At least six universities in Hong Kong have shifted into office buildings and shopping centres over the past three years due to rising non-local enrolment and limited campus space. The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology recently opened a new teaching centre in Admiralty.
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology spent HK$345.4 million in 2025 to buy a 31,410 sq ft site on the fourth floor of United Centre in Admiralty. The centre, formerly occupied by Metropol Restaurant until its 2024 closure, was unveiled on Tuesday for the university's business school.
Frederik Anseel, dean of business and management at HKUST, said the move addressed needs for more suitable teaching spaces. “We want to have much more interaction and people work on case studies or do teamwork, so we need spaces and venues that are very much fit to allow students to work together,” he stated.
Other institutions including City University, Lingnan University, and Hong Kong Metropolitan University have followed similar paths. A property consultant noted that universities are taking advantage of vacant commercial properties in the city.