open in 2023): with its 1,450 seats grand theatre, medium theatre (600 seats) and studio (250 seats), the Lyric Theatre will be THE place for large-scale ballets, operas and other grand performances. It will complete the offer of the Cultural Centre and City Hall currently used at full capacity and allow for larger forms and more international programmes.

The Freespace – Photo WKCD

What is great to note, particularly at a time of travel restrictions, is that WKCD, more than a cultural district, is becoming for Hongkongers a new destination, mixing eateries, cultural and outdoor activities. The site is now offering a “smart bike” sharing programme to enjoy the seaside, and is even proposing a “pet zone” where the animals can play freely.

Chronology:
WKCD frequently made the headlines since the project started, whether related to the change of directory or the extra costs for the constructions of the building, but here are a few of the important milestones to overview the project:

• 1998: announcement of the project by CE Tung Chee-Hwa in its policy address: WKCD was born as “the Hub for Culture and Arts in Asia”.
• 2001-2005: a design competition for the entire district is launched. Winning project is by award-winning firm Foster and Partners and encompasses a giant canopy to cover a large part of the area. The selected project is widely critised during the public consultations and is abandoned.
• 2006: a larger Consultation Committee is created with two public engagement phases, including large consultations of future shareholders. Three new conceptual plans by Foster & partners, internationally famed Rem Koolheas and Hong Kong-based Rocco Yim firms are submitted to the consultation. The proposal by Foster & Partners is selected again and phase 1-construction is targeted to be completed by 2015 for HK$21.6 billion.
• 2012: collector Ulli Sigg donates to M+ 1,463 works of Chinese contemporary art, considered as part of the most important collection of such works in the world.
• 2013: Herzog & De Meuron and TFP Farrells are awarded the design and construction of the M+ Museum, for a budget of US$642 million.
• 2016: after some internal turmoil, first work starts on October 2016 for the Art Park to later house the Free Space and M+ pavilion.
• 2016 September: M+ Pavilion, the first building of the site, opens with an exhibition of Hong Kong artist Tsang Kin-wah “Nothing”.
• 2016: the construction of the Hong Kong Palace Museum in the WKCD is announced. Architect Rocco Yim is awarded the design of the project. The HK Jockey Club supported the construction with a donation of HK$3.5 billion.
• 2018: Opening of the Xiqu Centre at the eastern edge of the District.
• 2019: opening of the Freespace in the Art Park.
• 2020: Physical completion of the M+ building, with moving-in of collections and personnel.
• 2021: Opening of M+ Museum to the public
• 2022: Planned opening of the Hong Kong Palace Museum to the public
• 2023: Planned opening of the Lyric Theatre to the Public

All details and updates on www.westkowloon.hk