King Yin Lei: King Yin Lei - a Healthy Living Centre based on Pu’er Tea & TCM

• Selected applicant: Tianda Institute (Co-operating organisations: International Pu’er Tea Association Limited and Chinese Medicine (Global) Promotion Association Limited)
• Capital cost: About HK$188.3 million (as at September 2020 price level)
• Government subsidy required for operation of social enterprise: About HK$5 million

General Project Description

• To revitalise King Yin Lei into a healthy living icon and a learning centre for the promotion of general health through a better understanding of Pu’er tea, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and medicinal herbs; and
• To make use of the architecture of King Yin Lei to reflect the lifestyle change of the Chinese community in the upper circle in Hong Kong from 1930s to 1980s and to promote a work-life balance healthy lifestyle.

Historical Significance

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

• Preserving the original setting and architectural features of the site, and retaining the original building layout of the declared monument with minimum intervention;
• Encouraging the visitors to appreciate the spatial arrangement of the original design of the site and restoring the original functions of Dining Halls for dining services and the external gardens and swimming pool area for leisure;
• Setting up of interpretation area and providing displays on:
  • King Yin Lei’s historical background, its historic value as a prominent Chinese mansion since 1930s and its large-scale restoration in 2008-2010 marking the milestone of heritage conservation work in Hong Kong;
  • its architectural value reflecting the design and construction excellence in both Chinese and Western architecture, and the characteristics in terms of layout and design of a Chinese upper class mansion at the time;
  • its social value reflecting the rising status of Chinese merchant class in the 1930s;
  • the revitalisation process; and
  • the stories of previous owners in particular the first owner whom business on Chinese medicine echoing with one of the project objectives of promoting TCM.
• Providing guided tours which cover most of the architectural features of the site; and
• Documenting the whole revitalisation process for publication.

Technical Aspects

King Yin Lei - a Healthy Living Centre based on Pu’er Tea & TCM complies with conservation guidelines by:

• Complying with current requirements of building regulations, like the provision of barrier-free access;
• Preserving most of the existing external façade and architectural features;
• Installing a new lift and staircase inside the declared monument to fulfil the barrier-free access requirement, without causing visual impact to the building façade;
• Constructing a new lift and staircase to connect the ground level and the existing swimming pool;
• Constructing a single-storey new annex as tea studio for tea tasting, tea art demonstrations and training activities;
• Seeking environmental permit under Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance; and
• Seeking work permit under Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance.

Social Benefits

The project will bring benefits to the society by:

• Promoting a holistic approach to healthy living through the appreciation of traditional Chinese eating culture and Chinese tea;
• Presenting a variety of programmes such as classes, seminars, mindfulness activities to foster understanding of pursuing a healthy life, managing stress and anxiety;
• Apart from regular guided tours, organising three open days for the general public and two open days for the underprivileged children annually with tailored guided tours, educational activities and performances to attract public participation; and
• Offering job opportunities to fresh graduates and the underprivileged, which establishes community cohesion and strengthens the sense of belonging among local residents.

Selected Organisation

Tianda Institute, established in 2005, is a Hong Kong-based strategic studies think tank which brings together resources and expertise within the global Chinese academic communities for promoting Hong Kong’s position as a global city. 

International Pu’er Tea Association Limited, established in 2017, is dedicated to promoting general health of the Hong Kong community through better understanding of the health values of Pu’er tea and promotion of tea culture as a Chinese heritage and a healthy lifestyle. Chinese Medicine (Global) Promotion Association Limited, a company renamed in 2020, is formed to promote the innovative development of traditional Chinese Medicine to serve the community and the general public.

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 declared monument.
• Anticipated Project Commissioning Time: 2027
• Anticipated Breakeven Time: Year 3