hong kong’s first ‘broadway-caliber theater’
UNS has designed Hong Kong’s first private, world-class, multi-functional theater as part of Central Yards on the New Central Harbourfront. Commissioned by Henderson Land, this project introduces a dedicated performing arts venue within an expansive mixed-use development along the city’s waterfront.
Spanning nearly 400 meters—about a quarter-mile—across a 4.8-hectare site, Central Yards forms a horizontal civic structure that integrates commercial, cultural, and public amenities. The theater serves as one of its principal cultural landmarks, strategically positioned to bridge the dense urban environment of the Central Business District with the openness of the harbor.
visualizations courtesy Henderson Land
uns wraps the auditorium in a lattice shell
The auditorium for Central Yards in Hong Kong is envisioned as a seamless spatial system, uniting stage, seating, and technical elements within a sculpted lattice shell. This architectural and acoustic enclosure, created by the architects at UNS, shapes the interior ambiance, providing both enclosure and focus while accommodating advanced lighting, sound, and stage systems.
With a capacity exceeding 1,100 seats, the theater is designed for touring musicals, large-scale productions, and international events. Its interior is meticulously crafted, combining refined materials with sophisticated acoustic engineering to support both amplified and unamplified performances. Every aspect—from sightlines to material transitions and lighting—has been thoughtfully designed to ensure a sense of intimacy throughout the hall.
UNS designs Hong Kong’s first private ‘Broadway-caliber’ theater within Central Yards
Extending the Central Yards theater into the city
Beyond its auditorium, the project reimagines the theater as an essential civic hub. UNS has designed a series of interconnected interior and exterior spaces that seamlessly link the venue with neighboring office towers, landscaped ground-level areas, and elevated public zones. Lobbies, VIP suites, and circulation paths are conceived as vibrant social environments that remain active beyond performance times.
This interconnected layout enables Central Yards to extend cultural activities into the public domain, facilitating events, gatherings, and informal interactions along the Harbourfront. The theater thus becomes an integral part of urban life in Hong Kong, contributing daily rather than functioning as an isolated venue.
an intricate lattice shell integrates stage, seating, and technical systems
For Henderson Land, the theater is central to establishing Central Yards as a vibrant 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,’ emphasizing that it unites ‘nature, culture, joy and ambition‘ to help shape a visionary future for Hong Kong.
Within this vision, the theater sets a new benchmark for technical and spatial excellence in a privately developed venue in the city. Its presence marks a significant shift, demonstrating how large-scale commercial developments can prioritize cultural infrastructure as a core feature rather than an afterthought.
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 | @
