High-profile building movements in Shanghai

First built in 1844 by the French, this observatory started out as nothing more than a pole with different weather signs hanging from it. In 1907, it was rebuilt into a 45-meter-high meteorological tower. The tower, which was initially located at the crossing of Zhongshan No 1 Road East and Yan’an Road East, was moved 22.4 meters eastward in 1993 during the reconstruction and widening of the road by the Bund. At that time, workers could only move the structure a few centimeters every day. The tower was unaffected by the relocation and the project was hailed as an unprecedented feat at that time.

On Sept 16, 2017, Shanghai’s Jade Buddha Temple announced that the relocation of its grand hall was completed. The temple was first built in 1882 and named after the two jade Buddha statues in its collection. It was reconstructed in 1918 after the original structure was destroyed by fire. The 2,000-metric-ton structure was moved together with three clay Buddha sculptures and other relics within. Lan Wuji, the founder of Evolution Shift Co, the company responsible for the relocation, said that “the challenge was like walking and carrying a tray of tofu to a destination”. The hall was lifted 1.05 meters and moved 30.66 meters northward.

Founded in 1930, the 1,500-seat concert hall was known as the most luxurious cinema in Shanghai. It featured a classic European design that was fashioned by Chinese architect Fan Wenzhao. In 2003, the concert hall was moved southeast-ward by 66.46 meters and elevated by 3.38 meters, a record highest in relocation endeavors in China at that time, to make space for an elevated highway. The concert hall underwent protective refurbishment after this historical move, including upgrades to its acoustic system. Today, the concert hall remains one of the music venues in the city with the best acoustic effects.

This building is the largest structure ever to be moved in Shanghai. Constructed in 1933, this six-story building was used as a storage space for the company’s soda drinks. Located on 400 Tongbei Road in Yangpu district, the building is a protected structure that is deemed an integral part of the city’s heritage. The 7,000-square-meter building was moved 33.26 meters northward and 5.39 meters westward in 2013.