Hong Kong musicians decry threat of Tsuen Wan Town Hall’s demolition, saying top-quality acoustics hard to replace

One of Hong Kong’s best music halls is under threat from a new policy to replace low-rise government buildings with taller structures to house more community facilities such as markets and health clinics.

Tsuen Wan Town Hall, which contains a 1,420-seat auditorium, is one of seven sites officials are eyeing as the potential first projects under the “single site, multiple use” policy, according to a government source.

But the news has shocked many musicians, who praised the concert hall as among the best in town for its top-quality acoustics. Local district councillors said the facility – built almost four decades ago – held the “collective memories” of the community.

“It would be such a pity,” said Pak Wing-heng, a musician with the government’s Music Office for almost 40 years. “Whether it’s the best concert hall, it’s hard to say. But definitely, it’s one of the better ones.”

The planning strategy was first introduced by Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor in her policy speech last year, and received monetary backing in finance minister Paul Chan Mo-po’s budget last week. It is intended as a short-term solution to a shortage of 87 hectares of land over the next three decades which will be needed to host government and community facilities.