The revitalisation of Central Police Station compound has taken a decade. It is now a new hub for heritage, arts and culture accessible to everyone, serving as a vibrant cultural destination in the hustling city centre.
The Central Police Station compound is now operated under a not-for-profit model as Tai Kwun – Centre for Heritage and Arts. Its 16 heritage buildings, two new buildings and two large outdoor spaces form a wide range of multi-purpose venues not only for Tai Kwun’s events, but also programmes by other organisations and artists-in-residence, enriching Hong Kong’s cultural life through collaborative efforts.
The site also features a selection of restaurants and shops that offer culturally meaningful experiences. Income from these establishments contribute to the maintenance and sustainability of the site.
In 2019, Tai Kwun received the Award of Excellence in the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation, recognising the project’s revitalisation efforts.
The former Central Police Station, the Central Magistracy and the Victoria Prison were listed as Declared Monuments.
The Central Police Station compound was fully decommissioned.
Herzog & de Meuron was appointed by The Hong Kong Jockey Club to work on a design proposal for the revitalisation of the Central Police Station; concept design work started.
The Government of Hong Kong SAR and The Hong Kong Jockey Club announced a not-for-profit plan to revitalise the Central Police Station compound.
Purcell Miller Tritton (renamed Purcell) was appointed as Conservation Architect and produced the Conservation Management Plan (CMP), which suggested an appropriate conservation and management model for the compound. In May, public consultation report on The Hong Kong Jockey Club's initial proposal was announced.
Concept design commenced in January. Rocco Design Architects was appointed as Executive Architect.
The master layout plan was approved by the Town Planning Board. In the same year, The Hong Kong Jockey Club announced that the Central Police Station compound project would be heritage-led, with effort to conserve and revitalise the historical site.
Lisa Oestreicher, an independent paint analyst, completed the Phase I Paint Research Report. In the same year, Gammon Construction Limited was appointed as Management Contractor. Pre-construction preparatory works started. Meanwhile, the Environment Resources Management (ERM) - Hong Kong Limited was appointed to carry out an archaeological study and produced an Archaeological Investigation Report, listing details of the remains of early buildings.
The Architectural Conservation Laboratory of the University of Hong Kong completed the Phase II Paint Analysis Report.
Purcell produced an Interim Review Report for CMP in order to enhance the historical research and corresponding conservation policies under the plan.
Two murals on the ground floor of the Superintendent’s House were unexpectedly revealed during paint removal work.
Designed by Herzog & de Meuron, two new buildings, an art gallery “JC Contemporary” and auditorium “JC Cube”, were completed for contemporary use. In the same year, Tai Kwun opened to public in phases.