A 74-year-old slaughterhouse is being turned into a retail market for luxury goods that is scheduled to open in July, project managers said yesterday.
The new shopping center, called 1933 Old Millfun, will house jewelry and car shops as well as Western restaurants and other expensive outlets, managers said.
"We want to give visitors a unique feeling in this unique construction," said Zhou Jieyan, a manager with Shanghai Creative Industry Investment Company.
The company, which has invested more than 80 million yuan (US$10.5 million) in a one-year facelift of the slaughterhouse, is made up of a consortium that includes government-backed Shanghai Creative Industry Center, Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation and a British company.
The abattoir, which is one of more than 600 buildings in the city protected by the municipal government, was designed by British architects and built in 1933. It is located at 10 Shajing Road, a small road running along a river in Hongkou District.
The main building of the abattoir is five stories tall with a 24-sided courtyard in the center.
The courtyard will be used to display large goods or performances, managers said.
An elevator used to move cattle will allow large items such as cars to be moved to any floor within the main building.