The end of Fuxing Zhong lu, the former Rue Lafayette of the French Concession of Shanghai was a pretty upscale area in Old Shanghai. It is even mentionned in movie “Love and Duty” as the place of living of local wealthy residents.
There are a number of old luxury apartement buildings in the area. I recently managed to sneak into one of them that is usually closed: Elisabeth Apartements on 1327 Route Lafayette (today Fuxing Zhong lu / 复兴中路).
I had noticed this building since a long time thanks to its unusual shape. It has recently been repainted, giving it a much better look. Built in 1939, Elisabeht Apartments is clearly modernist or late art deco style. It is very distinctive with an angular shape dividing the façade, and round shapes on both sides.Those must be stair cases that point out of the main structure.
Windows of the round structure are forming columns with decoration between the openings.
The building side on Route Lafayette is the main façade, facing North. The other side facing south is much less decorated. It is still noticeable with it corner Crittal-style windows.
I was really lucky as the entrance door was open, so I sneak in. The inside of the building has been well kept, along the years. It has probably been renovated at some point, but do not seem to have been altered much. The staircase is late art-deco like the outside.
The angled shaped window in the corridor is even more amazing from the inside. The steel frame is also a great exemple of Crittal-style window, that are quite common in Shanghai old buildings.
Original doors have been kept, for most appartements, with flat numbers having a special frame.
I managed to reach the fantastic terrace overlooking the city, with its art deco chimneys… before being chased away by an old guy that was really not happy to find me in his space.
Although Elisabeth apartments has been featured in the number of books, it is less know that its famous neighboor, Blackstone Apartments. Searching the internet, I found that Elisabeth appartements was designed by Russian architect Wladimir Livin-Goldenstaedt (1878–1965). Although much less well known that Laszlo Hudec, Leonard & Vesseyre and Palmer & Turner, he contributed to many art deco buildings in the French Concession. More information about him and his work can be found following this link to Katya Knyazeva’s project : https://sites.google.com/view/russianshanghai/architects/a-l/w-f-livin-goldenstaedt
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