Category D-1: Historical Restoration Projects
Honorable Mention
Award credit: AB Concept
Location: Hong Kong, China
Photography: Owen Raggett
The former Central Police Station stands as one of the last iconic colonial buildings that depict the rich colonial heritage of Hong Kong. Today, its cluster of buildings, together with two other monuments (former Central Magistracy and Victoria Prison) have been revitalized to form the Tai Kwun Cultural Centre for Heritage & Arts.
The expansive 7,500-square-foot venue is divided into three areas: To the left is The Chinese Library, a restaurant drawing on the rich culinary heritage of the unique mix of migrants from across China who shaped Hong Kong; to the right, in a nod to the city’s colonial past, is a British restaurant named Statement; both these venues are joined in the center by a classic lounge bar, The Dispensary.
As they arrive, guests ascend the original grand, iron-balustrade stairs past soaring double-story circular windows to an ornate reception area on the first floor of the building. Beautifully appointed plaques feature backlit police badges that remind of the building’'s history and evoke the atmosphere of the former police headquarters.
In a true East-meets-West fashion, Statement is a British contemporary establishment that pays more than a passing nod to Hong Kong’'s colonial heritage, but with native influences. The homage to British roots features a wooden, framed antique mirror in the form of a traditional Chinese plaque placed atop each window, while reserving the original colonial window and frame. The Chinese Library is a reflection of Hong Kong’s local migrant history, which forms Hong Kong’s unique culture, with a dash of Western cultural influence. Linking both Statement and The Chinese Library, The Dispensary is a lounge and bar that pays tribute to the building’'s law enforcement and authoritarian history. Its winter blue interior, combined with the backlit police badges, echoes the uniform color of Hong Kong’s police force.
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