Emperor's Garden Cream Puff Shop Shutters Amid ATO Wind-Up Bid

The restaurant has been a Sydney Chinatown fixture since Stanley Yee opened it in 1979. Its yum cha and takeaway cream puffs drew long queues. A separate Emperor's Garden barbecue noodle site on Thomas Street remains open.

The Hay Street site is at the centre of a A$44.5 million redevelopment approved by the City of Sydney in May. The plan, proposed by Hynsco Pty Ltd, calls for internal refurbishments and a 22-apartment residential tower that would raise the building from three storeys to 16. A council document said existing food and drink premises within the building "will continue to trade post-construction."

Property records show the building is partly owned by Hynsco and by M & S Yee, the partnership behind Emperor's Garden. Hynsco is run by Lance and Elaine Lai. M & S Yee refers to Stanley Yee and May Ho Yee, directors of Emperor's Garden Pty Ltd. Stanley Yee's son Valentine did not respond to a request for comment. Lance Lai also did not respond.

The ATO wind-up application and the repossession add an element of uncertainty to the redevelopment schedule. The hearing is set for Friday.