Online booking available from 10 May for late-May visits  

The last week of May will see a major milestone for heritage and arts in Hong Kong. The revitalised Central Police Station compound, the largest heritage project in Hong Kong, will open its doors to the public as Tai Kwun - Centre for Heritage and Arts.

Involving the conservation and revitalisation of 16 heritage buildings, and the development of two new buildings to provide space for art exhibitions and performances, this large-scale heritage and arts project has been led by The Hong Kong Jockey Club in partnership with the Government of the Hong Kong SAR.

Reflecting on the achievement, the Club's Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges said: "We have preserved one of Hong Kong's largest and most important heritage sites, and created a valuable asset for our community. In doing so we have gained valuable experience which will benefit other heritage projects in Hong Kong."

Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges noted that when the Central Police Station compound closed in 2006, the Government decided that this prime location in the heart of Central should be preserved as a public space for the benefit of all. The Club shared the government's view and was keen to give its support: arts, culture and heritage being a key area of strategic focus for the Club's charitable donations.

To achieve this objective, the Club was determined to adhere to the highest standards, even if this involved significant additional investment.

International experts were engaged, supported by Hong Kong professionals. The lead designer, Herzog & de Meuron, had previously worked on Tate Modern in London, while Purcell, the heritage architect, had worked on St Paul's Cathedral in London. 

Restoration plans were developed for each of the 16 heritage buildings, all of which were found to be in a much poorer state of repair than originally anticipated. Work was carried out with the utmost care, building-by-building, room-by room. Where possible, the original materials were restored and reinstated. Where not, replacements were fabricated that were as close to the originals as possible.

Two new buildings - JC Contemporary and JC Cube – were conceived to house an art gallery and performance space respectively. They were carefully designed to reflect the existing fabric of the site while also being distinctive, setting up a dialogue between old and new.

 "To accomplish the vision, to adhere to the principles of best practice, and to ensure world-class quality, our Board of Stewards was willing to commit a significant investment. To date we have invested HK$3.8 billion. We believe it is a worthwhile investment considering the value this asset will bring to our community for decades to come.

"Now, with the platform in place we are preparing for the next stage of the project – the opening of Tai Kwun - Centre for Heritage and Arts. This will focus on the three pillars of heritage, contemporary art and performing arts. In support of its programming and operations, the Club has earmarked significant funds over the next two years," said Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges.

Rich programme of tours, exhibitions and performances 

Looking forward to the opening of Tai Kwun, Leong Cheung Executive Director, Charities and Community at the Club explained there would be a wide choice of offerings, including heritage tours, art tours, performances and exhibitions.

"Tai Kwun will offer a wide range of heritage and arts activities and programmes aimed at enriching the cultural life of Hong Kong. Tai Kwun perfectly embodies the Club's values of serving the community and continuous development as well as our commitment to upholding the highest standards," said Mr Cheung.

Visitors can learn about the historic site and its relationship with its neighbourhood at the "100 Faces of Tai Kwun" multi-media exhibition, which features anecdotes shared via videos, radio drama and audio-visual interactive devices. There will also be guided tours and exhibitions throughout the compound, telling the stories of the site and the people who have lived or worked there.

A strong cast of exciting local and international artists will headline the two opening contemporary art exhibitions. Both shows are inspired by the rich heritage that underpins the site and the surrounding Central district. Taking centre stage is a debut exhibition by emerging artist Wing Po So, who was raised in the area that is now known as SOHO. She delves into Chinese medicine, pharmacology and science in her artworks to engage in an archaeological exploration of materiality and history in Hong Kong. Featuring an international mix of artists, including ten from Hong Kong, the group show "Dismantling the Scaffold" is inspired by the history of the site and the sense of a new beginning.

There will also be a wide range of performances throughout Tai Kwun, including acapella singing, an air puppet show, circus acts, lunch-time concerts and film screenings.

"With the aim of nurturing local talent, Tai Kwun will create a platform for interactions between local, regional and international artists. Programming in the three fields of heritage, contemporary art and performing arts will be complemented by education and engagement programmes. All of this will contribute to a culturally vibrant Hong Kong and help enrich the quality of life of Hong Kong people," said Timothy Calnin, Director of CPS, Tai Kwun.

Opening arrangements

An opening ceremony for Tai Kwun will take place on 25 May 2018, to be followed by community days and organised visits for a limited number of visitors over the following two days. This will give Tai Kwun an opportunity to fine-tune its operation, a process which will continue through the first weeks of opening.
"During the initial opening period, we will implement access management measures to keep the number of visitors at an optimal level to facilitate a smooth visitor experience for all," said Calnin.

Beginning 10 May 2018, online booking will be accepted for the Tai Kwun Pass, which will provide access to the site from 29 May 2018 onwards.  Booking details will be available on the official website, http://taikwun.hk.  Pass-holders will be guaranteed entry to Tai Kwun.  Walk-in visitors will be welcome later in June. 

The first phase of opening includes 11 heritage buildings, the new art galleries and auditorium, and the Parade Ground and Prison Yard. The first 11 heritage buildings to open are: the Police Headquarters Block (Block 1), Barrack Block (Block 3), Ablutions Block (Block 8), Superintendent's House (Block 10), Bauhinia House (Block 19), and Halls A to F (Blocks 11-15, 17). 

Details of the opening programmes and services for visitors can be found at http://taikwun.hk.

About Tai Kwun – Centre for Heritage and Arts

“Arts, culture and heritage” is one of The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s strategic areas of charitable contribution. The Central Police Station (CPS) Revitalisation Project is the largest heritage conservation and revitalisation project undertaken by the Club and has been carried out in partnership with the Government of the HKSAR.

The CPS compound comprises three declared monuments (Central Police Station, Central Magistracy and Victoria Prison), with a total of 16 heritage buildings and some outdoors spaces, on a 13,600 square-metre site in the heart of Central. An international-grade art gallery and an auditorium have been added to contribute to the adaptive reuse of the site.

In addition to undertaking the CPS Revitalisation Project, the Club’s Charities Trust has set up The Jockey Club CPS Limited to manage and operate the site as Tai Kwun - Centre for Heritage and Arts.

Tai Kwun is the local colloquial name used by police officers and the public alike to refer to the former police headquarters and the surrounding CPS compound. The name has been adopted by The Jockey Club CPS Limited as a reminder of the historical importance of the site.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class racing club that acts continuously for the betterment of our society. The Club has a unique integrated business model, comprising racing and racecourse entertainment, a membership club, responsible sports wagering and lottery, and charities and community contribution. Through this model, the Club generates economic and social value for the community and supports the Government in combatting illegal gambling. In 2016/17, the Club’s total direct return to the community was HK$30.5 billion. It is Hong Kong's largest single taxpayer, one of the city’s major employers and one of the world's top ten charity donors. The Club is always “riding high together for a better future” with the people of Hong Kong.