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Metropol Cinema

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Hidden within the bustling heart of Shanghai, the Metropol Cinema whispers tales of a bygone era. The original Metropol Cinema graced Shanghai’s city center before 1934. Its legacy continued, finding a new home in 2014 on the 8th floor of a building at 500 Xizang Zhong Lu, near People’s Square. The Metropol Cinema wasn’t the only entertainment venue bearing the name. Another establishment, the Metropole Theatre, existed on Thibet Road. This road, now known as Xizhang Road, housed a hub of activity, including the Metropole Hotel. This hotel, built in 1930, stood at the crossroads of Foochow (now Fuzhou) and Kiangse (now Jiangxi) Roads. Designed by Palmer and Turner, the same architects behind the Cathay Hotel, the Metropole Hotel became a landmark. Its American Bar, a popular gathering spot, reflected the vibrant social scene of pre-war Shanghai. The area pulsed with life, with the American Club, American Chamber of Commerce, and the International Settlement’s administrative offices nearby. While the original Metropol Cinema may be gone, its name echoes in the modern Metropol Cinema, a testament to Shanghai’s enduring love for entertainment.

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