Tai Kwun is the former Central Police Station Complex, and now has been revitalized into a historical and art performing centre. It is the biggest restoration project taken in Hong Kong, with over $3.8 billion investment by the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
Official Homepage of Tai Kwun
https://www.taikwun.hk/en/
Tai Kwun comprises of three declared monuments, the former Central Police Station, Central Magistracy and Victoria Prison. There are two new structures, JC Cube and JC Contemporary, in Tai Kwun for holding art exhibitions and theatre performances and bring vibrant colours to the old historical compound.
Heritage in Tai Kwun
There are six heritage storytelling spaces - Police Headquarters Block (Block 01) about the Story of CEntral Politce Station, Barrack Block (Block 03) about the Main Heritage Gallery, Central Magistracy (Block 09), B Hall (Block 12) about the Life in Vitoria Prison, D Hall (Block 14) about Prison Meals and F Hall (Block 17) about Prisoner Admission.
Magistrate's House with jail blocks were the first building in the Compound built in 1841. The compound was closed in 2006 with the decommissioned of Victoria Prison. The Hong Kong government partnered with the Hong Kong Jockey Club to revitalize compound in 2008.
Architecture and Conservation
Architecture
A Hall Yard: barbed wire and glass shards enclosed by high boundary walls to provide additional security and prevent escapes as the Prison is near the residential neighbourhoods
Barrack Block: Addition of the Fourth Storey built in 1905 due to increased number of police and housing, with Western colonnades against Chinese-style roof tiles
D Hall:
- Radial-Plan Prison built between 1858-1862, with five wings projecting from a Central Inspection Hall allowing guards to monitor multiple prison blocks at the same time
- The Sally Port and Red Circle often found in prison as a secure controlled entry point. Only one prisoners was allowed to step inside the red circle
Conservation
Police headquarters Block: Strengthening the Staircase Balustrade (balustrades of the stairs were lower than the height for handrailed stated in the current building code)
Superintendent's House: Mural Conservation (The entry way to Victoria Prison and its Superintendent's House was sealed and the space was converted into a Chapel. The revitalized work have recurring motifs of cross potent, a symbol frequently found in Roman Catholic churches)
The favourite part I like the most is the integration of architectural style of both odd (halls and quarters) and new buildings (especially for the contemporary art museum) and the public space near the abultion block for performing arts.
However, it's a pity that the adaptive use of luxury restaurants in Barrack Block makes the visitors inaccessible to the inner decorations of Tai Kwun.
Address: 10 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong
Opening Hours: 10am-11pm (Tai Kwun Site), 10am -8om (Visitor Centre)
Comments