Lee鈥檚 ancestral home open to the public
Print Edition
The old home of legendary martial artist Bruce Lee鈥檚 family in the city of Guangzhou, south China鈥檚 Guangdong Province, has been turned into a museum after a demolition plan was averted.
The 207-square-meter house, which was vacant for years on the old street of Yongqing Fang, has recently opened to the public for free after a renovation that began in December.
鈥淭he renovation aimed to restore the ancestral home to the greatest extent and reproduce its original layout,鈥 said Yu Minfeng, vice general manager of the Guangzhou branch of Chinese property developer Vanke.
The company in charge of the project said most iconic structures of the brick-and-wooden house, including carved girders and colorful glass screens, had been retained. The Lee family stories, his kung fu learning and posters of his movies are displayed.
The house, built in the early 20th century, was owned by Lee鈥檚 father Li Haiquan, a famous Cantonese Opera performer.
Subtle approach
The residence is the main attraction on Yongqing Fang, whose arcade-style buildings are evidence of Guangzhou鈥檚 interaction with the West during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).
Now bustling with cafes and boutiques, the street has represented a new, more subtle approach to renovating rundown urban areas, instead of the often-employed demolition and reconstruction.
鈥淚t is the first time Guangzhou has avoided a surgery-like renovation that rips apart the street鈥檚 belly in old urban areas,鈥 said Deng Kanqiang, deputy director of the city鈥檚 planning and natural resources bureau.
In 2006, the Guangzhou city government put Enning Road, where Yongqing Fang is located, on its list of city overhauls.
The initial demolition plan, despite being more viable economically, was dropped due to resistance from residents.
After Enning Road was named a historical and cultural street in 2013, a new strategy of 鈥渞enovating while restoring the original look鈥 was adopted for Yongqing Fang despite the higher costs.
鈥淩enovating costs 10,000 yuan (US$1,450) for 1 square meter in Yongqing Fang, which is more than three times the cost of reconstruction,鈥 Yu said.
To make ends meet, Yongqing Fang leased out its commercial spaces.
According to Vanke, over 95 percent of the street鈥檚 shop space has been rented out.
With 10,000 visitors a day, the project largely recouped its costs in 2018.
Lin Yanxia, 69, who has lived in Yongqing Fang for more than 30 years, is glad that the renovation project has rejuvenated the neighborhood and drawn back young people.
鈥淚 hope my grandson will also enjoy Guangzhou鈥檚 traditional culture here,鈥 Lin said.
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