Shanghai is often described as a showcase of architectural styles from around the world. Its historic buildings reflect a blend of Chinese and Western influences, from Art Deco apartments and garden villas to traditional lane houses.

This guide highlights 12 historic buildings that reflect the city's architectural heritage, including the Green House, designed by Laszlo Hudec; the former Columbia Country Club; the Christian Literature Society Building; Cathay Theatre; and Jian-Ye Li.

1. Christian Literature Society Building

Architect Laszlo Hudec designed the nine-story Art Deco building, completed in 1932. It formerly housed the Christian Literature Society, the largest Christian publishing organization in China at the time. The building is internally connected to the adjacent True Light Building to the east.

Address: No 128 Huqiu Road, Huangpu district

 

2. Cathay Theatre

Designed by architect C. H. Gonda and built by Zao Mow Kee & Son, this historic cinema was constructed in the Art Deco style between 1930 and 1931. Its most recognizable exterior features include vertical strip windows at the corner, brown ceramic tiles, and a prominent spire bearing the cinema's name.

Address: No 870 Middle Huaihai Road/No 129 South Maoming Road, Huangpu district

 

3. Former Astrid Apartments

An eight-story vintage apartment building completed in 1933. Designed in a distinctive wedge shape, it showcases striking Art Deco features on its rooftop spire and entrance lintel, complemented by yellow-and-green exterior tilework.

Address: Nos 294-316 Nanchang Road (even numbers)/Nos 141-153 South Maoming Road (odd numbers), Huangpu district

 

4. Shanghai Federation of Literary and Art Circles office building (Former Residence of Mr. Chow)

Built in the 1920s, this garden villa features twin curved gables on its south facade and colonnaded double-story verandas.

Address: No 238 West Yan'an Road, Jing'an district

 

5. Shanghai Institute of Urban Planning and Design (The Green House)

Designed by Laszlo Hudec and built between 1935 and 1938, this modernist garden residence, formerly the home of D. V. Wood, is known as the "Green House" for its distinctive green-glazed tiles.

Blending modernist lines with Art Deco interiors, the residence was the first private home in Shanghai to include an elevator. It also features curved staircases, spacious terraces, and a glass-roofed sunroom.

Address: No 333 Tongren Road, Jing'an district

 

6. Jing'an Hotel (former Haig Court, Elias Apartments)

Built in 1932, this historic apartment building blends Spanish and Art Deco styles. It features barrel-tile sloping eaves, arched entry porches, and a grand staircase leading to the second-floor lobby. It originally had 10 stories, with additional stories added later.

Address: No 370 Huashan Road, Jing'an district

 

7. Jian-Ye Li

Jian-Ye Li is a large cluster of traditional Shikumen lane houses built between 1930 and 1938. Blending Chinese and Western architectural elements, the buildings feature barrel-tiled horse-head gables and preserve the character of Shanghai's traditional lane neighborhoods.

Address: Alleys 440, 456, and 496, West Jianguo Road, Xuhui district

 

8. Midget Apartments

Built in 1931, this modernist apartment building features a flat roof and rough-cast cement-mortar walls. Art Deco details on the window surrounds and cornices add decorative touches to its otherwise simple exterior.

Address: No 115 Wukang Road, Xuhui district

 

9. Shanghai Conservatory of Music (former Belgian Consulate)

Built in 1926, this German Renaissance-style garden residence once served as the Belgian Consulate. The building resembles a European country house, with its steep red-tile roof, Baroque-style timber-framed gables, and German-style corner turret.

Address: No 1131 Middle Huaihai Road, Xuhui district

 

10. Historic buildings at No 200 Xinhua Road

Built in the 1930s, this garden residence features a traditional Chinese double-eaved roof with barrel tiles. Inside, exquisitely carved wooden door frames and a teak caisson ceiling reflect a blend of Chinese and Western architectural styles.

Address: No 200 Xinhua Road, Changning district

 

11. Building No 2, Xingguo Hotel

Built in the 1920s, this British country-style garden house features continuous arched verandas, exposed red-brick accents, and triangular timber-framed gables in varying sizes.

Address: No 72 Xingguo road, Changning district

 

12. Shang Sheng Xin Suo (former Columbia Country Club)

Completed in 1936, the former Columbia Country Club is a Spanish-style building that boasts rustic cement mortar walls and stone detailing around its entrances and windows. Today, it is part of Shang Sheng Xin Suo, also known as the Columbia Circle, a cultural and lifestyle destination in Shanghai.

Address: Building 7, No 1262 West Yan'an Road, Changning district

 

Note: Some historic buildings are used as offices or private residences and may not be open to the public. Please check access arrangements before visiting.

 

(Updated on Nov 11, 2026)

Source: Shanghai Municipal Housing Administration