Tai Kwun (大館)

Background

The Center for Heritage and Arts in Hong Kong, or Tai Kwun, is a place to go for inspiration, excitement, and enjoyment. It strives to provide the best heritage and artistic experiences and to increase community awareness of and respect for history, performing arts, and contemporary art. Additionally, it intends to preserve and revitalize the structures that make up the historic Central Police Station compound, which is one of Hong Kong's most important regeneration initiatives.

Historical value

Tai Kwun is the greatest historic building restoration project in Hong Kong and was created from the former Central Police Station Compound (CPS Compound), which was constructed between 1841 and 1925. The Central Police Station, the Central Magistracy, and the Victoria Prison are three designated monuments that collectively house 16 former law enforcement and judicial structures in Tai Kwun. The Central Police Station is one of the earliest buildings constructed during British colonial control, and it has a long history that dates to the middle of the 19th century. When the former Central Police Station, Central Magistracy, and Victoria Prison were added to the list of Declared Monuments in 1995, its value was formally acknowledged.

The change of ancient and the present

The compound continued to change over time. After the Central Magistracy was shut down in 1979, the structure was altered to become the Supreme Court Annex in 1980. Correctional services started focusing heavily on rehabilitation. In 1984, Bauhinia House, a former watchtower from the nineteenth century, was transformed into a halfway house for female offenders who were under surveillance.

When the former Central Police Station, the Central Magistracy, and the Victoria Prison were designated as Monuments in 1995, Tai Kwun's significance was formally acknowledged.