A project to move an 80-year-old building about 40 meters away from its original site has begun in Shanghai. The historic structure is being saved from a regeneration push in the area.

The six-story red brick Zhengguanghe Building is to be moved 38.5 meters away. The old building's architecture, which can be found in other parts of Shanghai, hints strongly to its creator.

It was built in 1933 as the warehouse of the Zhengguanghe soda factory. In 1999, the building was named "valuable historical building of Shanghai". With the neighborhood now undergoing a facelift, authorities had to make a decision. Unwilling to tear the structure down, they chose to place it at the edge of the block.

Moving a building weighing over 12,000 tons is about as hard as it sounds. Never before has such a structure of this size been moved in Shanghai.

12 lifting jacks are placed on the eastern side of the building, while 16 are on the southern side. Each is capable of lifting 200 tons.

Many locals have come to witness the titanic efforts involved in moving the huge structure.

For 76-year-old Zhang Jiguo, the building is more than just cold stones: it's a glimpse into the past.

The project will last 20 days. The foundations will be reinforced, to ensure it stands the test of time, for many more decades to come.

How to balance the need for city development and preservation of historical building is always a challenge for many cities. Because they are gone, they would never come back. Moving them instead of demolishing them offers another solution to keep the history in the city.

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)