Hong Kong Ballet will relocate to a new dedicated dance venue at the West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD) starting in April 2027, marking a significant change after 16 years based at the government-operated Cultural Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui. The company will commit to the “Dancehouse” within the soon-to-be-completed West Kowloon Performing Arts Centre for at least five years.
The move follows concerns raised last year about the ballet company’s future performance space after the announcement of its departure from the Cultural Centre. Hong Kong Ballet artistic director Septime Webre expressed relief at the opportunity to confirm the relocation, highlighting the benefits the new facility will bring.
The Dancehouse is described by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu as Hong Kong’s first venue solely dedicated to dance, built to meet international standards. Webre noted that the new venue would enable the company to increase its annual performance weeks by more than 40 percent, from seven to ten, potentially expanding its audience and impact. He emphasized that the expanded schedule would better support the company’s mission to perform at a high international level.
The permanent home in the West Kowloon Cultural District is expected to raise the profile of Hong Kong’s dance scene, much like the district’s M+ museum has done for visual arts. Webre suggested that this move could further enhance the company’s international touring program, which has included nine trips abroad over the past 18 months, including two to New York.
A key feature of the new arrangement is access to the grand theatre, the largest of three venues in the performing arts centre, seating 1,450 people. This will become the primary performance space for Hong Kong Ballet, enabling more shows to be staged. For rehearsals, the company will be housed at Dancehouse with 1,000 square meters of space, including improved amenities such as a physiotherapy room, larger changing rooms, and 24-hour access to three studios, with the option to book more.
Paul Tam Siu-man, executive director of the cultural district’s performing arts division, highlighted the design of the studios, which feature floor-to-ceiling windows allowing natural light—beneficial for dancers’ well-being—and enabling passersby from Kowloon MTR station to observe rehearsals. He stressed that this partnership is more than a tenancy arrangement, describing Hong Kong Ballet as deeply integrated into the centre’s strategic, creative, and educational initiatives.
The collaboration includes plans for joint investment in future productions, such as an opening gala inspired by the late kung fu legend Bruce Lee, as well as co-curated learning and participation programs. The WKCD also aims to develop merchandise, seek sponsorships, and foster international collaborations alongside the ballet company.
Tam noted ongoing partnerships with performing arts institutions in mainland China, France, and the United Kingdom, such as Sadler’s Wells and Studio Wayne McGregor, expressing interest in expanding such relations through the ballet company. He called the model a potential blueprint for future cultural collaborations.
Hong Kong Ballet executive director Heidi Lee Yik-shuen acknowledged that the partnership involves more than just improved facilities; it also requires high-quality programming to attract audiences consistently. She compared the envisioned role of the new venue to that of the David H. Koch Theatre at New York’s Lincoln Center, the home of the New York City Ballet.