The Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) signed a six-year agreement on Wednesday with Eythos to operate a new Art and Valuables Storage Facility under its SKYTOPIA blueprint, with operations expected to begin in 2027.
Covering 53,000 square feet, the facility will be housed in an existing two-story building within the airport’s non-restricted area, offering museum-grade storage and private viewing rooms.
Vivian Cheung Kar-fay, Chief Executive Officer of the Airport Authority, said the partnership marks an important step not only for the airport, but also for Hong Kong’s broader cultural ecosystem.
With Hong Kong ranked as the world’s second-largest art market and serving as a key gateway to the Chinese mainland, Cheung said the city is well positioned to develop a stronger art ecosystem that reinforces its status as both an aviation and cultural hub in Asia.
Cissy Chan Ching-sze, Executive Director (Commercial) of AAHK, said demand for art storage remains strong due to Hong Kong’s free-port status.
She noted that artworks are often stored in the city to avoid taxes in other jurisdictions, and expressed hope that the new facility will further strengthen Hong Kong’s position in the global art market.
Despite being a relatively young, homegrown company, Eythos has gained industry recognition through its participation in major international events, including Art Basel Hong Kong, Chan added.
She said Eythos will be responsible for upgrading the building and its interior, with an investment of about HK$300 million.
Eythos founder Lewis Cheng said the facility will adopt advanced features including gaseous fire suppression systems and specialized rack storage for paintings, with strict temperature control to meet international standards.
Meanwhile, Chan outlined a broader development timeline for the “Airport City” project, with several key components expected to come online around 2028.
The expansion of AsiaWorld-Expo is scheduled for completion that year, while a new yacht bay—featuring hotels and water-based leisure facilities—is set to invite proposals in the second quarter of this year and will open in phases from 2028.
She also said that autonomous vehicle operations along the Airportcity Link, a major corridor connecting the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge port with SkyCity near the airport, are also expected to be completed in 2028.
The SKYTOPIA blueprint aims to integrate art trading, entertainment, yacht and water sports facilities with popular culture and leisure offerings, leveraging the airport’s land and marine resources to develop a world-class destination, according to authorities.
