Restoration of Hong Kong's State Theatre will take five years, but it is already a hit

In 2017, the State Theatre in Hong Kong was listed as a Grade 1 Historic Building, thanks not only to its 68 years of history and cultural significance, but also its modernist architecture that is said to be unique in Asia. Photo: Handout

The extension of an popular immersive exhibition that retraces the memories of one of Hong Kong's most iconic cinema buildings, and the past glory of the local film and entertainment industries, has set high expectations for one of the city's largest privately-run heritage conservation projects.

A new life will be given to dilapidated cinema, the State Theatre building, a Grade I historic site at North Point on Hong Kong Island. The conservation and redevelopment plan is spearheaded by New World Development's CEO Adrian Cheng, a billionaire who is known for his love of art, culture and heritage.