Xizai Apartment

Xizai Apartment was built in 1935 in the Modernist architectural style, covering a land area of 270 square meters. The five‑story brick‑concrete structure features a symmetrical façade, balanced proportions, and a dignified overall appearance. It extensively employs cantilevered concrete elements for eaves and balconies, topped with a flat roof. The upper floor is stepped back to form a spacious south‑facing terrace. The exterior walls are finished in yellow textured cement stucco, while the ground‑level skirt is decorated with horizontal red striations finely carved into the panels. The main entrance is gently curved to guide visitors inward, and arched doorways are used throughout the interior.

Originally owned by the Catholic Church, this historical association lends a subtle religious sensibility to the arched passages. Inside the corridors, dim light filters through the circular door and window panes, creating an atmosphere of quiet serenity tinged with solemnity. After the founding of the People’s Republic, the building served as residential quarters for cadres of the Shanghai Public Security Bureau. It is now used as private housing.