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Columbia Circle is Already Making Big Waves

ShanghaiWOWeng 2018-11-30

After officially opening to the public less for the first time in 70 years, the freshly-renovated Columbia Circle has attracted masses from all corners of Shanghai to the various establishments present on site which include restaurants, bars, exhibitions and other entertaining options. 



A cultural landmark rich in history

Sunke Villa, the Columbia Country Club, and an Olympic-sized swimming pool



Rented by the urban development company Vanke Estate Group for RMB 70 million, what once stood as an exclusive club for expatriates over 90 years ago and the research center of the Shanghai Institute of Biological Products company in the 1950s has now become one of the trendiest public entertainment hubs in Shanghai. 


Sunke VillaSpanish-inspired designs built in the 1930s


The other side of the park leads to the former Great Western Road where the Columbia Country Club lived more than a century ago; a social hub particularly popular among American and European expats in the early 1900s before the liberation period. This place also used to serve as a modern high-end residential area.

 

Columbia Country Club

 

The club was very popular among expats who would come here to socialize over sporting activities and parties. Imagine, if you will, the backyard of the upper class. Members also had access to the Columbia Riding School (currently known as the Shanghai Film Art Center) where the wealthy and famous came to pick up some horse riding.

 

Shanghai’s only preserved Olympic-sized swimming pool

 

Among other amenities, the most popular at the Columbia Country Club was unquestionably its Olympic-sized swimming pool, currently standing as the only expatriate club swimming pool left in Shanghai.

 


But back in the day, visitors and members of the Columbia Country Club weren’t the only ones fortunate enough to enjoy its facilities. The staff and their families, whenever given the opportunity, would also come dip their toes to spend some quality time together.

 

“Shallow End” spelled out on the pool’s mosaic

 

Reopening to the public after 70 years


 

In the last 100 years, Columbia Circle had remained accessible to only a handful of visitors but luckily for us, this historic location has now been brought back to life and converted into a new cultural and fashion landmark.

 

Photo by aisin.j

 

“We hope to transform the entire space, instead of a few buildings, into a multi-functional creative space for various functions.” - Columbia Park OMA Representative

 


Unlike other popular and conventional areas like Xintiandi and Fengshengli which seem to attract a specific age group, Columbia Circle caters to all ages, particularly young and middle-aged visitors.

 


The pool is surrounded by restaurants and bars, thus creating a very lively and social scene at the heart of the new park where individuals of all ages meet.

 


This is also a very popular meeting spot to come watch the World Cup games as well as other screenings from organizations like the Shanghai Film Festival.

 


From the renovation of Zhang Yuan two months ago came the perfect infusion of modern elements that turned an old exclusive club into an open hub that adds even more charm to the day- and nightlife in Shanghai.

 

The perfect city retreat for the summer

Top 10 places to visit at Columbia Circle

 


Given how central Columbia Circle is, you might as well consider each visit a short staycation. Some of the most popular amenities to explore are their Navy Club - a former 2-story sports facility - and the swimming pool, which consequently have attracted plenty of new restaurants, bars, cafes and independent bookstores to claim their territory around it.

 

Restaurants and bars

 

INKWOOD



INKWOOD is a European restaurant that combines whole ingredients and sauces to create memorable dishes, championed by their lead chef who adapts their menu based on elements from each of the four seasons.

 


The meaning behind the name of the restaurant is quite symbolic. “Ink” is typically a liquid sauce and metaphorically represents our daily life, while “Wood” refers to the natural ingredients that the chef uses.

 


Some of the restaurant’s best dishes include the pickled cow’s tongue which is pickled for seven days and their slow-cooked spring chicken.

 

Recommended Dishes: Cow’s tongue, Spring chicken, Foie Gras

Address: 101, Block 19, 1262 Yan An Xi Lu

Tel: 021 8018 3357 / 138 1703 7517

Hours: Tuesday to Friday, 6pm - 11pm; Weekends, 11am - 4pm, 6pm - 11pm

 

Blackbird

 


The restaurant occupies three floors and adopts a futuristic interior with reflective wall designs all around.  



The first floor is dedicated to shareable and small-sized dishes as well as natural wine and cocktails, and also hosts music-related events on weekends.


 

Table Black, located on the second floor, is managed by chef Blake Thornley who comes from one of Asia’s top 50 restaurants.

 


The building also houses the restaurant’s cocktail bar, Bar Black, which offers a very creative menu of food items and drinks.

 

Recommended Dishes: Guizhou beef and pork burger, Manila clams and pork belly

Address: Building 8, 1262 Yan An Xi Lu

Tel: 187 0199 0479

Hours: Monday to Sunday, 11am - 2am

 

 

The Parlour

 


The Parlour has been around for a very long time. Back in the 18th and 19th centuries, the owner of this establishment aspired to bring European culture to Shanghai and eventually turned it into a very popular destination for the upper class. Today, the restaurant blends art, food and creative interactions into a very solid western dining selection.

 


Their kitchen is led by chef Samuel Norris from London and offers breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea sets, dinner and weekend brunches.



Managed by Wishbone, the restaurant is most notable for its French baked chicken, M9 Australia steak, axe-handle steak, and Neapolitan pizza.

 


When dusk falls, the Disco Pizza oven dazzles as it bakes various types of pizzas while diners can enjoy the different genres of music playing every night.

