Do You Know Your Bund History? The Stories Behind buildings 1-33
The Bund is one of China's most recognizable landmarks,with a rich cultural history representing the heyday of Shanghai in the 1940s. The Bund was known as a commercial port and a political, financial, commercial and cultural hub for Western countries, investors and businesses. A melting pot of cultures, the Bund incorporates Gothic, Greek, Baroque, and Spanish culture into its architecture, producing a genuinely unique look that’s hard to find anywhere else in the world.
BUND No. 1
Formerly: McBain Building, Asiatic Petroleum Building
Currently: China Pacific Insurance Company Ltd
Built in 1913, the building’s first floor used to be Asiatic Petroleum Company, a subsidiary of Shell Chemicals UK Limited and the Royal Oil Company of Holland before 1966. From 1966 onwards, the building was converted to the headquarters of China Pacific Insurance Company Ltd.
BUND No. 2
Formerly: The Shanghai Club, Japanese Navy Base International Seamen’s Club, Dongfeng Hotel
Currently: Waldorf Astoria Hotel
Established in 1864, Bund No. 2 is famous for its architecture and was once an expatriates club and important place for social gathering. After the Pacific War, the club closed down and was converted to a Japanese Navy Base. Following the war, it was converted to an International Seamen’s Club, then Dongfeng Hotel in 1971 before being home to the iconic Shanghai Waldorf Astoria Hotel.
BUND N0. 3
Formerly: Youning Building, Union Builldin, Shanghai Civil Design Institute
Currently: Bund No.3
Upon building completion in 1916, this building was rented out to insurance companies who then funded the 1922 renovation project there. In 1953, the Shanghai Civil Design Institute took over the place. In 2004, the building was converted to a luxury high-end shopping mall known as Bund No. 3. Current renowned restaurants that occupy the space include CHI-Q, Mercato, Huangpuhui, Jean-Georges, Wang Jiang Ge and More. Bund No. 3 is also the first high-rise steel frame structure building in Shanghai, and the first project by British Palmer & Turner in the city.
BUND No.5
Formerly: Nissin Building, Zhaoshangju Building, Shanghai Shipping Corporation
Currently: Commercial Buildings and High-end Restaurants
A joint venture between Japanese shipping company Nisshin Kisen and a Jewish businessman, Bund No. 5 was built in 1925. In the 1990s, Nisshin Kisen made their move to East Daming Road Building and the area was converted to a high-end restaurant in 2006. Find The Glamor Bar, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, M on the Bund, Museo, RYU, AJS Taipei, Cuisine and newly opened Kanpai Classic at Bund No.5.
BUND No. 6
Formerly: The Auction House, Commercial Bank of China
Currently: Shanghai Changjiang Shipping Corporation
A 3-storey colonial style building, Bund No. 6 used to be an auction house and was established in 1897. Close to Yuan Fang road, the building was once also known as Yuan Fang building.
BUND No. 7
Photo source: Flickr Canpac Swire
Formerly: Russell & Company , Telegraph Building , Xintong Commercial Bank
Currently: Royal Thai Consulate-General Shanghai
Built in 1908, Bund No.7 was originally owned by the Russell & Company. Following the Renaissance style building design, it was divided into 3 different sections horizontally and vertically.
BUND No. 9
Formerly: Russell & Company, China Merchants Tower
Currently: Luxury Brand Stores
America’s most famous company, Russell & Company, moved its headquarters to Shanghai in 1846. In 1877, they sold the company to the China Merchants Union set up by Li Hongzhang. Currently, it is home to the Shiatzy Chen flagship store.
BUND No. 12
Photo source: tfoodie
Formerly: The Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank (HSBC) Building
HSBC Building, City Government Building
Currently: Shanghai Archives Building
Designed by a British architectural company, it is the largest bank building in the Far East and the second largest bank building behind the Bank of Scotland in Britain. Well-known as a masterpiece combining Chinese modern designs with Western traditional architectural concepts, it is often regarded as the most beautiful building at the Bund.
BUND No. 13
Photo source: Michael Freedman photography
Formerly:The Customs Building
Currently: Shanghai Customs Building
In 1857, foreigners established an official building designed by Palmer & Turner Group. Filled with traditional design elements, the building is 8 floors high with a clock that spans another 10 floors. Mimicking the United States Capitol Clock, this is the largest clock in Asia and one of the most famous in the world.
