Ma’s Residence on Shangtang Street

Ma’s Residence on Shangtang Street

Ma’s Residence on Shangtang Street is a Suzhou Municipal Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Ma’s Residence on Shangtang Street

It is situated at No. 85, Shangtang Street, Nantai Tan Shang, Changshu City — a historical and cultural district of Suzhou. The residence faces west and was built during the late Qing and early Republican period. The existing structure has five courtyards, comprising the entrance hall (gatehouse), front hall (carriage hall), main hall, inner hall (passageway), tower hall (multi-story hall), and a study. To the south of the third courtyard (main hall) and the fourth courtyard (inner hall) lies a section of service alleyway. Prior to restoration, the total land area was approximately 1,225.40 square meters, with a total building area of about 1,273.47 square meters. The architectural structure is traditional brick-and-timber construction with lime-plastered walls. The overall appearance of Ma’s Residence is characterized by its plain white walls and dark tiles, reflecting an unadorned elegance. It stands as one of the more intact traditional residential buildings in the Nantai Tan Shang historical and cultural district. The residence consists of five large courtyards, making it significant for the study of the living environments and architectural layouts of affluent residents in Changshu during the late Qing and early Republican period. It was designated as a Changshu Municipal Cultural Relics Protection Unit in June 2009.