Populous-Designed Kai Tak Sports Park Opens In Hong Kong

The 28-hectare, city-shaping HK$30 billion Kai Tak Sports Park, situated on the site of the former Kai Tak Airport in Kowloon, is the world’s window to Hong Kong’s major events.

Populous developed the masterplan for the Sports Park, integrating high-quality sports and entertainment venues with retail, wellness, recreational and community spaces to foster a user-friendly environment.  Beyond that, the stunning 50,000-seat Kai Tak Stadium, designed by Populous’ architects, puts Hong Kong firmly on the map as a global centre for major international events.

Also integrated into the Sports Park is the 10,000-seat indoor Kai Tak Arena and the 5,000-seat outdoor Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground while 14 hectares of the Park is dedicated to open space.

Fans don’t have long to wait to get the best sports view in the city when the marquee Hong Kong Sevens Rugby tournament is held at Kai Tak Stadium from 28 to 30 March, just two weeks prior to Coldplay hosting its Music of the Spheres World Tour at the stadium.

Populous brought its leading architecture, brand, interior and wayfinding experts from Hong Kong and across Asia and Australia to deliver the venue, which has already become one of the world’s great sporting landmarks before a player even steps foot on the pitch.

Populous Senior Principals and Co-Managing Directors APAC Richard Breslin and Paul Henry comment on seven years of meticulous design work:

The South Terrace at Kai Tak Stadium offers an event platform that is the world’s window to sport in Hong Kong.  It allows spectators to immerse themselves in the action while the impressive glass curtain wall behind them provides panoramic views of Victoria Harbour and seamlessly connects the Stadium to the city’s vibrant landscape. 

“The South Terrace will translate the atmosphere that the Populous designed Hong Kong Stadium generated, particularly for the Sevens, on the grand old lady of So Kon Po’s South Stand for the past 30 years,” Breslin added.

“Hong Kong is one of the densest cities in the world so to have a facility like this that is so woven into the fabric of the surrounding community is something very special, particularly for local Hong Kongers.  It’s a jewel in the city for major international events and elite athlete development. The design of the Sports Park connects it to the city and the Harbour and highlights its unique civic location.”  Paul Henry, who was involved in the project from inception, said.

The focal point and “jewel in the crown” of the Sports Park is Kai Tak Stadium where the Hong Kong Sevens and Coldplay will take centre stage during the next few weeks.  With “Pearl of the Orient” as its facade design theme, the Stadium’s exterior is made up of 27,000 aluminium panels that create a shimmering pearlescent form that changes colour with the natural light, shifting from cobalt blue to metallic purple and silver throughout the day. Viewed from the bay, it adds an instantly recognisable new landmark to Hong Kong’s famous waterfront skyline.

This achievement showcases Populous’ extensive digital Building Information Modelling and design expertise, highlighting the depth of knowledge and innovative approach the practice has brought to this transformative, large-scale project.

“Whilst buildings like Kai Tak Stadium are the anchors of this project, the destination points within the precinct and the journey throughout are just as important to the overall experience of visitors,” Paul Henry said.

“Over the past few days, it has been so exciting to watch Hong Kongers walking along Kai Tak Sports Avenue on their way to Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground alongside visitors from around the world.  The walk through the Sports Park along the Avenue is designed to help build anticipation for the big sporting events while at the same time celebrating sport and leisure in all its forms.”

→ Kai Tak Stadium has a fixed seating capacity of 50,000.  The facility has been designed to meet the standards of major international events.

→ Kai Tak Arena is an indoor sports venue with the ‘Grand Hall’ having a seating capacity of up to 10,000, with 80% of the seats retractable or removable to cater for different events. The ancillary ‘Sports Hall’ offers a seating capacity of up to 500.

→ Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground is an outdoor sports venue with a seating capacity of 5,000.

→ The Sports Park is built on 28-hectares of land previously occupied by Kai Tak Airport in Kowloon.

→ Fourteen-hectares of the Park is dedicated to open space catering to a diverse range of user groups from community events to participatory sports and active recreation.  It is composed of a rich tapestry of activity and education zones, galleries, trails and elements that honour the former airport’s heritage.

→ Kai Tak Sports Avenue runs across the entire precinct from North to South, offering connections from the adjacent Station Square, the MTR Kai Tak and Sung Wong Toi Stations, and through to the harbourfront promenade.

→ Located in the heart of the precinct, Central Square can be used for community recreation activities or events.

→ Located east of the Kai Tak Stadium, East Village offers a mix of lawn and concrete floor surfaces suitable for different sports activities or extension programmes for major events.

→ Located in the southern part of the precinct, South Bank offers an open-air multi-purpose space for a wide range of activities inclusive of trails and activity zones.

→ North Garden at the northeastern corner of the precinct will be equipped with courts for ball games as well as a cycling track, a jogging trail, a children’s playground and a lawn for recreation.

→ Dining Cove, which overlooks the Victoria Harbour, will offer a diverse range of food and beverage options.

→ In addition to restaurants, retail shops, and a Health and Wellness Centre, there will be an international-standard bowling centre with 40 lanes suitable for hosting international tournaments.