UNStudio, a Dutch architectural practice in collaboration with the Hong Kong based AD+RG, has been chosen to design a fifth arts venue in the West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD), Hong Kong.

Scheduled for completion in 2019 with schematic designs being released in Q3 of this year, the new 1,200 seat Lyric Theatre will be Hong Kong’s first dedicated facility for dance performances. The venue will also be used for the staging of major events in the WKCD, such as drama, opera and concerts.

After Freespace and the Xiqu Centre, the Lyric Theatre is the third venue dedicated to the performing arts in WKCD. It will flank Herzog & de Meuron’s and Farrell’s new building for the M+ Museum on the site. Michael Lynch, CEO of WKCDA commented that “The design team for the Lyric Theatre is an excellent example of marrying global vision with local expertise.”

The Lyric Theatre's location in the cultural district will offer views across the harbour and the surrounding 23 hectares of public space, with the entire area being envisaged to create a new cultural quarter for the city. Set on 40 hectares of reclaimed land, the site features ample green space and a harbour front promenade, as well as several arts venues.

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