Behind the Concrete is a monthly snippet where we introduce a piece of architecture that has a unique design and/or interesting story.
Project name: Columbia Circle
Location: Changning district, Shanghai
Area: 48,000 square meters
Design company: OMA
Project description: Comprised of multiple buildings constructed on a 48,000-square-meter area over the last century, Columbia Circle (formerly known as Columbia Country Club) was once the main hangout spot for Shanghai’s American expats during the 1920s and 30s, and later became the research campus of the Shanghai Institute of Biological Products. Fast-forward to 2018, and Columbia Circle is now a mixed-use complex that houses a vibrant roster of restaurants, bars, cafes, retailers, creative spaces and office buildings within the façade of the original structures. Here’s a brief history of the compound.
1924
American architect Elliott Hazzard designed the first of the dozens of buildings at Columbia Circle: the former clubhouse building with an outdoor swimming pool and a gym.
1930
Six years later, Hungarian architect Laszlo Hudec built a villa on the opposite end of the complex for Sun Yat-sen’s son, Sun Ke.
1952
The Shanghai Institute of Biological Products took over the entire compound, constructing a research campus on the ground over the next five decades or so. These industrial buildings were originally constructed as production and packaging facilities, laboratories, storage warehouses and office spaces.
Circa 2000-2015
With the development of the residential buildings and compounds throughout Changning district, SIOBP eventually ceased its operation and management of Columbia Circle.
2016
Real estate giant Vanke took over Columbia Circle and enlisted OMA to inject new life into the compound. With the goal of preserving its diverse mix of industrial and Spanish Colonial Revival-style historic buildings onsite, the Dutch architecture firm reprogrammed the layouts of the existing structures according to the needs of the F&B and retail tenants, while maintaining and refurbishing the original façade.
2018
Since May, businesses have begun moving in and opening their doors to guests at the revitalized Columbia Circle. Confirmed tenants include naked Hub, Seesaw Coffee, Pirata, Blackbird, Dawn City Books, Inkwood, The Parlour and much more.
Click here for more Behind the Concrete.
0 User Comments