HONG KONG, Jan. 7, 2009

Hong Kong To Restore Bruce Lee's Old Home

House Currently Used As A "Love Motel" Will Be Turned Into Tourist Attraction

  • The Hong Kong government has agreed in principle to preserve the former home of late martial arts legend Bruce Lee and turn it into a tourist attraction, officials said, Jan. 7, 2009.

    The Hong Kong government has agreed in principle to preserve the former home of late martial arts legend Bruce Lee and turn it into a tourist attraction, officials said, Jan. 7, 2009.  (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

(AP)  The Hong Kong government has agreed to preserve a former home of late martial arts legend Bruce Lee and turn it into a tourist attraction, an official said Wednesday.

The house where Lee lived from 1972 to 1973 is currently used as a "love motel," where rooms are rented by the hour and people often carry on affairs. The owner has lobbied to covert it into a museum.

Hong Kong's commerce and economic development minister met with the owner Tuesday and agreed to the project that would restore the two-story house back to its "original outlook and features," said government spokeswoman Winnie To in an e-mail statement.

It did not elaborate on the timeframe or how the project would be funded but said the government hoped the project would enable Lee's supporters to commemorate his achievements.

Lee, who died in Hong Kong in 1973 at age 32 from swelling of the brain, was born in San Francisco but grew up in Hong Kong.

His credits include "The Chinese Connection," "Enter the Dragon" and "Return of the Dragon."

© MMIX The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Add a Comment
by clovernyc January 7, 2009 6:56 PM EST
What a surprise. The Chinese didn''t grind up his house and sell it on the global market as baby food.
Reply to this comment
by lblair57 January 7, 2009 5:41 PM EST
Wow! He lived there a whole year! What memories!
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