In the heart of the Changshou Road subdistrict in Shanghai's Putuo district, several old buildings have been brought back to life through urban renewal — among them, the newly unveiled West Lane, or Tongyili in Chinese.

Located at No 166 Changshou Road, West Lane was originally a Shikumen-style residential neighborhood built in the 1930s. Years of wear and disrepair had taken their toll, but a redevelopment project led by Shanghai Xibu Enterprise Group Co Ltd has given the area a vibrant new identity.

Unlike many traditional alleyways, West Lane has never relied on the charms of street food or the bustle of daily markets. Even during its renovation phase, the commercial team behind West Lane created a small "Art and Social Living Room" inside a temporary 100-square-meter structure. There, they hosted trendy art events — including an illustration exhibition, a vintage film poster showcase and even swing dance parties.

The team also formed a long-term partnership with the Shanghai Young Art Fair, which has a network of nearly 20,000 emerging artists. Together, they continue to organize themed exhibitions — providing young artists with a platform and residents with a culturally rich, art-infused environment.

The first and second floors of West Lane, along with the basement level, focus on dining, entertainment and retail. The space features a diverse mix of flagship stores and international brands, offering a dynamic shopping and leisure experience for locals and tourists alike.

Visitors entering West Lane will first notice "Style Canada" — the Chinese debut of Canadian backpack brand Venque. Its signature Adirondack chairs at the entrance offer not only seating, but also a welcoming visual. The in-store cafe and bar currently ranks as the top-rated coffee spot on popular lifestyle app Dianping for the Changshou Road area.

Further inside is Hwarang, a Korean restaurant. Despite opening only a month ago, it already ranks first among Korean restaurants in Putuo and attracts late-night crowds.

Another highlight is the Shanghai debut of the popular Hong Kong dim sum chain Dim Dim Sum, which operates 23 stores worldwide.

West Lane is also home to Wagtopia, a pet-friendly store that offers fresh-made pet treats like cookies and cakes — further cementing the area's reputation as a pet-friendly community.

The basement level will target younger customers with nightlife and entertainment options, expected to open to the public in June.

Floors three and four serve as creative office spaces for the fashion and design industries. Leading tenants include international modeling agency IDOL and global brand consultancy BranDNA.

Just 200 meters away, another revitalized site — Tailaifang — will soon open to the public. It includes a Moxy Hotel by Marriott and will work in tandem with West Lane to form a 24-hour urban complex integrating retail, offices, hospitality and cultural experiences.

Together, they aim to welcome both Shanghai residents and international visitors with high-quality products, thoughtful services and distinctive lifestyle events.

Sources: Official WeChat account of Shanghai Putuo Media Center at "shputuo", West Lane