HKMU Opens First Hotel-Converted Student Hostel MU88 with 430 Places
AM730 · 2 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU) officially opened its first student hostel, MU88, on August 21, 2025, marking a significant milestone as the inaugural property under the government's Hostels in the City Scheme to become operational. The hostel, located at 84 Wuhu Street in Hung Hom, provides approximately 430 residential places and will primarily accommodate non-local students, with room assignments determined by lottery. HKMU acquired the property, formerly the Chengmu Hotel, for 10 billion Hong Kong dollars in 2024 and benefited from government exemptions that allowed back-of-house facilities and parking spaces to be converted into student amenities .
Key Points
- MU88 offers 200 rooms with accommodation for 1 to 3 occupants per room, with double rooms being the most common configuration .
- The 2026/27 academic year rental structure spans from 67,000 Hong Kong dollars per person for triple rooms to 126,000 Hong Kong dollars for single rooms over two semesters (9 months), covering utilities and internet .
- Government floor area exemptions under the Hostels in the City Scheme enabled the conversion of nearly 700 square meters of back-of-house and parking facilities into shared spaces, study rooms, and lifestyle amenities .
- HKMU Council Chairman Conrad Wong Tin-cheung stated that the hostel will serve as an extension of university education, fostering student growth and cultural exchange .
- The university has launched a non-residential membership scheme requiring a 500 Hong Kong dollar annual fee, allowing full-time students to access hostel facilities and participate in hall activities, with an initial 50 trial spots available .
Why It Matters
The opening of MU88 addresses a critical need for student accommodation in Hong Kong's densely populated urban environment while supporting the government's broader goal of positioning Hong Kong as a regional education hub. With over 80 percent of beds already allocated and spaces reserved for exchange students and visiting scholars, the hostel is expected to significantly enhance the international character and diversity of HKMU's campus community, potentially serving as a model for similar conversions across other local universities .
The opening of MU88 addresses a critical need for student accommodation in Hong Kong's densely populated urban environment while supporting the government's broader goal of positioning Hong Kong as a regional education hub. With over 80 percent of beds already allocated and spaces reserved for exchange students and visiting scholars, the hostel is expected to significantly enhance the international character and diversity of HKMU's campus community, potentially serving as a model for similar conversions across other local universities .