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“To determine which structures could be saved and which had to be rebuilt, near-
ly a year was spent inventorying every building on the North Block site.”
Believed to be the symbol of the new Shanghai, Xintiandi were retained and paved with the same century-old gray
breathes new life into an old Shanghai neighbourhood. flagstones, and new walls were built with reused red and
Shanghai, after decades of decay following China’s transfor- black bricks. Where walls had to be removed, large glass
mation under the Communist rule, is now once again the panels filled in.
country’s most sophisticated city. Its dynamism is impossible
to ignore, but the influence of the past is all too pervasive Since its opening in 2001, Xintiandi gradually becomes
and especially so in Xintiandi - a development of restored the top entertainment and tourist destination in Shanghai.
low-rise houses know as Shikumen, or “stone-gate” build- Xintiandi’s success has helped to raise the property value
ings, right in the center of town. These restored buildings in the area significantly and turned the surrounding area
together with the new inserts and built works, stand as a into the most expensive real estate in the city. The project
perfect symbol of the new Shanghai. has significant impact on urban policymaking in Shanghai
and beyond.
New buildings were designed around these highlights. Where
buildings had to be demolished, plazas were created. Alleys
Above: Xintiandi is primarily made up of 2 sections. The North Block comprises of shopfronts and outdoor eating and sitting areas. Its
walkways connect to the adjacent South Block, which is a new retail, entertainment, and hotel complex.
Opposite: Parts of the North Block with restored and reconstructed historic courtyard homes known as shikumen houses, replicating the feel
of an old Shanghai street
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