Cite Bourgogne Shanghai
China - Xian - Beijing - Guangzhou - Chengdu - Dalian - Shenzhen - Shanghai - Hangzhou
Shi Ku Men style buildings in Shanghai have become a rarity. Cite Bourgogne Shanghai, Shanghai is one of the last few Shi Ku Men style buildings in the city. The name “Cite Bourgogne” was given by the French and the Chinese name of the building is Bugaoli. Shi Ku Men style buildings boast of stone arched houses, which are built closely together in a style that combines the architectural styles of East and West. These century-old buildings used to be extremely popular with the middle class of the city, but then, now these buildings are being replaced by urban and upscale skyscrapers.
The building was built in the year 1930 in the French Concession, which was a colonial section of the city. Located in one corner of the South Shan Xi Rd and Middle Jian Guo Rd, Cite Bourgogne was initially designed to lodge 78 families. Presently the building houses about 450 families, which is an indication of the population density in Shanghai.
The building is of much interest to the people studying the architectural history of Shanghai. The building is also important to the historians since it one of the few representatives of a dying breed. So if you are interested in the history, culture and custom of Shanghai, make it a point to visit the century-old lane houses of the city like Cite Bourgogne.