Reborn Hong Kong recreation ground in Kwun Tong draws sports enthusiasts and tourists alike to become unlikely hit on Instagram
- Gaw Capital has turned the centre on top of Kai Yip Estate into a riot of colour and modern urban design, and it’s not just fitness fanatics taking note
On top of a public housing estate in the working class neighbourhood of Kwun Tong, the old meets the new. A former dilapidated rooftop sports ground has been turned into a brilliant display of sharp, colourful design.
The 20,000 sq ft space at Kai Yip Estate is home to two basketball courts, a multi-purpose area used for badminton and football, and a children’s playground. A running track circles the facilities.
A year ago it was just a single lacklustre basketball court which had seen very little love since it opened in 1981. But last year it was renovated by Hong Kong private equity fund Gaw Capital Partners, after the company bought the space in March together with 16 shopping malls. In January the centre was reopened to the public, who pay nothing to use it.
“We asked ourselves: ‘What is a recreation centre?’ We came up with the idea that it should be inclusive, and people should be able to play as many types of sports as possible,” says Chris Tsui, designer and founder of SLAB, a social basketball community.
But the firm wanted the recreation ground to be about more than sports – rather, a community hub for local residents.
