A historic Tai Hang landmark is getting a new life. Villa Haw Par, the Grade 1-listed mansion built in 1935 by Tiger Balm co-founder Aw Boon Haw, broke ground on June 1 for its transformation into Hong Kong’s first cultural villa.
The project is led by the Foundation for Art and Culture, a non-profit founded by Arthur de Villepin, with the HKSAR government engaging the organization last year to operate the site on a self-financing basis. Miss Rosanna Law, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, attended the ceremony alongside de Villepin, who called the villa “deeply rooted in Hong Kong’s identity — a place where tradition and modernity have never been in opposition, but in constant dialogue.”
The restored site will feature a “Garden of Wonders,” where historic sculptures meet contemporary art installations within a landscape inspired by the origins of Tiger Balm. Inside the villa, visitors can expect research and exhibition spaces, artist residencies, immersive installations, and a cinema program celebrating Hong Kong’s cultural legacy.
The transformation will unfold in phases from 2026, with progressive openings leading to the full activation of the site.
Location: 15A Tai Hang Road, Tai Hang
Opening: Phased from 2026
Admission: TBA
Website: villahawpar.com.hk