In celebration of its centennial, Hysan has unveiled a thematic exhibition that stands as a salute to “The Colours of Causeway Bay” throughout the past century. Featuring five photo collections that contain rarely seen images, this meaningful exhibition is open to the public until 19 July at Lee Garden One.
Hysan’s 100-year journey, which began when the late Lee Hysan acquired a plot of land known as East Point Hill, has seen the complete transformation of the Causeway Bay neighbourhood. Over time, the area has become not just a destination for work and leisure, but also a hub celebrating culture and community. The exhibition will take place in unit 304 on the 3rd floor of Lee Garden One. From Monday, 20 May to Friday, 19 July 2024, the public are welcome to view Lee Gardens’ development over the past 100 years around five themes: “Legacy”, “Culture”, “Dream”, “Progression” and “Connection”.
Irene Lee, Chairman of Hysan Development Company Limited, said, “It has been an honour to organise this exhibition that showcases the transformation of Lee Gardens over the past 100 years in Causeway Bay, our home in Hong Kong. I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to those who shared the moments of Lee Gardens over the decades. For without them, we would not have built the heritage that we are so proud of. We are delighted to bring you these photos and artefacts, which remind us of the many milestones we have reached. We look forward to playing a major part in this community for generations to come.”
Generations of shared memories of Lee Gardens’ century of progress
Lee Gardens has been a beloved leisure space in Hong Kong since the 1920s. The Lee Garden Amusement Park, built 100 years ago, was known for its stages, amusement facilities, dining spots and beautiful landscaped grounds. The grand and luxurious Lee Theatre, opened in 1927, hosted a variety of performances and became an iconic cultural landmark in the city’s history. Following World War II, the Lee Theatre was home to local stars, including contestants in the early editions of the Miss Hong Kong pageant as well as the New Talent Singing Awards, like Loletta Chu and Anita Mui, respectively. The Lee Gardens Hotel, opened from the 1970s to the early 1990s, received famous celebrities such as the Bee Gees and Brazilian soccer legend Pelé. In the hotel, Yum Sing Bar, Rainbow Room and the Pavilion were sought-after dining spots that created fond memories across generations. Although the area’s development was marked by some of the same challenges that Hong Kong faced, the enduring connection between Lee Gardens and the community has persisted over the years.
These iconic moments, which have been captured in photos and treasured artefacts from private vaults, will be on display for a rare public viewing. The artefacts include the complete set of tableware once used at the Pavilion of the Lee Gardens Hotel, a ticket stamp for the Lee Theatre, a collection of winning entries from the couplet competition for the opening of Lee Garden, and a calligraphy couplet created and inspired from a chrysanthemum appreciation event. Old news clippings will also be exhibited, recalling old neighbourhood stories and past transformations of Causeway Bay.
Hysan100 video interview series: 100 stories and memories
Further to Hysan95, which five years ago brought together 95 unique human stories deeply connected to the neighbourhood, Hysan is presenting the Hysan100 interview series, in which five influential figures speak of their relationship with Causeway Bay. The interviewees include the following (in publishing sequence):
• Dr Gabriel Leung, Executive Director, Charities and Community, The Hong Kong Jockey Club. The small but meaningful moments that he has experienced in Causeway Bay have fuelled his enduring passion for the community. • Cado Lee, Hong Kong Professional Rugby Player. The neighbourhood’s ability to bring people together, even amidst hardship, resonates with Cado due to his tenacity as a successful athlete and his deep roots in Causeway Bay. • Loletta Chu, Miss Hong Kong 1977. She believes that elegance and beauty extend beyond mere physical appearance and encompass the qualities that reside within. This is why Causeway Bay holds a cherished place in her heart. • Leon Ko, Hong Kong Composer for Musical Theatre and Films. He views Causeway Bay as a melting pot of culture and an artistic hub that will continue to be a source of inspiration for generations to come. • Hans Michael Jebsen, Chairman of Jebsen Group. His connection to Causeway Bay is rich with stories of the past that connect his family with the Lee family across four generations.
The full interview series is now available to watch here.
Iconic moments captured on postcards and audio clips from our glorious past
Visitors can take home postcards by Hong Kong based artist illustrator Vanessa Leung as mementos of the exhibition. These hand-drawn postcards portray special moments in the history of the Lee Gardens neighbourhood, reflecting the unique cultural elements celebrated by the community. Visitors can also immerse themselves in a captivating experience at the audio booth set within the exhibition. The booth features the signature tune of the Lee Gardens Hotel, as well as farewell speeches by celebrities and a song dedicated to the Lee Theatre’s final night. These audio snippets will allow visitors to reminisce about the glorious farewell of the Lee Theatre, an event that remains timeless in the memories of many to this day.
Curated tours imparting the shared history of Causeway Bay to future generations
The exhibition will also be accompanied with a series of interactive guided tours and educational activities. These tours will introduce the cultural heritage, entertainment, iconic architecture, artistic creations and shared communal values of the area, giving the public an opportunity to rediscover the transformation and distinct features of Lee Gardens and Causeway Bay over the past century. The guided tours, subject to availability, will open for registration soon, with announcements made on Hysan100’s social media.
Photos and artefacts courtesy of the Lee Family Archive and Bei Shan Tang.
