Arts Hub To Start Work On The Money Spinners

Officials said on Thursday that with the construction of arts facilities proceeding at full steam at the West Kowloon Cultural District, it is now time to develop the commercial elements, including a hotel and artists' hostel, to generate much-needed funds.

The Chief Executive Officer of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, Duncan Pescod, said they would soon be inviting bids from developers to build an Art, Commerce and Exhibition facility.

The centre is to sit on a 130,000 square-metre site, next to the future Hong Kong Palace Museum, and will feature a performance venue to house around 10,000 spectators, a hotel and offices, as well as retail, dining and entertainment facilities.

Pescod said he expects a lot of interest for the project.

"The feedback that we've had already from initial sounding-out is very, very positive. I think there is a lot of interest in this sort of thing," he said.

"The unique selling proposition is that it will be in the most vibrant cultural district in the world. To have that opportunity to secure a site right on the waterfront, to be immersed in the arts and culture and all those activities that will be coming around, is unique."

Another project on the cards is an artists' hostel. It is to have 250 to 280 rooms, and paying visitors will also be welcome to stay there, allowing them to mingle with the artists.

"It will be, as far as I am aware, the first experimental artists' hostel in Hong Kong," Pescod said.

"We want to have gallery spaces, we want to have workshops. We want to give them the space in the district so they can create. But at the same time, we want to open up that experience of creating art to the community."

Visitors to the hostel can expect to be charged around HK$1,500 per night, while there will be a "substantial discount" for the artists.

Officials said they hope both projects will be completed by 2023 or 2024, to tie in with the opening of other major facilities at the arts hub.