“How did the Oriental Restaurant transform into the Shanghai Workers’ Culture Palace?” A question that echoes through time and urban change. Today we stand before a building steeped in history. This is the former Oriental Restaurant. It is located at 120 Middle Xizang Road in Shanghai’s Huangpu District.
Let’s embark on a journey. We will explore the fascinating story of the Oriental Restaurant. It stands as a testament to Shanghai’s dynamic past.
The Oriental Restaurant was built in 1929. This seven-story building quickly became a landmark. In 1950, it was repurposed. On September 30th it became the Shanghai Workers’ Culture Palace. This marked a significant shift in its role and identity.
In 1994, the building gained further recognition. It was listed as one of Shanghai’s outstanding historical buildings. Its serial number is A-Ⅱ-050.
The Oriental Restaurant first opened its doors in November 1930. At the time, 120 Xizang Road was part of the Shanghai French Concession. The area teemed with hotels, restaurants and entertainment venues. The Oriental Restaurant was a large complex. It had almost 300 rooms. These rooms had many amenities. The restaurant had both Chinese and Western cuisine. It also featured dance halls and theaters. One theater could accommodate 600 people. In 1930, it employed over 200 people. By 1943, the number of employees had grown to 475.
However, the good times did not last. In 1937, the Battle of Shanghai broke out. It significantly impacted the Oriental Restaurant. Its proximity to the fighting led to a sharp decline in guests. Business suffered.
By early 1950, the Oriental Restaurant was in financial distress. The manager Huang Yuming submitted a report. It detailed the company’s difficulties to the Shanghai Labor Bureau. The report revealed they struggled with operational challenges. They could not afford expenses such as utilities. Debts soared to around 100 million. To cover costs, the restaurant had to sell its assets.
In March 1950, manager Huang Yuming and others left. The staff elected nine people to oversee operations. Internal conflicts arose between the hotel and the bookstore. The Shanghai Labor Bureau tried to mediate but failed.
In May 1950, the board of directors decided to sell the entire property. It included all buildings, assets and land rights. The buyer was the Shanghai Store Employees Union. The total value was 140,000 units. The funds were used to settle debts and compensate employees.
The Shanghai Federation of Trade Unions began preparing to establish the Shanghai Workers’ Culture Palace in February 1950. The initial location was to be the Jinmen Restaurant. However, a major bombing in Shanghai on February 6th, 1950 changed plans. The location was shifted to the Oriental Restaurant.
On October 1st, 1950, the Shanghai Workers’ Culture Palace officially opened. It included various groups. There was a Propaganda Group and a Production Technology Group. There was also a Library Management Group and a Compilation and Review Museum. Other groups included a Sports Group and a Theater. At the time, the Culture Palace also featured a theater with 480 seats. On the second floor were reception rooms and dance halls. There were also music rooms and game rooms. The third floor housed the history museum. It also housed a library, art room and sewing class. It became a hub for cultural and educational activities for workers.
The transformation of the Oriental Restaurant into the Shanghai Workers’ Culture Palace is a landmark. It stands as a symbol of a changing society. Today, it remains a testament to Shanghai’s dynamic history. It is a reminder of the city’s ever-evolving identity.