1933 SHANGHAI (老場坊) , Shanghai, China

Located in Hongkou District, Shanghai 1933 was our next destination of the day.  After seeing photographs of this magnificent building on the Internet, I longed to visit Shanghai 1933 since months before our trip.  Built in the year 1933, Shanghai 1933 was purposely designed as a livestock slaughterhouse for the city.  It was designed by British architects, and some of the cement material was also imported from England. Throughout the years, the prewar slaughterhouse had been converted to host other functions.  A few years ago this unique building went through a major restoration and has once again gone through another identity transformation.  This time, it has become a hub of shops, restaurants, event spaces and studios for creative industries, a cool new representative of Shanghai’s creative and commercial scene.

The five-storey concrete building is remarkable both aesthetically and functionally.  The complex is comprised of a circular tower at the centre, and a rectangular ring of chambers around it, with open atrium spaces between the two components.  Narrow footbridges and concrete braces connect the two main components, while ramps and stairs link the levels.  Visually, the complex seems like a concrete labyrinth as if a modern realization of Piranesi’s imaginary prison.  Functionally, the former slaughterhouse is an excellent example of the former meat processing system when cattle was brought into the feeding halls at the outer ring and gradually proceeded upwards via the concrete ramps until reaching the high levels.  Then the animals would cross the narrow footbridges into the central circular tower and advanced through the slaughtering process.

After getting off the taxi, we were immediately attracted by the rich architectural articulations on the building facade and columns.  Reminding us of this highly globalized era, we could see the signage of Starbucks before we even entered the building.  Once inside, we wandered around the atrium spaces to take photographs and gradually worked upwards via its ramp network.  We didn’t pay much attention to the shops.  After strolling for a while,  we sat down at a Sichuan noodle shop and had a late lunch.  After the delicious meal, we wandered for another bit, enjoying ourselves with photographing the unique architectural spaces and also other visitors who came to Shanghai 1933 posing for all sorts of photo shoots.

Signage of 1933 Shanghai at the main entrance.

Interesting architectural articulations are visible everywhere, including the columns at the entrance arcade.

Footbridges at different levels of the complex greatly contribute to the labyrinth feel of the experience.

Visitors walked in the ring of atrium space between the circular tower and the rectangular outer chambers (shops).

Walking up the ramp overlooking a series of narrow stairs (probably for working staff back in the old days).

Even the concrete balustrade was created with a sense of organic fluidity.

The round edges of the architecture reminded us of the former streamline slaughtering process.

A narrow bridge linking the circular tower and the outer wing.

A group of children in vivid colours stood out from the monotonous concrete environment.

Watching people enjoying different corners at Shanghai 1933 was delightful.

Watching people enjoying different corners at Shanghai 1933 was delightful.

Some came for their wedding photos.

A few visitors seemed to be models for fashion photography.

Others were simply groups of young people looking for an interesting selfie spot.

We could see either someone was being photographed or someone taking photos of another person almost anywhere at Shanghai 1933.

Looking down from the highest level.

It was empty inside the circular core tower except some artwork display when we were there.

Footbridges and visitors both provided the most interesting components in any scene of the complex.

Concrete patchworks are visible throughout the complex.

Looking out the main entrance as we exited the complex.

The main facade of Shanghai 1933 as viewed from the canal of Shajing Port.

Other interesting former industrial buildings in the area.

Leaving Shanghai 1933 behind, we found our way to the nearest metro station.

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Read other posts on Shanghai 2016:
0.0 SHANGHAI, 2016
1.0 SUZHOU MUSEUM, Suzhou, China
2.0 HUMBLE ADMINISTRATOR’S GARDEN, Suzhou, China
3.0 LION GROVE GARDEN, Suzhou, China
4.0 SOUP DUMPLINGS AND MORNING STROLL, Shanghai, China
5.0 ROCKBUND, Shanghai, China
6.0 M50, Shanghai, China
7.0 1933 SHANGHAI (老場坊) , Shanghai, China
8.0 POLY GRAND THEATRE (上海保利大劇院), Shanghai, China
9.0 FORMER FRENCH CONCESSION, Shanghai, China
10.0 POWER STATION OF ART, Shanghai, China
11.0 LONG MUSEUM (龍美術館), West Bund, Shanghai, China
12.0 THE BUND (外灘) AT NIGHT, Shanghai, China
13.0 TIANZIFANG (田子坊), Shanghai, China
14.0 CHINESE HAND PRINTED BLUE NANKEEN GALLERY (藍印花布博物館), Shanghai, China
15.0 LUJIAZUI (陸家嘴) OF PUDONG (浦東), Shanghai, China