Union Building

The beginning

Why was it built here?

The historic name points to the National Christian Council. The housing register gives 1923, and the official guide records long institutional use. With the nearby YWCA and publishers it reveals a social network beyond Bund finance.[1] [2]

This is Union Building at 169 Yuanmingyuan Road, distinct from the namesake on the Bund. 1923 is the register’s construction date, not the arrival year of every institution.[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. 1923

   Building and historical use

   The historic name points to the National Christian Council. The housing register gives 1923, and the official guide records long institutional use. With the nearby YWCA and publishers it reveals a social network beyond Bund finance.[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

   This is Union Building at 169 Yuanmingyuan Road, distinct from the namesake on the Bund. 1923 is the register’s construction date, not the arrival year of every institution.[1] [2]

Shanghai and the world

Put the building back into its block

Follow the repeated window bays across the broad front and see how horizontal cornices hold them together. Compare the proportions with the taller-looking YWCA: institutional offices can have very different expressions.[1] [2]