Property Name: Art Apartment (艺术公寓) Location: Lane 17, Hengshan Road, Xuhui District / Former French Concession, Shanghai Building: 12-story European-style building completed in 1999, tucked away among old villas Layout: 3 bedrooms, 2 living rooms, 2 bathrooms Size: Approximately 147 square meters Key Features: Wall heating (radiators), private balcony Rent: 20,000 RMB per month Listing Type: Owner direct (业主直租) – no agency fee
Overview
Presenting a spacious 147 square meter 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom apartment in the Art Apartment (艺术公寓) – a quiet, well-located building on tree-lined Hengshan Road in the heart of the Former French Concession.
The Art Apartment building is a hidden gem in the FFC. Completed in 1999, this 12-story European-style building houses just 96 units across 2 towers, offering a low-density, peaceful living environment . Tucked away on a side lane off Hengshan Road, it’s known for its quiet, artistic atmosphere and proximity to everything the FFC has to offer .
This particular unit features a comfortable 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom layout with wall heating (radiators) – a reliable alternative to underfloor heating that provides steady warmth during Shanghai’s winters. A private balcony offers outdoor space for morning coffee or evening relaxation.
This listing is offered directly by the owner (业主直租) , meaning the tenant pays no agency fee – saving approximately 35% of one month’s rent (about 7,000 RMB).
Property Highlights – Quick Overview
Feature
Details
Location
Hengshan Road, Former French Concession / Xuhui
Building type
Low-density elevator building (12 floors, 2 towers)
Total units in building
96
Completion year
1999-2000
物业费 (Management Fee)
~4-5 RMB/sqm/month (in addition to rent)
绿化率 (Greenery)
~10%
Layout
3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Size
147 sqm
Heating
Wall heating (radiators)
Outdoor space
Private balcony
Listing type
Owner direct – no agency fee
Rent
20,000 RMB/month
The Art Apartment Building – What Makes It Special
The Art Apartment building (艺术公寓) holds a unique position in the Hengshan Road area:
Hidden location – Tucked away at Lane 17, Hengshan Road, in the same block as the popular Zapata’s bar, the building is masked by old villas and not immediately visible from the main road . This provides a quiet, secluded environment despite being in the heart of the city.
Low-density living – With only 96 units across 2 buildings, the complex never feels crowded . This is genuinely low-density for central Shanghai.
Spacious layouts – Units in this building start around 147 sqm and go up to 174 sqm, all with 3-bedroom configurations . This is a building for people who need space.
Artistic reputation – The building’s name and location attract creative professionals, and it’s known in local circles as having a “书香气息” (cultural, bookish atmosphere) .
Individual landlord renovations – Unlike developer-finished compounds, each unit in this building has been renovated individually by its owner. This means every apartment is different – for tenants, this is an opportunity to find unique finishes rather than cookie-cutter layouts .
Location – The Best of the FFC
Destination
Details
Hengshan Road Station (Line 1)
~8-12 minute walk
Shanghai Library Station (Line 10)
~10-12 minute walk
IAPM / Huaihai Road shopping
Walking distance
Wukang Road / Anfu Road cafes
Short walk or bike ride
Jing’an Temple
15-20 minute walk or 1-2 metro stops
The building is situated in a quiet residential pocket but within walking distance of Hengshan Road’s cafes, restaurants, and nightlife, as well as the shopping on Huaihai Road .
Nearby Schools & Amenities
Category
Nearby Options
Kindergartens
Shanghai Xuihui District Private Anqi’er Kindergarten (nearby)
Primary schools
Jianxiang Primary School, Gao’an Road No. 1 Primary School
Hospitals
Fudan University Affiliated Eye & ENT Hospital, Ruijin Hospital
Shopping
IAPM, Parkson Shopping Center
Why This Property Stands Out – Value Comparison
Recent market data for Art Apartment shows a range of asking rents:
Unit
Size
Features
Asking Rent
Source
Similar unit
147 sqm
Unknown
35,800 RMB
2024 listing
3-bed, 2-bath
163.6 sqm
Unknown
26,000-36,000 RMB
2022 listing
3-bed, 2-bath
163 sqm
Unknown
23,000 RMB
2022 listing
This unit
147 sqm
Wall heating, balcony
20,000 RMB
Current
Building average (approx)
N/A
N/A
~31,500 RMB
Sep 2025 estimate
Key takeaway: At 20,000 RMB with no agency fee, this unit is priced significantly below current market comparables (approximately 30-45% below the 2024 listing of 35,800 RMB for a similar-sized unit ). The owner is clearly seeking a quality long-term tenant rather than maximizing rent.
Why Choose This Apartment
Feature
Why It Matters
Owner direct
No agency fee (save ~7,000 RMB)
147 sqm
Genuinely spacious 3-bed – room for family + home office
Wall heating
Winter-ready – no reliance on portable units
Private balcony
Outdoor space in a central FFC location
Low-density building
Only 96 units – quiet, peaceful
Art Apartment name
Unique, recognizable FFC building with character
Hengshan Road location
Quiet side-lane setting but close to everything
Below-market rent
Exceptional value – priced to attract a quality tenant
物业费 separate
~600-735 RMB/month – tenant pays directly
Ideal For
Tenant Type
Why It Works
Expat family
3 bedrooms, wall heating, quiet building, good schools nearby
Professional couple
Extra rooms for home office + guest room
Creative professional
Unique building with artistic reputation
Cost-conscious quality seeker
Below-market rent for a premium FFC address
Important Consideration for Tenants
This property is in a well-maintained building but lacks certain modern features:
Consideration
Note
绿化率
Only ~10% – minimal grounds/garden
Parking
Only 20 parking spaces in the building for 96 units – inquire separately
物业费
Not included in rent – approximately 4-5 RMB/sqm/month extra
Building age
Completed 1999 – well-maintained but not brand new
No clubhouse
No pool, gym, or other compound-style amenities
Rental Terms
Term
Details
Rent
20,000 RMB per month
物业费
Not included – approximately 4-5 RMB/sqm/month (pay directly)
