Modernista, Mr Shi's, The Orchid Survive Hutong Renovations

For Gulou residents, there’s nothing new about waking up to the sounds of construction in the hutongs. However, many residents were shocked on Saturday morning to find the noise was coming from multiple construction crews demolishing or bricking-up shopfronts and restaurants along Baochao Hutong. In total, over 90 shopfronts were sealed shut over the weekend, leaving many residents wondering whether the businesses were gone for good.

Baochao storefronts on Saturday night

A joint project of Andingmen City Management, Public Security Bureau, Industry and Commerce Bureau, and Food and Drug Administration, the project appears not to be targeting the businesses themselves, but rather the buildings in which they operate. Only one business and one door will be allowed per street number from now on and in some cases, construction crews have assisted in opening new off-street doorways inside the courtyards themselves.

While its door and windows have been completely bricked-up by construction crews over the weekend, a previously unused back entrance and a handwritten “we are open” sign are all the popular Mr Shi’s Dumplings has needed to continue operating its original Baochao Hutong branch.

Mr Shi's Dumplings

Modernista too appears to have survived the weekend. Despite dramatic scenes of the bar and restaurant’s entire façade being demolished, owner Matthieu Torrano told the Beijinger this morning that they are safe and sound, describing the demolition as “a few cosmetic changes,” and saying they plan to reopen again soon. “Some people will eventually close because they won’t be visible enough,” Torrano told us. “But I couldn’t get a haircut yesterday because the shop was too packed with clients, so I guess you can’t drive hutong people away so easily.”

Popular hutong hotel and restaurant The Orchid came out of this weekend unscathed, as technically its doors do not open onto Baochao Hutong.

Modernista

None of Baochao Hutong’s business owners we spoke to over the weekend were aware of, or willing to talk about, the particular plan under which this type of hutong restoration falls. However, one business owner told us that the restorations will extend to Nanluogu Xiang and the hutongs either side of it, possibly threatening the existance of long-established businesses such as Mao Mao Chong, Salud, and Plastered 8.

Zhang Yu, captain of Andingmen City Management’s Enforcement Squad told NetEase that there are three main reasons for the changes. “These illegal shopfronts have always been a chronic problem for the City Management and cause great harm. Firstly, knocking down load-bearing walls seriously weakens the structural integrity of the buildings. Even a mild earthquake or some other natural disaster would be extremely likely to cause safety problems. Secondly, these premises have been created by residents converting their homes into shopfronts to rent to small businesses and hawkers. Since these types of businesses have converged on the area, sanitation and food safety have declined, negatively impacting the lives of nearby residents. Thirdly, these small shopfronts have been decorated in a myriad of styles that don’t fit with the original style of the hutong, reflecting negatively on Beijing’s image."

RELATED: Signs Not Good for Continued Existence of Nanluogu Xiang as We Know It

Andingmen Neighborhood Office Deputy Director Feng Yeshui told NetEase that after the illegal shopfronts have been sealed up, they will carry out comprehensive restoration and regulation of the hutong, including houses and buildings, advertising and signs, and car and pedestrian traffic. “This integrated plan will restore the hutong’s Old Beijing historical style.”

We are intrigued to find out what these plans will lead to in the future, but are glad to find out that some of our favorite hangouts have indeed survived, regardless of the many rumors floating around WeChat groups this weekend.

On another note, voting is now open for the Sweet 16 round in this year's Pizza Cup. Read the voting process here or head straight to the voting page by scanning/extracting the QR code below. Voting for this round closes on October 27 (Thursday) at 2pm.