Rockbund

Rockbund is a group of historic buildings in the former foreign concession, just north of the city’s famous riverside boulevard. Lining one side of a street, they reflect the variety of the colonial architecture of the period, in which European styles were combined with Asian elements. A team of international architects has revitalised the area with offices, apartments, cafés, restaurants and shops, opening it to the riverfront and its park.

The British design team was commissioned to restore, upgrade and convert eleven of these buildings, including a former museum building now housing an art museum.

The aim was to present buildings that have aged with dignity and style. Later changes were removed and the buildings returned to their earlier state, and the façades were carefully cleaned and repaired without destroying the original fabric. Some roof structures were extended to suit new uses, with bright white interiors set behind the historic fronts.