In the heart of Shanghai, a striking architectural relic has been reborn as a cultural landmark. The 1933 Old Millfun – originally built as a slaughterhouse during the city's industrial heyday – now pulses with artistic energy, its brutalist concrete corridors transformed into galleries, studios, and event spaces.
Designed in 1933 by British architects, the structure blends Art Deco grandeur with functional Bauhaus principles. Its unique features – spiral cattle ramps, sound-dampening passageways, and dramatic skybridges – once served pragmatic purposes but now create an atmospheric backdrop for fashion shoots and cultural events.
This metamorphosis reflects Shanghai's innovative approach to urban renewal. Rather than demolishing historical industrial sites, the city has championed adaptive reuse policies that preserve architectural heritage while meeting modern needs. The Old Millfun stands as a testament to this vision, its transformation mirroring China's broader efforts to balance development with cultural preservation.
Today, the complex attracts diverse visitors: architecture students sketching its geometric patterns, photographers chasing dramatic light effects through its lattice windows, and entrepreneurs leasing avant-garde office spaces. Local authorities report a 40% year-on-year increase in cultural events hosted at the site since 2020.
As Shanghai continues reimagining its urban landscape, the Old Millfun serves as both a physical reminder of the city's industrial past and a dynamic symbol of its creative future.
