Appreciation of Famous Old Shanghai Mansions

Author: Lou Chenghao
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-07-01
Features: In those special years, this "dead end" was considered a for bourgeois and Kuomintang remnants. The "iron broom" of the proletariat swept in, and indeed, the world here was "quite spectacular." Many prominent figures were dragged out for public display, staging a living drama of "looting the rich and redistributing land." The original owners of the houses were driven out, and the destitute "three generations of red" occupied the premises, tearing down and adding to the good houses, turning them into a sprawling courtyard inhabited by "72 households," severely damaging the structures. When people returned to an era of civilization and reason, they realized that this "dead end" was actually a valuable asset of Greater Shanghai.
In modern Shanghai, from the opening of the port in 1840 to the eve of liberation, there were a total of 23.594 million square meters of various residential buildings, including approximately 6,000 single-family homes with a total area of over 3 million square meters. High-end single-family homes were even rarer, with only about 1.6 million square meters in total. Although their numbers were small, these homes hold significant architectural and historical value, making them a cornerstone of Shanghai's historical buildings.
With the gradual establishment of a market economy, people's awareness of market economy concepts has strengthened. In recent years, old Shanghai single-family homes have become hot "commodities," with some well-funded companies and individuals spending huge sums to purchase "old colonial homes." Some large companies have moved out of high-end office buildings and into these "old colonial homes." Major newspapers, small publications, and periodicals have all paid special attention to "old colonial homes," with their investment and appreciation potential highly regarded.
From an architectural perspective, "old colonial homes" are referred to as "single-family homes," while colloquially, they are called "mansion houses." They are called mansions because of their renowned architecture and the distinguished people who lived in them. Specifically, the value of old Shanghai mansion houses lies in three aspects:
1. Expensive land for residential purposes. Before liberation, most of these mansion houses were located in the former French Concession areas of Xuhui and Luwan Districts, the former International Settlement areas of Jing'an and Changning Districts, as well as areas like Liyang Road, Duolun Road, Huashan Road, Yuyuan Road, and Hongqiao. Through years of development, these areas have become quiet and well-equipped with living facilities. While building a single house is relatively easy, creating an environmentally superior residential community is not. It requires continuous financial investment and construction efforts over generations.
2. Exquisite design and construction. The construction of these mansion houses was undertaken by wealthy families, hiring top architects and contractors of the time. Through them, international architectural styles were introduced to Shanghai, gathering the architectural treasures of the world and showcasing different artistic styles from various eras. Their brilliant concepts and refined craftsmanship created a series of colorful homes. Architecture is the fusion of architectural science and art, and some outstanding homes, whether in terms of architectural form, floor plan design, exterior facade decoration, or interior details like staircases, doors, windows, and ceiling designs, are astonishingly exquisite.
3. Rich historical and cultural heritage. Homes are the primary places of human activity, and people are closely tied to buildings. Many owners of old Shanghai mansion houses were historical figures of Shanghai. Each home with a single owner represents a fragment of Shanghai's history. Today, although most of the houses have changed hands, the ones that witnessed history still stand. These historical legacies possess Shanghai's unique humanistic characteristics and profound cultural heritage, making them valuable historical and cultural resources of the city.
After half a century or even a century of wind and rain, the preservation of old Shanghai mansion houses is truly remarkable. Some were destroyed in wars, while others were demolished in urban construction, and their numbers are gradually decreasing. As the saying goes, "rarity is value." Today, old Shanghai mansion houses are no longer just ordinary residential homes but rather homes with dual properties of historical relics and habitation. Protecting old Shanghai mansion houses is essential for building Shanghai into a modern international metropolis. Major world cities like Paris, London, and Rome all place great importance on preserving historical buildings. Some famous residences have been renovated and opened to the public as memorials, enhancing urban landscapes while enriching cultural and tourism resources.
Shanghai has also done a lot of work in protecting old Shanghai mansion houses. For example, the former residences of Sun Yat-sen, Soong Ching-ling, and Zhou Enlai are not only well-preserved but also serve as memorials, attracting millions of domestic and international visitors each year. In recent years, Shanghai has enacted local legislation to strengthen the protection of outstanding historical buildings. For instance, the former residence of Max von Meckel, which was long used as office space for government agencies, has been moved out, and substantial funds have been allocated to restore it to its original condition, reviving the historical building with a new lease on life.
There are many ways to protect old Shanghai mansion houses. We have chosen to collect and compile scattered materials into books, architectural history and culture, and highlight architectural features and highlights to attract more people to care for our historical and cultural heritage. The authors come from planning management, architectural design, and housing management departments, with long-term experience in studying Shanghai's architectural history. They have published a series of works. Most of the content in this book is newly discovered materials that have not been published before. While some buildings may be familiar to readers, this book supplements them with additional information and historical architectural drawings, allowing readers to gain a deeper understanding of old Shanghai mansion houses.
Due to their age, collecting materials about old Shanghai mansion houses has been extremely challenging. Even with our efforts, there may still be omissions. We hope more people will participate, providing the materials they know and possess to continuously enrich Shanghai's architectural historical and cultural heritage.