Homi Villa: CNHE Youyou Villa

• Selected applicant: National History Education (Hong Kong) Limited
• Capital cost: About HK$86.0 million (as at September 2020 price level)
• Government subsidy required for operation of social enterprise: About HK$2.948 million

General Project Description

• To revitalise Homi Villa into a learning centre that integrates Chinese culture and history studies with environmental studies. To deepen public’s understanding of the environment, history and culture and to allow visitors to learn about the history of Hong Kong through exhibitions, guided tours, lectures and workshops, etc.; and
• A restaurant serving Indian and Chinese cuisine will be set up to reflect the background culture of Homi Villa and the Ruttonjee family.

Historical Significance

The historical significance of the building will be demonstrated and maintained by:

• Displaying the history of Homi Villa, Sham Tseng and Ruttonjee family in the indoor and outdoor exhibition areas. Guided tours will be arranged to introduce the characteristics and history of the historic building to the public;
• Retaining and slightly modifying the later-added Extension to suit new uses and minimising visual impact of new installations (e.g. the accessible lift and staircase) to the historic building;
• Upgrading of the existing footpath leading to the main entrance of the Main Building to a barrier free access path. It facilitates the public to appreciate the original access path to the main entrance of the historic building; and
• Replacing the existing barrier free access ramps by soft landscape and staircases in order to be compatible with the original residential use.

Technical Aspects

CNHE Youyou Villa complies with conservation guidelines by:

• Complying with current requirements of building regulations, like the provision of barrier free access;
• Restoring the internal and external architectural features of the Main Building. This helps visitors to appreciate the architectural significance of the historic building;
• Preserving most of the existing architectural features and façades of the Main Building and Extension. The new lift and staircase are constructed far away from the Main Building to minimise visual impact to the historic building; and
• Re-designing the gardens with soft landscape and interpretation checkpoints to create open spaces for outdoor activities.

Social Benefits

The project will bring benefits to the society by:

• Presenting a variety of activities focusing on environmental and history studies under a relaxing environment.  This fosters public understanding of the Ruttonjee family and the history, development and contribution of the Parsis in Hong Kong, in addition to the history of Homi Villa and Hong Kong;
• Providing students with learning experience, and teachers and commercial organisations with professional talks and workshops to deepen participants’ understanding of environment, history and culture;
• Apart from regular guided tours, organising two open days annually with thematic exhibitions, talks and activities related to the festive days to attract public participation; and
• Offering job opportunities to local residents and the underprivileged, and liaising and cooperating with the local communities.  This establishes community cohesion and strengthens the sense of belonging among local residents.

Selected Organisation

National History Education (Hong Kong) Limited was established in 2018.  Its services include operating Centre of National History Education (Hong Kong), which provides historical and cultural activities for kindergarten, primary and secondary school students and teachers, such as exhibitions, competitions, study tours and seminars, as well as producing teaching aids, promoting drama education and publishing books, etc.

Way Forward

• The selected organisation has to:
  • invite consultancies
  • complete the detailed design of the project;
  • seek planning permission (where applicable) from the Town Planning Board on the intended usage;
  • seek formal funding approval from the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council for the renovation work;
  • prepare tender documents and engage main contractor;
  • supervise and monitor the renovation work;
  • apply for licences (where applicable) for intended operations; and
  • sign with the Government agreements on operations of the social enterprise and preservation of the historic building.
• Anticipated Project Commissioning Time: 2026
• Anticipated Breakeven Time: Year 3