End of an era for a creative park
Print Edition
THE well-known Red Town creative park on Huaihai Road W. is closing down after nearly a dozen years.
Most of the park’s creative tenants will depart by the end of June as the land has been sold for new development.
The park, formerly Shanghai No. 10 Steel Factory in Changning District, was successfully converted into a home for art galleries, along with cafes, exhibition spaces and offices in November 2005.
Red Town won plaudits for its endeavors in regenerating an old industrial area. Sculptures are scattered around the park, especially at the centerpiece lawn. Its artistic ambience has made it a beloved place for local residents to hang out.
The whole area is expected to become a commercial office complex, though with a cultural and artistic theme, once put into operation in about five years. Construction is set to start by the end of this year.
The current operator of the creative park, Shanghai Redtown Culture Development Co, told Shanghai Daily the tenants had been informed of the decision about three years ago after the land deal transaction. After June the park will be temporarily shut down to prepare for construction work.
“We will do our best to allow some of the functioning areas, like Shanghai Sculpture Space and some galleries, to reopen to the public about three months later,” said Ma Qing, who is the assistant chief executive of the operating company.
Shanghai Sculpture Space itself has protected status and any changes to it would have to be approved by Shanghai Administration of Culture Heritage, the authority said.
Shanghai Minsheng Art Museum, formerly located in the creative park, has already moved to a new venue on Expo Avenue in the Pudong New Area.
“We know this for a long time, but it’s hard to find an ideal place,” said a woman surnamed Yang, who works for a health consulting company near the lawn in the park. “The place is perfect — quiet, artistic and makes you feel comfortable.”
Many local residents share her feelings.
“The open space is a place to breathe,” said Janine He. “I hope it won’t be too commercial or too crowded in future.”
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