Bookshop and cafe in iconic apartment block open to public
Zhu Ling, general manager with the Xingfuli Culture and Innovation Development Co, introduces the newly opened Blackstone Apartments bookstore at the Hui Forum on Saturday.
More than 1,000 people braved weekend rain to visit the now open, renovated, century-old Blackstone Apartments in downtown Xuhui District.
The eclectic-style building on Fuxing Road M. was built in 1924 by American missionary James Harry Blackstone. It was dubbed the "finest apartment house in China" with a foreign butler service, elevators and central heating, along with a tennis court, ballroom, restaurant and heated swimming pool.
The six-story concrete building, with 31 suites, was once home to the consul general of Switzerland, US marine officers and Xiong Xiling, then premier of the Republic of China. Foreign celebrities often hosted banquets or social events.
The ground level has been converted into a bookstore and cafe, while residents live on the upper floors. The apartment is a key part of the Blackstone Music Plus innovation park, which will become home to music institutes and workshops.
"Despite the COVID-19 outbreak, there are over 1,000 daily visitors to the newly opened bookstore named 'Nice to Meet You' on weekends, and half of the number on weekdays," said Zhu Ling, general manager with the Xingfuli Culture and Innovation Development Co.
Xuhui District government held its monthly Hui Forum inside the bookstore on Saturday to introduce the newly opened historic site as well as the blueprint for the surrounding area. This features the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, the Music Middle School Affiliated to Shanghai Conservatory of Music and other music and culture institutes.
The forum was broadcast live on the internet to avoid a mass gathering, but many people attended to take photos.
The bookstore was created from two 130-square-meter apartments, while the cafe was built in the former swimming pool and gym. A former corridor, laid with iconic mosaic tiles, is now the entrance.
The preserved mosaic floors of the Blackstone Apartments bookstore.
The original wooden windows with metal frames have also been preserved in the bookstore.
"After its opening on March 1, there were only 10 visitors a day with daily sales amounting to 100 yuan due to the COVID-19," Zhu said. "The number of visitors increased after the Qingming Festival and the bookstore has become an Internet sensation now."
A unique vinyl record room has been built, where visitors can wear a specialized earphone to listen to vinyl records. The section is a cooperation with the China Record Group Co., who provides the records.
The Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, which is opposite the building has opened a gift shop where visitors can buy innovative products and souvenirs.
Zhou Ping, director of the orchestra, said the gift shop has become a new channel to keep communicating with its audiences during the pandemic. Live performances have been suspended during the pandemic.
Zhou said the orchestra has also been providing online master classes and live broadcasts.
"The public demands for music has increased during the pandemic," Zhou said.
Xie Bin, a psychologist with the Shanghai Mental Health Center, told the forum that at the current stage of the pandemic, music and literature can bring psychological comfort to the public.
"People will undergo anxiety and fright at the beginning of the pandemic, followed by restlessness and then reach final calm," Xie said. "Listening to music or reading books can help us reach that peace of heart."
The entrance to the bookstore and cafe in the Blackstone Apartments.
The mosaics in the entrance.
The iconic Blackstone Apartments.
A historic photo of the Blackstone Apartments which was built in 1924.
