Yau Ma Tei Theatre and Red Brick Building

Built in 1930, Yau Ma Tei Theatre at Waterloo Road is the only surviving pre-World War II theatre in urban area. Its characteristic features include the two pillars at the front entrance, the Chinese pitched roof, the Art Deco façade and Dutch gable walls, the steel trusses and timber purlins for roof support, and the original proscenium and interior walls of the stage. Yau Ma Tei Theatre ceased operation in 1998 and was accorded as Grade 2 historic building in 2009.

Built in 1895, the Red Brick Building was formerly the Engineer’s Office of the old Pumping Station of the Water Supplies Department on Shanghai Street. It is the oldest surviving building of a water pumping station in the territory. After the water pumping station ceased operation in 1911, various buildings in the complex were either demolished or converted for other purposes, with the exception of the Red Brick Building. Its special features include the red brick façade, cast iron rainwater pipes, cast iron hopper heads, arched verandahs and granite coping stones, knee stones, skew corbels, and pad stones to gable. The former Pumping Station of the Water Supplies Department was rated Grade 1 historic building in 2009.

For the preservation, promotion and development of Cantonese opera, the Yau Ma Tei Theatre and the Red Brick Building, both graded historic buildings, have been revitalised as a territory-wide performing arts venue named Yau Ma Tei Theatre. Officially opened in 2012, the venue is designated for promoting Chinese opera activities, in particular Cantonese opera. The venue is equipped with performing and rehearsal facilities to encourage and support the budding and upcoming Cantonese opera troupes.

The Yau Ma Tei Theatre was temporarily closed from 2022 onwards in connection with the Phase 2 construction and is expected to be re-opened in 2026.