The Henderson Rises in Central as a Bauhinia-Shaped Landmark, with Art and Coffee Anchoring the Neighborhood
The Henderson, a new Central landmark designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, draws inspiration from the budding Bauhinia flower, combining a Christie's gallery, a Jeff Koons installation, and dining to create an urban space where art and commerce coexist.
The Henderson stands in Central, designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, with its overall form inspired by the shape of a budding Bauhinia flower. The building's exterior is composed of flowing curved surfaces and organic contours, departing from the rectilinear office towers common around Central, and instead conveying a soft, plant-like tension reminiscent of growth. Its glass curtain wall combines sustainability principles with innovative technology, allowing the facade to reveal layered changes under different angles of light.
This design approach, rooted in natural form, gives The Henderson a strong sense of identity amid the dense cluster of buildings in Central. The structure functions not only as a commercial space but also as a visual point of pause for pedestrians passing through the street.
How Does the Interior Connect Art and Everyday Life?
Inside The Henderson, a Christie's gallery brings the auction house's artistic resources into a daily commercial setting, creating a configuration where a commercial tower and art exhibitions share the same address; actual exhibition schedules and opening hours should be confirmed through each respective unit's announcements. Within the same building, a % Arabica café offers everyday beverage options, creating an alternating rhythm of stillness and activity alongside the gallery.
% Arabica café has taken up residence in The Henderson, forming part of the building's diverse mix of functions alongside the gallery and bar. Image: 香港旅遊局
Installed in the third-floor lobby is Balloon Swan (Red), a work by American artist Jeff Koons, known for its metallic, reflective surface and oversized balloon form. Placed in the open lobby space, it serves as one of the lobby's recognizable artistic focal points, giving The Henderson's lobby a display function beyond that of a mere transitional space.
Balloon Swan (Red), displayed in the third-floor lobby, is the work of American artist Jeff Koons. Image: 香港旅遊局
The building also houses an art-themed bar, Peridot, which together with the Christie's gallery and the café forms a configuration where commerce, art, and dining coexist. Outdoors, an art garden extends the indoor display logic into open-air space, allowing the overall circulation—from the indoor gallery and lobby installation to the outdoor garden—to form a coherent experience.
The Timeline of Travel Expos and Exhibitions
In May 2026, the Hong Kong Tourism Board partnered with eight travel operators to launch a two-week online travel expo, originally scheduled to conclude on May 17, offering four-day, three-night packages starting at HK$8,888 during the promotion period. Promotional content during the same period included the exhibition "Mona Lisa: The Making of a Renaissance Icon" at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum, as well as "The Art of Gardens: In Chinese and Western Traditions" at the Hong Kong Museum of Art, the latter featuring Monet's original Water Lily Pond among its exhibits. These two exhibitions were originally scheduled to run through July 27 and July 29 respectively, and both have since concluded.
Looking back at this timeline of travel expos and exhibitions, it is clear that The Henderson, as a new Central landmark, had its architecture and artistic programming resonate with Hong Kong's broader cultural promotion activities at the time. However, The Henderson's own artistic functions are not dependent on any single expo schedule, but instead exist as a permanent fixture within the Central neighborhood.
