Tai Kwun is a masterstroke for architects Herzog de Meuron. The Swiss studio has thoughtfully restored the sixteen heritage buildings in the compound and successfully added two boxy, dramatic new buildings that poke over the old Victoria Prison walls. Inside Tai Kwun, all of these spaces are linked by elegant walkways and sculptural concrete staircases. This mixture of old and new—framed by the backdrop of Central's skyscrapers—is sure to make Tai Kwun a hit with both architecture fans and casual visitors. 

Several prominent restaurateurs and dining groups are opening spaces in Tai Kwun. Entrepreneur Yenn Wong is behind a casual restaurant called Old Bailey, which showcases cuisine from China's Jiangnan region; the restaurant group French Creations is opening a new concept called Café Claudel; and Kee Club’s Christian Rhomberg is opening an 8,000-square-foot restaurant called Madame Fu, to name just three of the options.

See also: The New Restaurants Opening At Tai Kwun You Need To Know

Throughout the year, a variety of site-specific performing arts shows will be presented around Tai Kwun. To mark the opening, Tai Kwun has partnered with Le French May and La Compagnie des Quidams to present Dreamlike Horses, a show featuring enormous, inflatable puppets. Elsewhere on the site, the Yat Po Singers, Hong Kong's first and leading a capella group, present This Victoria Has No Secrets, a musical journey inspired by Victoria Harbour.

Dreamlike Horses and This Victoria Has No Secrets are on from May 29—June 3.

The Tai Kwun complex is not a private development—it's been designed and restored for the public. Open from 11am to 11pm every day, Tai Kwun provides some much-needed public space in the heart of Central. Want to learn more about Tai Kwun? Finally, you can now go and see it for yourself. 

 For more information, visit taikwun.hk