Sun Yat-sen’s Former Residence

Sun Yat-sen’s Former Residence

Sun Yat-sen’s Former Residence is a protected cultural heritage site in Shanghai.

In the 1920s, with the global construction boom, Shanghai attracted a number of renowned foreign architects. Among them was a Hungarian architect named László Hudec, who became widely known in Shanghai for his emphasis on innovative architectural designs and his advocacy for new styles. The Bund Savings Society Building (also known as the Park Hotel), the Grand Theatre, and the Green House (also known as the Wu Tongwen Residence) all caused quite a sensation under his design. In 1920, Hudec designed and built a residence for himself at No. 22 Columbia Road (now No. 1262 Yan’an West Road, formerly No. 22 Panyu Road), but he did not move in immediately. Later, Hudec encountered difficulties while designing the Moore Memorial Church, which were resolved with the help of Sun Yat-sen. To show his gratitude, Hudec transferred this house to Sun Yat-sen.

Sun Yat-sen’s residence is a hybrid-style building, notable for seamlessly integrating different architectural styles into one structure. It is a brick-and-wood composite building with a pseudo-three-story layout, covering a construction area of 1,051 square meters. With its gently sloping roof, red barrel tiles, and ornate eaves, the building appears to follow the Spanish architectural style. However, the varied window frames—including flat arches, round arches, circular arcs, Baroque curves, and the symmetrical arrangement of doors and windows on the facade, along with three pointed arches on the ground floor and the vaulted ceiling on the second floor—show characteristics of Italy’s late Renaissance style. Meanwhile, the overall horizontal lines, the use of stucco on the exterior walls, and the combination of triangular and stepped gables reflect elements of American colonial architecture. The residence also features traditional Chinese architectural elements, such as classic Chinese lattice windows and typical Chinese decorative panels. These wooden partitions create cozy spaces that blend harmoniously with the outdoor environment, offering a sense of openness reminiscent of Chinese ink-wash paintings. Therefore, this residence can be considered a hybrid structure that embodies both the late Renaissance style of Italy and America and the traditional Chinese architectural style.

The grand northern entrance porch is particularly imposing, with its rustic and solid arched gate that tapers toward the top, creating the effect of a vaulted entrance. The southern side of the ground floor has three large rooms, the central one of which leads to an inner balcony. The large room on the eastern side is especially distinctive, featuring a change in floor level, exposed beams, and wooden brackets on the ceiling. Two short Corinthian columns on either side support a large pointed arch, forming a striking focal point in the interior decoration. The ground floor corridor is paved with bricks, and the main staircase leading to the second floor is located on the western side. The central room on the second floor opens to the inner balcony, with a small en-suite room to the southeast, a large en-suite room with a bathroom to the west, and a hallway on the east side that includes a closet and storage room.

The interior of the house is exquisitely furnished. Bedrooms, the living room, and the study all feature parquet floors inlaid with merbau wood, while the teak staircase is adorned with carvings, showcasing fine craftsmanship. The interior design emphasizes spatial division and wall color schemes, highlighting the interplay between dynamic indoor space and the outdoor environment. As a result, the residence enjoys excellent ventilation and lighting conditions.

In 1949, before leaving Shanghai, Sun Yat-sen sold this property on Panyu Road, which later became the Shanghai Branch of the Nationalist Central Epidemic Prevention Bureau. After the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, it has been used as the Shanghai Institute of Biological Products under the Ministry of Health since 1953 and remains so to this day.

On September 25, 1989, Sun Yat-sen’s Former Residence was listed as a protected cultural heritage site in Shanghai as an outstanding example of modern architecture.

Sun Yat-sen (1891.10.20–1973.9.13), courtesy name Zéshēng, was a native of Zhongshan, Guangdong, and the only son of Sun Wen (Sun Yat-sen). He joined the Tongmenghui (Chinese Revolutionary Alliance) in 1910, served as the first Mayor of Guangzhou in 1917, and was reappointed to the position in 1923 and 1926. In 1931, he became the Premier of the Nanjing Nationalist Government, and in 1932, he served as Minister of Railways, advocating for speedy cooperation between the Nationalists and Communists to resist Japan. In 1947, he was appointed Vice Chairman of the Nanjing Nationalist Government. He resigned in 1949 and lived in Hong Kong, France, and the United States. In 1965, he became a senior advisor to the Taiwan “Presidential Office.” He passed away on September 1, 1973... More details about Sun Yat-sen ++