Wukang Building, a century of elegance

On this city walk, we arrived at Xuhui District, shaded by sycamore trees, where a triangular building stands proudly in the distance. Known as "Shanghai's Most Beautiful Corner," the Wukang Building was built in 1924 and is located on Wukang Road in the former French Concession. It is a representative work of the famous overseas architect László Hudec during his time living in Shanghai. Not only is it Shanghai’s first exterior corridor apartment building, but it also condenses a century of Shanghai-style culture into a "museum" and served as a filming location for the famous movie "Lust, Caution." Now a landmark carrying a hundred years of history, it remains the most elegant urban icon. The red brick exterior, semi-circular balconies, and French ironwork decorations exude a vintage charm. To this day, the building is still residential, with residents living inside, so entry for sightseeing is not allowed out of respect for the locals. Whenever I pass by this building, I can’t help but be deeply attracted to it. It is a witness to Shanghai’s century-old history, as if telling me stories of a hundred years, taking me through the golden age of old Shanghai, narrating its changes and the golden era of old Shanghai. Whether gazing at the historical details of the architecture or holding a latte in a corner café watching the busy street, this building always conveys a lazy yet refined posture, helping you understand the elegance and inclusiveness at the core of Shanghai. 📍 Address: 1850 Huaihai Middle Road, Xuhui District 🚇 Metro: Line 10/11, Traffic University Station, Exit 7, 5-minute walk