“Japan-Judah-style” really was a thing. That’s what they called the architectural style of 5号楼. The Nissin Building at Number 5 The Bund. It stands at the junction of the Bund and Guangdong Road.
The Bund is a waterfront area. It is a protected historical district in central Shanghai. This area has a significant European influence. Many structures are comparable to those of European cities. Gothic Baroque and Neoclassical styles are all present.
Let’s focus on 5号楼. This six-story building has a rich history. The site spans 1280 square meters. It was once home to a Japanese fire insurance company.
In the early 20th century, several British firms bought and sold the land. The Japanese shipping company Nisshin Kisen Kaisha planned the building. Funds were short. A Jewish merchant agreed to fund half the costs for three stories. Construction started in 1921. It finished in 1925. Lester Johnson and Morriss were the architects. The building offers 5484 square meters of floor space.
Interestingly a Japanese entrepreneur wanted to open a Turkish bath and restaurant. It would have been in the basement. World War II changed everything. The China Merchants Steam Navigation Company took over 5号楼.
After 1949 the Shanghai Maritime Bureau owned the building. They used it until the 1990s. Then they moved to Pudong. The building was leased to firms like Huaxia Bank. A gate was added to the south.
Look closely at 5号楼’s facade. It blends Japanese and Western elements. Granite covers the entire exterior. The lower three stories are simpler. The upper floors feature reliefs and granite columns.
Today the Bund is one of Shanghai’s most prominent features. It is viewed from the Shanghai World Financial Center. Imagine the bustling activity of the 1920s. Foreign trade. Cultural exchange. 5号楼 played its part.
The term “Bund” comes from Hindustani. It means embankment. The Chinese name means “outer bank”. This distinguished it from the old city’s “inner bank”.
Remember the Bund housed many foreign banks and trading houses. They came from the United Kingdom France and the United States. Also from Italy Russia Germany Japan the Netherlands and Belgium. Imagine the powerful people who walked these streets.
The Bund is more than just buildings. It is a symbol of Shanghai’s history. From treaty port to modern metropolis. 5号楼 stands as a reminder of this journey. A blend of cultures and commerce.