Disappearing Corners » Avenue Joffre

Cathay Mansions

admin — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 08:11:43 +0000

The Cathay Mansions were built as a residential hotel in 1928. It was the first high-rise to be built on Shanghai’s swampy ground. (Further information from Live in Shanghai) The Cathay Land Company, owned by Sir Victor Sassoon, who had built the landmark Cathay Hotel on the Bund and many other major properties in Shanghai, commissioned the British firm Arnhold & Company to build Cathay Mansions. The construction was the city’s tallest at the time and became a popular address for the rich and famous of the era. It is now part of the Jinjiang Hotel that includes Grosvenor Mansions, the original Cathay Mansions and the modern Cathay Garden executive wing.

Estrella Apartments

admin — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 14:48:47 +0000

Now known as Ruijin Apartments, it is designed by Hudec in 1926. The ground floor is now a retail store selling Adidas. It was something else when I first saw this building back in 2002, and later Metersbowne until Adidas moved in earlier this year.

This is perhaps my favourite building on Huai Hai Road. Looks a bit like those houses in Paris, isn’t it? Yeah, it’s French Renaissance style……

The metal gate has a passcode, thus I was not able to enter it. It’s quite beautiful in the evening when lights are on. I’ll take another picture soon and wait at the gate next time to see if I can enter the building