Leopold Building

Leopold Building was once seen as a skyscraper in Tianjin. It was owned by Swiss-born Jewish businessman Marcel Leopold. The construction of the building started around 1936-1938, designed by French architect P·Mulle. The multi-purpose building is consists of offices and condo apartments. The design and concept was considered modern at its time.

After communist took over the control of the city, Marcel Leopold was prisoned. After spedning two and half years in prison, the communist government extracted all his profits. He left China and went back to Switzerland. In making plenty of money in his lifetime, Marcel Leopold made plenty of enemies too. He was later murdered while at home. (Read more: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,891357,00.html#ixzz0gp4ovwYn)

Tianjin Chengli

A View of Chengli, Tianjin.

Northern Liberty Road

Buildings on Northern Liberty Road in Tianjin, China.

Colorful Tianjin

The striking color of new area in Tianjin, China.

China Skyline

China Sky

Looking up into the sky in Tianjin, one could hardly see the ancient skyline anymore. Most part of the old town disappeared in the ashes of history. The modern development is an unstoppable force. When you pass by the ancient part of the town, it feels to close yet so distant. The past has long gone and it’s more of an idea than real emotional attachment. The symbol lost its meaning.

Skyscrapers

Compare to other metropolitans in China, Tianjin started development a little later. But the city is booming in recent years, the government started rapid development, the city is under-construction. In the picture, you can see the skysrappers rising to the sky.

Marble Boat

The marble boat you see in the picture is a riverside lakeside pavilion on Hai River in Tianjin, China

watchtower

A watchtower that overlooks Dongli Lake in Tianjin, China.

grass hair building

A grass hair building in the former commercial street in Tianjin.

Tianjin Club

People’s Congress Building, Tianjin (Liberation North Road, No. 201) was originally named Tianjin Club (an entertainment center for the British). It was first built in 1860, later reconstructed in 1905. British expatriates held balls (therefore, it’s also known as The British Ball Room), concerts. Occasional it’s also used as a theater performance venue.

The building has symmetrical layout, window wall between the uniform layout of Ionic capitals emphasized the vertical composition, rich facade decorations, as well as arch doors and windows, reflect the typical architectural style of eclecticism.

Tianjin Club full view

After the British left, the building was occupied by The Chinese Communist Party. After years of poor maintenance, many parts of building were damaged.

Tientsin Club and Astor House Hotel, Tientsin in 1902

The economic reform helped the city gain understand about historic preservation. The new generation of local government officials restored the building, and now it looks as it was once appeared in postcard.