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Revitalising Roberts Block

Built in the early 20th century on Kennedy Road, Roberts Block is one of the surviving buildings of the old Victoria Barracks. It was originally known as the married soldiers' quarters ‘Block E’. Following the Second World War, it was named after Brigadier (later Major-General) G.P. Roberts and was graded as a Grade 1 historic building by the Antiquities Advisory Board in 2009. From 1986 to 2013, the building was used by the New Life Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association as a half-way hostel for recovered psychiatric patients.
Revitalising Roberts Block
A place where history and healing meet
Empowering community through creative expression
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Art enhances mental health
Environmental settings relieve stress
In July 2018, the Development Bureau announced that Christian Oi Hip Fellowship Limited and Art Hub Asia Company Limited were selected as the operating organisations for Batch V of the Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme. Subsequently, Hong Kong Roberts Block Centre Limited was established in 2019 as a non-profit charitable organisation dedicated to revitalising Roberts Block into a Creative Arts Therapy Centre, as well as organising guided tours to display its history and architectural features.

The Centre aims to promote diverse modalities, including visual arts, dance movement, drama, expressive arts, music, and play therapy,
to raise mental health awareness in Hong Kong, supporting physical, mental development and wholistic wellbeing across all stages of life.

Architectural Merits

Roberts Block is a three-storey building whose north elevation features the elegant Edwardian Classical Revival style. Square red-brick columns support a classical entablature and moulded cornice at each floor, with open verandahs stretching across every level.

Urn-shaped classical balusters are set in the protective railings between columns, painted white to provide a striking contrast with the red brickwork. The building still retains its original steel staircases, half-glazed wooden doors, and fanlights.
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Conservation and Restoration Focus

All revitalisation works at the Roberts Block Creative Arts Therapy Centre adhere strictly to conservation guidelines. Architectural conservation, user safety, and community needs have been carefully balanced during the design and construction phases.

 

Key points include:​

  • Complying with current conservation requirements and conducting restoration according to strict specifications.

  • Preserving the vast majority of the original building’s external appearance and architectural features.

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Major Construction Works

  • Adding new staircases, a lift, and connecting bridges linking the ground floor, first floor, and second floor of the main building to replace the old outdoor staircase, greatly improving vertical access.
  • Constructing a new fire services water tank in the outdoor space next to the building to enhance fire safety provisions.
  • Removing the metal frame with wire mesh from the verandah openings and installing glass balustrades in their place to restore visual transparency while ensuring safety.
  • Constructing a new staircase and lift connecting to Kennedy Road to improve external 
Roberts Block Creative Arts Therapy Centre

Roberts Block Creative Arts Therapy Centre

‘Creative Arts Therapies’ is an umbrella term for several professional modalities encompassing art, dance movement, drama, expressive arts, music, and play therapy. Through media such as drawing, writing, drama, clay, sandplay, music, play, and dance, participants can express complex emotions, support their mental and psychological needs, and improve their wellbeing and quality of life.

Managed by professional therapists across six modalities, Roberts Block Creative Arts Therapy Centre integrates heritage conservation, public education, and therapeutic services to offer rich and wholistic experiences for the community, championing mental health and all-round personal growth.

Service Overview

First Steps
A Journey of Curiosity and Wonder
Explore this inspiring environment and the Grade 1 historic Roberts Block at your own pace.
Options include self-guided exploration or professionally guided tours.
Gentle Exploration
Finding Meaning through Art
Gain inspiration, learn new skills, and connect with other creators through artistic creation and experiences. Single-session or multi-session activities led by professionals are available.
Deep Journey
Expression through Therapy
Experience personal growth and transformation through multi-faceted creative arts and play therapy, collaboratively tailored by therapists and participants to meet unique needs.

Other Services

In addition to individual and group therapies, the Centre actively extends its reach across society. Our services mainly cover two major areas:

Education & Training
Hosting public education lectures, providing continuing education courses for professionals, and designing customised training solutions for schools and corporate groups.

Community & Outreach
Engaging with communities and schools via outreach services, experiential workshops, and in-school therapy to raise public awareness of physical and mental health.
To fulfill our social service commitment, the Centre ensures that approximately 30% of our overall services are dedicated to vulnerable groups at subsidised rates or free of charge, making community participation truly accessible and inclusive.

Development Milestones

2021
2022
2025
2026
2027
(Expected)
Completed the detailed project design and secured funding approval from the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council.
Officially commenced renovation works.
Completed Phase One construction.
Commenced partial operations.
Complete Phase Two works and barrier-free facilities to enter full, official operations.
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