Work halted on historic houses
Work has stopped on the two houses and the local housing authority has ordered that they be restored to their original state.
Windows have been removed from the houses on Lane 1522 Nanjing Road W.
Two protected houses damaged during illegal construction will have to be returned to their original state, the housing authority in Jing’an District said on Monday.
Shanghai Television reported the incident after receiving tip-offs from residents at the weekend. Officials were blamed for ignoring illegal construction and allowing workers to damage the facades, change the structure and remove doors, windows and staircases.
The site was closed on Monday. Through a crack in a door, it could be seen that windows and gates had been removed.
The housing authority's historical preservation center said two adjoining houses were involved, No.12 and No.14 on Lane 1522 Nanjing Road W.
They were among four rows of red-tiled-roof terrace houses built in 1930. They had been given historic protection status by the Shanghai government, meaning that the facades and structures couldn’t be changed. The original staircases and interior decorations are also under protection, officials said.
An investigation found that work on a total area of 270 square meters, including the first floor of No.12 and the whole of No.14, was illegal. The property owner had rented the houses to a furniture and décor company.
Workers had excavated the site, trying to add floors, changing the facades and interior layout, and destroying special decorations.
Officials said they received a report on December 9 and had ordered workers to stop construction on December 11. Later that day, urban management officials began to remove illegal structures, finishing on December 12.
Next, officials will talk to the property owner, making it clear that the historic building should be protected and fines will be imposed for violations.
The owner and the tenant will also be told to come up with a restoration plan. After experts and officials approve the plan, they should immediately restore the houses to their original look.
Officials said there would be 24-hour patrols to ensure there is no further illegal construction work.
