Lyceum Building

The beginning

Why was it built here?

“Lyceum” links the address to an early theatre, while the standing building belongs to a later office redevelopment. Distinguish the theatre site, this building and today’s Lyceum Theatre on Maoming South Road: related histories, different buildings.[1] [2]

A 2014 survey lists 1927; the 2022 Huangpu account gives construction in 1930 and completion in 1931. Original completion records have not been obtained, so the difference remains explicit.[1] [2]

Look up, then look closer

Three details worth a closer look

One building, changing roles

Read the building through time

Captions distinguish photographic dates from publication dates; periods without reliable images are covered in the text.

1. Late 1920s–early 1930s; records differ

   Building and historical use

   “Lyceum” links the address to an early theatre, while the standing building belongs to a later office redevelopment. Distinguish the theatre site, this building and today’s Lyceum Theatre on Maoming South Road: related histories, different buildings.[1] [2]

2. 2006–2023 · district renewal

   Restoration as a new chapter of use

   The architect distinguishes façade restoration from later completion of the wider project. Renewal also includes alleys and public spaces: the street and the block interior offer different scales of understanding. Wider project dates, not seventeen years of continuous work on this building[3]

3. 2026-10-26

   Check before visiting

   A 2014 survey lists 1927; the 2022 Huangpu account gives construction in 1930 and completion in 1931. Original completion records have not been obtained, so the difference remains explicit.[1] [2]

Shanghai and the world

Put the building back into its block

The small roof tower identifies it in the continuous street wall. Follow the pale bands down through the window rows, then find upper arches and pediments. The distant street silhouette and close details offer different readings.[1] [2]