hong kong’s first ‘broadway-caliber theater’

 

UNS designs Hong Kong’s first-ever private, world-class multi-functional theater as part of Central Yards on the New Central Harbourfront. Commissioned by Henderson Land, the project introduces a purpose-built performing arts venue into a large-scale mixed-use development at the city’s waterfront edge.

 

Central Yards stretches nearly 400 meters, or a quarter-mile, along a 4.8-hectare site and shapes a horizontal civic structure that brings together commercial, cultural, and public programs. The theater forms one of its key cultural components, positioned to act as a gateway between the dense urban fabric of the Central Business District and the open expanse of the harbor.

hong kong central yards
visualizations courtesy Henderson Land

 

 

uns wraps the auditorium in a lattice shell

 

The auditorium at Hong Kong’s Central Yards has been conceived as a continuous spatial system, where stage, seating, and technical infrastructure are brought together within a sculpted lattice shell. This structural and acoustic envelope by the architects at UNS defines the interior experience, giving the room a sense of enclosure and focus while supporting complex lighting, sound, and stage requirements.

 

With seating for more than 1,100 guests, the theater is scaled for touring musicals, large-format productions, and international premieres. The interior is finely calibrated, pairing crafted surfaces with advanced acoustic engineering to support both amplified and un-amplified performance. Sightlines, material transitions, and lighting conditions have been carefully considered to maintain intimacy across the full depth of the hall.

hong kong central yards
UNS designs Hong Kong’s first private ‘Broadway-caliber’ theater within Central Yards

 

 

Extending the Central Yards theater into the city

 

Beyond the auditorium, the project expands the idea of a theater as a civic space. UNS designs a connected sequence of interior and exterior areas that link the venue to adjacent office towers, landscaped ground-level zones, and upper-level public spaces. Lobbies, VIP areas, and circulation routes are treated as social interiors that remain active beyond performance hours.

 

This network of spaces allows Central Yards to host cultural programming that spills into the public realm, supporting events, gatherings, and informal encounters along the Harbourfront. The theater becomes part of a broader urban experience, contributing to the daily life of Hong Kong rather than operating in isolation.

hong kong central yards
a intricate lattice shell integrates stage, seating, and technical systems

 

 

For Henderson Land, the theater plays a central role in positioning Central Yards as a new civic destination. Dr. Martin Lee Ka Shing, Chairman of Henderson Land, describes the development as ‘born from Henderson Land’s commitment and love for the city we call home,’ adding that it brings together ‘nature, culture, joy and ambition‘ to shape a long-term vision for Hong Kong’s future.

 

Within this framework, the theater introduces a level of technical and spatial ambition previously unavailable in a privately developed venue in the city. Its inclusion signals a shift in how large-scale commercial developments can accommodate cultural infrastructure as a core component rather than a secondary amenity.

hong kong central yards
the auditorium accommodates over 1,100 guests

 

 

‘We are incredibly delighted and honoured to design and deliver Hong Kong’s first private Broadway-calibre theatre,‘ says Ben van Berkel, Founder and Principal Architect, UNS. ‘This is a highly ambitious venue, and our goal is to create an unprecedented experience that generates cultural impact both locally and globally. It will redefine Hong Kong’s harbourfront with a diverse, inclusive, and experientially unique image.‘

 

 

project info:

 

name: Central Yards

architect: UNS | @we.are.uns

location: Hong Kong

developer: Henderson Land | @hendersonlandhk