One of the most recognisable skylines in the world, Hong Kong is also home to many historical buildings which have been progressively revitalised for the past decade by the Hong Kong Government. Thanks to the “Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme” launched in 2007, which allows non-profit organisations to apply for the adaptive reuse of government-owned historical buildings to run social enterprises and to receive public funding for renovation and early operating costs, some heritage buildings have been given a new lease of life. Tai Kwun is one of them.

Surrounded by Hollywood Road, Arbuthnot Road, Chancery Lane and Old Bailey Street in Central, Tai Kwun is the Former Central Police Station Compound, built between 1841 and 1925, comprising sixteen historic buildings grouped under the former Central Police Station, the Former Central Magistracy and the Victoria Prison. The locals colloquially referred to this compound as 大館 (daai gun), which means “Big Station” and the name is now living on in its modern iteration, as a reminder of the historical importance of this living heritage site.

Photo credit: The National Archives, University of Bristol.

The compound includes some of the earliest structures built under British colonial rule, the first building being the Magistrate’s House with jail blocks, built in 1841. Over the years, the site underwent numerous expansions and reconstruction to meet the needs of Hong Kong law enforcement requirements.

In 1862, the number of prisoners had drastically increased in Victoria Prison (called Victoria Gaol), so the government developed the land nearby with a series of new compounds, and in 1864, the site began to serve the functions of police station, magistracy and prison, forming an integrated law enforcement system.

Parade ground, circa 1900. Photo Gwulo

In 1919, a new Police Headquarters Block was constructed. Its façade facing Hollywood Road was designed with details to reflect a sense of authority. From 1931 to 1933, Vietnamese leader Hồ Chí Minh was also imprisoned here. During World War II, it was occupied by the Japanese military and after the war it served as a repatriation centre for refugees.

Over the years, the compound continued to evolve. The Central Magistracy was decommissioned in 1979 and the building was converted into the Supreme Court Annex in 1980. Rehabilitation became one of the main foci of correctional services. In 1984, Bauhinia House, which had once been a watchtower in the 19th century, was converted into a half-way house for women inmates under supervision.

In 1995, Tai Kwun’s significance was officially recognised when three of its buildings, the former Central Police Station, the Central Magistracy and the Victoria Prison, were declared Monuments. The old Compound was officially decommissioned and vacated in 2006.

Two years later, the government partnered with the Hong Kong Jockey Club to preserve and revitalise the site, representing one of the most significant revitalisation projects in Hong Kong.

Collapse of the Married Police Inspector’s block

The three Declared Monuments of the compound have all been meticulously renovated and conserved for adaptive reuse, with a constant attention to authenticity. As part of the preservation efforts, some cells from the old Victoria Prison have been retained with their original numbers and locks. When historic building materials were too decomposed to preserve, the Hong Kong Jockey Club commissioned replicas. They even hired the same English factory that made the prison’s original bricks, hand-moulding them to look like the imperial bricks used in the 19th century.

The designation of Declared Monuments imposes legal restrictions on the restoration process, and this explains in part why it has taken eleven years to revitalise, with work facing a setback in 2016 when a wall and a roof collapsed. The accident was reportedly triggered by the failure of a brick pier that had been structurally undermined and a sub-contractor has been prosecuted.

Photo Chengting Xie

In parallel to the renovation work, renowned architects Herzog & de Meuron were also commissioned to design two new post-modern buildings to contrast with the existing old architecture, with the aim to respect the unique character of this cluster of relatively low-rise buildings. They designed two boxy structures, JC Contemporary and JC Cube, in black aluminium, which appear almost like they are floating above the old prison courtyard. The choice of recycled aluminium met two prime criteria: this is an inexpensive material in Hong Kong, and also it stands out from the brick and stone mainly governing the site.

Aiming at opening a space that had long been synonym with restrain and seclusion, the Hong Kong Jockey Club succeeded in creating a unique mix of heritage and contemporary architecture, along with several outdoor spaces – Parade Ground, Prison Yard and Laundry Steps – offering the perfect setting to establish a new identity for the compound, from cold prison blocks to a welcoming urban oasis.

The site finally reopened to the public in 2018 and became Tai Kwun, Centre for Heritage and Arts. Shortly after, Time listed Tai Kwun in its “World’s Greatest Places 2018” list. And in 2019, the site was awarded “Award of Excellence” from the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation.

InnerGlow (c) Jeff Cheng

Since then, it became a cultural destination offering heritage and history for the community, as well as inclusive contemporary and performing arts experiences, through thematic exhibitions and immersive public programmes.

JC Cube serves as a theatre, while JC Contemporary is a museum of contemporary art. Beneath the JC Cube, the stepped plaza Laundry Steps is dedicated to movie screenings and live performances. The Parade Ground courtyard at the lower platform is a gem for retail and dining activities, while the Prison Yard at the upper platform is the ness for venues showcasing cultural exhibitions and performances.

Tai Kwun is celebrating its 5th Anniversary in 2023, offering dedicated events and programmes. All details can be found here: TAI KWUN.