Commercial property projects touting ‘preservation’ as underlying theme sprout across China

Developers add some elements of preservation to make projects special and give them a theme, says architectural conservationist Candy Chan

Swire Properties is working on a US$1.58 billion urban regeneration project in the historic mainland Chinese city of Xian

Reading Time:2 minutes

Swire Properties is undertaking a commercial project in the historic heart of Xian, Shaanxi province. Photo: Reuters

Published: 8:30am, 9 Mar 2022

Real estate developments that combine preservation of historic landmarks are becoming popular in China, with some companies taking a keen interest in such projects.

Swire Properties is working on a 10 billion yuan (US$1.58 billion) development in the historic mainland Chinese city of Xian, after its urban regeneration projects in Chengdu and Shanghai.

The Hong Kong-listed developer and its joint venture partner, state-owned Xi’an Cheng Huan Cultural Investment and Development Company, will develop Taikoo Li Xi’an, a mixed-use project at the Small Wild Goose Pagoda historical and cultural zone in the city’s Beilin district.

Large-scale preservation may not be at the core of such commercial real estate projects, but developers add some elements about preservation and a theme to make them special, said Candy Chan, vice-president of external affairs at The Hong Kong Institute of Architectural Conservationists and director at Property Conservation Co.

Swire Properties’ Taikoo Li Chengdu combines some historic architectural elements. Photo: Handout

She pointed out that the Sino-Ocean Taikoo Li Chengdu and Tian’an Sunshine Plaza in Shanghai have kept historic elements that have been well-received by the public. There will be more such projects not only in the mainland, but also other parts of the world, she added.

Select Voice

Choose your listening speed

Get through articles 2x faster

1.25x

250 WPM

Slow

Average

Fast

00:0000:00

1.25x