The reinvention of a historic compound

Shanghai has in recent decades earned itself a reputation for masterfully restoring old compounds and turning them into popular attractions.

Some of these venues include Xintiandi in the city's downtown area and 1933 Shanghai in Hongkou district.

Columbia Circle, a compound that was designed by American architect Elliott Hazzard in the 1920s, is among the latest projects the city has undertaken.

Located along Yan'an West Road, Colombia Circle is a historically important site as it used to be a community hub for Shanghai's American community.

After the founding of the People's Republic of China, the compound served as an office space for the Shanghai Biological Products for nearly six decades.

When the institute vacated the premises in 2014, the compound and its surrounding areas remained vacant until real estate group Vanke renovated it in 2016.