BUND No. 14
Formerly: Bank of Communications
Currently: Shanghai Federation of Trade Unions
Previously owned by British enterprise Dent & Co, the building was bought by De Huayang in the late 19th century. After the First World War, the building was taken over by the Bank of Communications. In 1951, as the Bank of Communications moved its headquarters back to Beijing, and the Shanghai Federation of Trade Unions became its new occupants. Following renovations, the building was converted into a 6-storey art space and one of the most beautiful looking buildings along the Bund.
BUND No. 15
Formerly: Russo Chinese Bank Building, KMT Central Bank, Shanghai Space Agency
Currently: Shanghai Foreign Exchange Center
Designed by Becker & Baedeker, the building’s design was inspired by Italian art and retro style.
BUND No. 16
Photo source: Swire Chin
Formerly: Bank of Taiwan Building
Currently: China Merchants Bank Shanghai Branch
Originally a Japanese Bank, Bank of Taiwan was established by the Japanese in Taipei after Taiwan become part of the Japanese colony. In 1911, it opened a branch in Shanghai and following some post-war sucess, the government decided to put the Bank of Taiwan Shanghai branch under the care of the Agricultural Bank of China Shanghai.
BUND No. 17
Formerly: North China Daily News Building
Currently: AIA Building
Shanghai’s first skyscraper, North China Daily News was the first tenant. The hall is decorated with white marble flooring and black marble walls for a throw-back professional look.
BUND No. 18
Formerly: Chartered Bank, Chunjiang Building
Currently: Art and Culture Landmark
Located near Nanjing East Road, Bund No. 18 was built in 1923 as the China headquarters for British Standard China Bank. Upon undergoing renovations in 2002, the building has been going by the name Bund No. 18 since 2004. Shop in boutiques, dine in fancy restaurants and high-end bars, and visit art galleries here. A landmark for Shanghai’s Art and Culture scene, it houses 5 of the 2015 Asia’s Best Restaurants, classics like Mr & Mrs Bund, Hakkasan , Bar Rouge and new restaurants like SALON DE THÉ de Joël Robuchon、L’ATELIER de Joël Robuchon and Japanese restaurant, Sushi Ginza Onodera.
BUND No. 19, 20
Formerly: Zhongyang Hotel, Huizhong Hotel
Currently: Peace Hotel
Divided into North and South buildings, the South building is owned by Huizhong Hotel while the North Building is owned by Huamao Hotel.
BUND No. 22
Formerly: Swire Group, Fenghua Building
Currently: Luxury Lifestyle Building & Art Center
In 1906, British company Swire Group invested into Bund No.22, which was renamed to Fenghua Building in 1949. Currently home to high end brands, an art centre and luxurious lifestyle clubs, Bund No. 22 has up to 22 world-class restaurants like Da Ivo, Lady Bund, el Willy and more.
BUND No. 23
Formerly: Bank of China Building
Currently: Bank of China Branch
Built in 1937, Bund No. 23 is the only building on the Bund designed by a Chinese and it houses Shanghai’s most established skyscrapers.
BUND No. 24
Formerly: Yokohama Specie Bank Building, Zhongyang Bank Building, Renming Bank Huadong Branch
Currently: Industrial and Commercial Bank of China
Built in 1924, The China Shanghai Division for Yokohama Bank was designed by P&T Architects & Engineers Ltd, with a Japanese and Western influence.
BUND No. 26
Formerly: Yangtze Insurance Building
Currently: Agricultural Bank of Shanghai
Built in 1920, the Yangtze Insurance Building was later rented by the Agricultural Bank of Shanghai.
BUND No. 27
Formerly: Jardine Matheson Building
Currently: Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce
Using retro architectural styles, the building design plays on uneven surface designs. The west side is caved in while the east side has 3 sections sticking out.
BUND No. 28
Formerly: Glen Line Building
Currently: Shanghai Media Group
Using new Renaissance period designs, the top floor is decked with a tower structure.
BUND No. 29
Formerly: Indochina Bank, Indochina Building
Currently:CEB Bank Shanghai Branch
Designed by Atkinson and Dallas Architects and Civil Engineers Ltd, the building’s architecture reflects the beauty of traditional French designs and sculptures.
BUND No. 33
Formerly: British Consulate General in Shanghai, Shanghai Government Office for Administration
Currently: The Peninsula Hotel
Standing through time, Bund No. 33 is the oldest and only 19th Century building along the Bund. Starting out as a Consulate office in 1849, the building was destroyed in a fire in 1870 and repair work was completed in 1873.