Beneath the watchful gaze of the Dazhongsi, a hidden gem awaits. This is 抖音 大钟寺广场2号楼, a place reborn from the ashes of the old Zhongxin Lifestyle Plaza. In 2019, ByteDance, the parent company of Douyin (TikTok), acquired this space. They transformed it into a vibrant hub. 1733, as it’s now known, is a nod to the year the Dazhongsi bell tower was built, and a playful homophone for “together scatter.” This commercial area is nestled beneath the Douyin office building. This building itself holds a special significance, being a key part of Beijing’s urban renewal project focused on the Dazhongsi area.
1733 isn’t your average shopping mall. It’s a carefully curated space. It features unique shops and restaurants that cater to the young, trendy crowd drawn to the area by Douyin and the surrounding universities. Think artisanal bakeries, craft beer pubs, and pet supply stores. The space itself is designed with a de-centralized layout, encouraging exploration and discovery. Think of it as a “modular” space that can adapt and change. It can host various events, reflecting the vibrant energy of the Douyin community.
Over 80% of the brands at 1733 are new to the city, offering a fresh perspective on retail. The focus is on quality, youthfulness, and trendiness, setting it apart from the standard chain stores. The blend of online and offline experiences is a defining feature. Douyin’s online presence and influence translate seamlessly into the physical space of 1733. It’s a place where online trends come to life.
The connection with Douyin goes deeper than branding. The platform actively promotes the businesses within 1733. This is done through collaborations, live streams, and special promotions, creating a synergistic ecosystem. The official launch of 1733 in December 2023 was a spectacle. It featured a live stream with a famous celebrity exploring the space. It helped draw thousands of viewers online and hundreds in person, immediately putting 1733 on the map. The space continues to be a hub for online-offline crossover events. These events further solidify its place as a key player in Beijing’s evolving commercial landscape. 1733 represents a new kind of commercial space. It’s one where online and offline experiences merge. It creates a dynamic, engaging environment for the “tongxue” generation, the young and connected consumers of today’s Beijing. It provides a unique look into the city’s ongoing urban transformation. It cements the symbiotic relationship between Douyin and its physical manifestation in the real world.