Overview

Shanghai Apartment, Shanghai Heritage Apartment, Residential
Property Type

1
Bedroom

1
Bathroom

90
Area Size

Description

Property	Wukang Mansion / Wukang Building (武康大楼)
Address	1850 Huaihai Middle Road, Xuhui District
Built	1924
Architect	László Hudec (邬达克)
Heritage Status	Shanghai Outstanding Historical Building (1994)
Layout	1 bedroom, 1 living room, 1 bathroom
Size	90 sqm
Outdoor Space	South-facing balcony
Features	Original fireplace, teak floors, original window frames, walk-in closet, storage room
Heating/Cooling	Central AC
Rent	28,000 RMB/month

This is a rare south-facing one-bedroom unit in Shanghai’s most photographed residential building.

The Wukang Building, originally the Normandy Apartments, was designed by László Hudec and completed in 1924. It is the city’s first gallery-style apartment block and one of its most enduring architectural landmarks. A 2019 restoration returned the facade to its original appearance and removed the overhead cables that had obscured it for decades.

The Unit

The apartment has 90 square meters across one bedroom, one living room, and one bathroom. It includes a walk-in closet and a separate storage room.

The renovation follows a “repair as old” approach. The original fireplace, teak floors, and original door and window frames have all been retained, giving the space the weight and texture of the 1920s. The furniture and soft furnishings are new, and modern systems have been installed throughout: central AC, whole-house filtered drinking water, a washer-dryer combo, an oven, and a dishwasher.

The Balcony and the View

The unit has a south-facing balcony, directly facing the former residence of Soong Ching-ling. The double-bay layout and the balcony itself are rare in this building, and the view across to the historic garden villa is the defining feature of the apartment.

A Note on the Building’s History

This particular layout is said to be the model for the residence in Eileen Chang’s Red Rose, White Rose, and Chang is said to have visited the building. Whether or not one takes that as fact, it speaks to the cultural weight the address carries — and to why the building has become one of Shanghai’s most photographed and filmed locations.

That also makes it unusual among residential buildings: it attracts visitors year-round. For some tenants that is part of the appeal. For someone running a small studio, a design practice, or a media business, the foot traffic and the recognisable address are a genuine commercial asset. For someone seeking complete quiet, it is worth considering.

The rent is 28,000 RMB per month. The owner is looking for a tenant who will care for the apartment.

Location

Destination	Time
Changshu Road Station (Lines 1, 7)	8-10 min walk
Shanghai Library Station (Line 10)	8-10 min walk
Anfu Road / Wukang Road cafes	2-5 min walk
Huaihai Road shopping	5-8 min walk

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