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September 22, 2018

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Nowhere in the world that had more comfortable apartments

THERE are only two cities in the world where there has been an equal change in the building situated compared to Shanghai — namely Los Angeles and Detroit. In neither of those cities, however, has there been such a reversal of local architectural styles as there has been here on the banks of the Whangpoo.

For half a century previous to 1920 the standardized form of dwelling house was a blue and grey brick structure. A door through which more than one family would enter their homes was indeed a rarity. Steam heat, modern flush toilets and apartment houses all came in about the same time, and curiously enough the British population, which in its own country is so thoroughly wedded to the old-fashioned fireplace, where you toast the front half of your body and freeze the rear part, has been the most insistent of all nationalities in Shanghai in demanding steam heat. The British have also vied with Americans in preferring the apartment style of living to the old-fashioned high-ceilinged house with many rooms, but mostly was built in Shanghai, the skyline has been entirely changed. Nowhere in the world are more comfortable and up-to-date apartment houses to be found than here in Shanghai.

 




 

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