“Science first decoration last” was the motto of one of the architects. The Chinese YMCA building stands before us. It represents Shanghai’s modern sports development. It sits at 150 Nanjing West Road. The Chinese YMCA began in 1928.
In the 1920s many Westerners came to Shanghai. They engaged in business missionary work and various activities. By 1920, over 18000 Americans and Europeans lived here.
The American community desired leisure and social space. Americans like Fei Cheui and Locke Fei Le raised funds. They built the Foreign YMCA Building. The building’s completion predated the International Hotel by six years.
Architect An Qiansheng designed the building. He worked for Shanghai’s Hazzard and Fillipps firm. The structure covers over 7000 square meters. The front building has nine floors. The rear building has eleven.
The architectural design follows a segmented style. It divides horizontally into three sections. Vertically, it also presents three parts. The middle upper section recedes. The second and third floors feature giant columns. Arched long windows also adorn these floors. Above the fourth floor are concave-convex strips. These are vertical long windows.
Inside, the Chinese YMCA included changing rooms. There were also exercise rooms and barber shops. A swimming pool reading rooms and libraries existed. Tailor shops and guest rooms were present. A sports hall and swimming pool enhanced the facilities.
Notably, the indoor swimming pool covered about 200 square meters. It was Shanghai’s earliest heated swimming pool.
After its completion the Chinese YMCA became a hub. It became the activity center for young Westerners. Membership required good character and being over 11 years old. All nationalities races and religions were welcome.
The organization frequently connected with Chinese athletes. They held various sports competitions. In February 1932 the eighth public volleyball league took place here. The Chinese YMCA formed a strong team. It beat the formidable Western YMCA team.
The Japanese army took over the building after the Pacific War broke out. After the People’s Republic of China was founded, the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government managed it. In 1953 Mayor Chen Yi arranged the establishment of the Shanghai Sports Club. By the end of 1957, the Shanghai Sports Club officially opened.
Today, it is the Shanghai Sports Building. It also houses the Shanghai Sports Bureau’s offices. The Shanghai Sports Museum exhibition hall is on the second floor.
The Chinese YMCA stands as a landmark. It showcases sports in Shanghai. Its rich history remains etched in its bricks and tiles.