Former Residence of Li Mianzhi

Former Residence of Li Mianzhi

The former residence of Li Mianzhi is a cultural tourism attraction.

The former residence of Li Mianzhi is located at No. 94 Munan Road, Heping District. Built in 1937, it consists of four garden villas in European classical style, which were designed and supervised by Austrian architect Geyling, whom Li hired. After completion, the villas were inhabited by the four siblings: Li Mianzhi, Li Yunzhi, Li Jinzhi, and Li ShenZhi. Each villa has one basement level and three above-ground floors, with a construction area of approximately 1,000 square meters and a courtyard area of 1,000 square meters.

In May 1994, Li ShenZhi, then honorary chairman of the Heping District CPPCC, donated one of the buildings he owned to the Heping District CPPCC free of charge. The building features a granite base, pebble-rendered walls, a steeply pitched pointed roof, and a rooftop terrace. The interior includes high-quality hardwood wainscoting and flooring, with a hexagonal living room that houses an exquisitely crafted fireplace, making it a German-style courtyard villa. The building is currently used as the “Guest House” restaurant and is listed as an immovable cultural relic in Tianjin that has not yet been designated as a protected cultural heritage site.

Li Mianzhi (1898–1976), courtesy name Baoshi, was a native of Tianjin. A patriotic businessman, he held key positions in enterprises such as Huaxin Textile Mill and Zhongtian Electric Machinery Factory. In the early 20th century, Li Mianzhi’s father, Li Ximing, was a well-known and wealthy industrialist in North China. In addition to co-founding Qixin Cement Company with Zhou Xuexi, the former Minister of Finance of the Beiyang Government, and serving as its general manager, Li Ximing also invested heavily in companies such as Kailuan Mining Bureau, Tangshan Huaxin Textile Mill, and Qinhuangdao Yaohua Glass Company. His philosophy of “saving the nation through industry” had a profound influence on Li Mianzhi and Li ShenZhi.

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