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China property
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Commercial property projects touting ‘preservation’ as underlying theme sprout across China

  • Developers add some elements of preservation to make projects special and give them a theme, says architectural conservationist Candy Chan
  • Swire Properties is working on a US$1.58 billion urban regeneration project in the historic mainland Chinese city of Xian

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Swire Properties is undertaking a commercial project in the historic heart of Xian, Shaanxi province. Photo: Reuters
Lam Ka-sing

Real estate developments that combine preservation of historic landmarks are becoming popular in China, with some companies taking a keen interest in such projects.

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Swire Properties is working on a 10 billion yuan (US$1.58 billion) development in the historic mainland Chinese city of Xian, after its urban regeneration projects in Chengdu and Shanghai.

The Hong Kong-listed developer and its joint venture partner, state-owned Xi’an Cheng Huan Cultural Investment and Development Company, will develop Taikoo Li Xi’an, a mixed-use project at the Small Wild Goose Pagoda historical and cultural zone in the city’s Beilin district.

Large-scale preservation may not be at the core of such commercial real estate projects, but developers add some elements about preservation and a theme to make them special, said Candy Chan, vice-president of external affairs at The Hong Kong Institute of Architectural Conservationists and director at Property Conservation Co.

Swire Properties’ Taikoo Li Chengdu combines some historic architectural elements. Photo: Handout
Swire Properties’ Taikoo Li Chengdu combines some historic architectural elements. Photo: Handout
She pointed out that the Sino-Ocean Taikoo Li Chengdu and Tian’an Sunshine Plaza in Shanghai have kept historic elements that have been well-received by the public. There will be more such projects not only in the mainland, but also other parts of the world, she added.
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The Small Wild Goose Pagoda, a Unesco World Heritage Site, along with the Jianfu Temple built during the Tang dynasty, form an integral part of the Xian Museum, a popular tourist attraction.

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