 

Address: Block 19, 1262 Yan An Xi Lu

Tel: 021 - 52735759

Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 11am - 12am

 

 

Sumo Cat Sushi House (Columbia Park Branch)

 


Unlike other traditional grilled meat restaurants, Sumo Cat adopts a blended experience that includes retro disco, hip hop, goth, and modern Japanese elements with its own DJ booth to enjoy your high-quality meal with a group of 3-5 friends with tailored music.

 


Sumo Cat paintings have become a signature of this brand and can be found all around the place.



Their cold beef dish is one of the most popular here and comes with an equal distribution of fat and meat.

 

Recommended Dishes: Cold beef, Sumo Cat cow’s tongue

Address: Room 104, 6/F, 1262 Yan An Xi Lu

Tel: 021 3257 7177

 

Brew Bear

 


This shop offers a rather unique beer experience with 7-meter-high beer barrels and imported beers from all over the world.

 


They serve great all-day breakfast items for RMB 68 which include Turkey and Eggs Benedict, an Old Daddy Breakfast and Swiss Nuts Oatmeal. If you’re looking for quick bites, we suggest you opt for the Avocado Salad, the Caesar Salad, or the Italian Parma Ham and Cantaloup.

 

Order a few pints of beer while watching their broadcasted World Cup games.

 

Address: 1262 Yan An Xi Lu

Tel: 021 6210 8011

Hours: Monday to Sunday, 11:30am - 12am

 

Latin House/Pirata

 


With his mother’s blessing, Chef Ling and her brother set up the now-popular Spanish eatery ‘Pirata’ which has earned quite the reputation for its delicious tapas. With two sister brands in Latin Woo and Hulu Sushi, Pirata is diversifying its offerings which are expected to include other Spanish delights, Cuban sandwiches and Japanese hand-rolled sushi.

 


Address: Room 105, 6/F, 1262 Yan An Xi Lu

Tel: 186 1673 8557

Hours: Latin, 10am - 8pm; Pirata, 6pm- 12am; Hulu Sushi 6pm - 8:15pm and 8:30pm - 10:30pm; Latin Sunday Brunch, 10:30am - 4:30pm

 

Coffee and desserts

 

Seesaw Coffee

 


The modern and futuristic chain Seesaw Coffee is a popular destination for many white collars in search of their daily dose of caffeine before and in during office hours. 



Apart from the classic Americano and latte, give their Day Flight drinks a try which consist of three cups of Piccolo or their Night Flight set which includes three cups of Americano.

 

Address: Unit 102, 19/F, 1262 Yan An Xi Lu

Tel: 021 8865 6632

Hours: Monday to Sunday, 9am - 7pm

 

Miss Sth



This colorful cafe uses a mix of neon lights and metallic dirty pink elements to create a rather memorable interior which turns into a lively bar at night where food items including oysters and cocktails can be served while relaxing along the nearby pool.

 


Miss Sth fuses Eastern and Western cuisines using various Chinese cooking tools and methods as well as Western flavors to create delightful dishes.

 


Desserts are well presented; some of their most notable are the Drunken Salted Egg, Pumpkin and Cheese, Armenian Wild Cherry and Black Chocolate, Wine-Infused Beets, and Citrus and Rum Bubbles.

 

Most recommended: Rose Cheesecake, Durian Ice Cream

Address: Unit 101, 6/F, 1262 Yan An Xi Lu

Tel: 021 3257 7997

Hours: 10am - 10pm


Art exhibitions

 

DawnCity Books

 


The independent bookstore DawnCity Books fuses culture and dining into one seamless experience. It’s a bookworm’s 3-story-high heaven where visitors can unwind with food and coffee on the first floor and art exhibitions on the second with access to their garden on the terrace.

 

A perfect hangout spot to sip on your warm (or preferably iced) cup of coffee while snacking and reading your favorite book.

 

Address: 18/F, 1262 Yan An Xi Lu

Tel: 021 6147 9208

 

Museum of Broken Relationships

First exhibition in China

 


Originally from Croatia and currently touring the world, this exhibition is dedicated to treasuring and sharing heartbreak stories and symbolic possessions from past relationships. 


Shanghai will be the traveling exhibition’s 50th stopover.

 

Address: 1262 Yan An Xi Lu

Tel: 021 3257 7997

When: June 15th - July 31st 2018

Price: RMB 120 (Weekdays RMB 90)

 

Fashion

 

JView Fashion

 


From small European and Japanese designers to big international brands that include Muji, Zuczug and Marisfrolg, this small elegant fashion organizes its clothing and household items based on the different types of materials and fabrics used.

 

Outdoor Small Patio Area

 

Address: 1/F, Building 3, 1262 Yan An Xi Lu

Tel: 021 3100 9655

When: Monday to Sunday, 10am - 10pm

 

To add even more life to this piece, we interviewed some interesting individuals about their own take on the new Columbia Circle. Here’s what they had to say:

 

"I’m already retired and come here just to capture some beautiful photos of the area. Seeing the younger generations play and socialize here makes me feel happy and 10 years younger." 

- Photography veteran

 


"I heard a joke that says the Columbia Park pool will soon be filled with coins." 

- Paparazzi



"Young people love taking photos; so much that we’ve had to change the swimming pool safety rope 3 times." 

- Security guard

 


"I feel like my job is been taken away when I see all the tripods lying around. This place is almost like a press release stage."

- Professional photographer

 


"I am the limelight in the pool today, the rest can move aside!"

- Influencer

 

 

If you have anything to add about any of the new places that have opened at Columbia Circle, please leave a comment in the section below!



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