“What secrets does the iwoodclub hold?” I wonder. Today, we explore a place with a unique story. It is a story of transformation and reinvention. The iwoodclub stands as a testament to Shanghai’s dynamic spirit.
Originally known as the Shanghai Club Building, this iconic structure boasts a rich history. The Shanghai Club was the premier men’s club for British residents. It was founded in 1861 as The Correspondent’s Club.
In 1864, a three-story red-brick building was erected on this very site. Imagine former United States President Ulysses S. Grant being hosted here during his visit to Shanghai in 1879. In 1905, the Club decided to rebuild.
The old building was torn down in 1909. A new six-story building emerged. It was designed in an English Renaissance style with Baroque Revival elements. The new Shanghai Club Building opened in January 1911. In its heyday, during the 1920s and 1930s, it was the most exclusive club in Shanghai and perhaps East Asia.
The second floor housed the famous “Long Bar.” This unpolished mahogany bar measured 110.7 feet by 39 feet. It was once the world’s longest bar. Noël Coward joked that he could see the Earth’s curvature while laying his cheek on it. The Shanghai Club also offered forty guest rooms on the second and third floors.
Membership was exclusive to white males of a certain class. Even the Long Bar had a strict social hierarchy. The prime Bund-facing end was reserved for tai-pans and bank managers. Social status decreased as one moved down the bar’s length. The first floor featured a massive Italianate Grand Hall. Ceilings soared over 12 feet high, supported by Ionic columns. Twin elevators whisked members to the upper floors. These floors included a smoking room, library, billiards room, and a dining room. The library reportedly held more volumes than the Shanghai Public Library. Guest rooms for resident members occupied the top two floors.
In 1941, war broke out in the Pacific. The Shanghai Club closed and was occupied by Japanese forces. In 1949, the Communist government expropriated the building. It became the International Seamen Club for foreign sailors. By 1971, it was the Dongfeng Hotel. From 1990 to 1996, it housed Shanghai’s first KFC restaurant.
The building sat derelict from 1996. In 2009, Hilton leased it and transformed it into the Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund. The luxury hotel opened in 2011.
Today, the iwoodclub stands within this historic building. It is a space where art and history converge. As we conclude our visit to the iwoodclub, remember its journey. From exclusive club to modern art space, it continues to evolve. The Shanghai Club Building remains an enduring landmark. It reflects the spirit of Shanghai itself.