The Mills is a landmark heritage revitalisation project in Tsuen Wan, transforming Nan Fung Textiles’ former factory complex into a vibrant destination of award-winning architecture, where Hong Kong’s industrial past meets applied creativity and innovation.
Born in 1954 at the height of Hong Kong’s manufacturing boom, Nan Fung Textiles rose to become a powerhouse of the territory’s dominant textile industry, employing generations of workers across spinning, yarn production and textile manufacturing. As the industry gradually declined through the 1980s and 1990s, operations finally ceased in 2008. On its 60th anniversary in 2014, Nan Fung Group announced The Mills Revitalisation Project — a bold vision to transform the former factories into a destination for innovation, culture and learning. After four years of careful adaptive reuse, The Mills opened its doors in 2018, preserving its industrial character while stepping boldly into the future.
The Mills is a landmark revitalization project by Nan Fung Group, a celebration of shared industrial legacy with Hong Kong, and a step towards a future of applied creativity and innovation.
Hong Kong’s rich history of enterprise has its roots in the booming manufacturing era of the 1950s. It was during that time Nan Fung Textiles was founded and grew to become a cornerstone of the territory’s dominant textile industry.
In the years since, Nan Fung Group has transformed itself into one of the largest privately held organizations in Hong Kong, well regarded in the areas of property development, investment services, and social values.
Announced in 2014 by Nan Fung Group on its 60th anniversary, The Mills project will transform and revitalize the company’s former textile factories into a destination for innovation, culture and learning.
The project was inspired by the desire to reinvent the way we think about development in Hong Kong—to honor our history while building the future.
In addition to being the origin of Nan Fung Textiles, the district has unique history and culture of its own. Home to a large number of families and young professionals, Tsuen Wan enjoys a fast growing and vibrant community.
Textiles is the largest manufacturing industry, employing 30% of work force
Textile industry employment rate increased to 43% of total manufacturing work force
FAQs
The Mills is a landmark heritage revitalisation destination in Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong. A HK$700 million project by Nan Fung Group that transformed former cotton-spinning mills (1954–2008) into a new destination for innovation, business, experiential retail, arts, culture and learning, celebrating a shared industrial legacy with Hong Kong. The Mills comprises 3 pillars: The Mills Fabrica, The Mills Shopfloor, and the Centre for Heritage, Arts & Textile (CHAT).
Nan Fung Textiles was founded during Hong Kong’s booming manufacturing era of the 1950s and grew to become a cornerstone of the territory’s dominant textile industry. Its cotton mills – Mill No.4, 5 and 6 in Tsuen Wan – were all completed in 1960s-70s. Economic growth and diversification led to the demise of Hong Kong’s cotton industry in the 1980s–90s. The cotton mills ceased operations in 2008 and the buildings were turned into warehouses. In 2014, Nan Fung Group announced The Mills Revitalisation Project on its 60th anniversary. A landmark heritage revitalisation project in Hong Kong, The Mills opened in 2018.
The Mills has witnessed the golden age of Hong Kong’s textile industry and has undergone significant transformation and revitalisation since its decline. It has now become a landmark cultural and creative heritage preservation project in Hong Kong, undertaken by the Nan Fung Group, allowing The Mills to preserve the original appearance and architectural features of the cotton mill factory while incorporating modern design. As a conservation project in Hong Kong, The Mills not only emphasises the external preservation of the building but also dedicates itself to cultural heritage and preservation. It offers visitors a new way to experience the passage of time, enabling them to delve into and understand the history of the textile industry and local culture. It shapes a unique cultural character for the community. With the intention to keep ‘where old meets new’, original signage and the signature green paint were retained and can still be seen after refurbishment.
Housed in the former cotton-spinning factory of Nan Fung Textiles in Tsuen Wan, CHAT (Centre for Heritage, Arts and Textile) is Asia’s world-class textile culture museum and a core part of The Mills’ heritage conservation project.
By harnessing the power of textiles, CHAT serves as a community changemaker – transforming history into fresh ideas, sparkling creative thinking, breaking down barriers, and growing together with our community through a vibrant lineup of curated exhibitions and co-learning programmes.
For a deeper, more immersive experience, you can join the cultural guided tour to journey through time and uncover the rich stories behind the textile industry. Participants will explore The Mills’ signature attractions alongside CHAT’s permanent exhibition, “Welcome to the Spinning Factory!”, tracing Tsuen Wan’s evolution from an industrial powerhouse to a thriving cultural landmark.
Visitors can experience the site’s industrial legacy through carefully preserved original architectural features throughout the complex. Many of these heritage elements create distinctive photo opportunities that capture the striking contrast between industrial history and contemporary design.
For a full guide to the most photogenic and historically significant locations, visit our Revitalization& Heritage page.