Former Residence of Fan Zhuzhai

Former Residence of Fan Zhuzhai

The former residence of Fan Zhuzhai is a cultural tourism attraction.

The former residence of Fan Zhuzhai is located at No. 76 Chifeng Road, Heping District. It is a distinctive passageway-style building. The side facing Chifeng Road features a three-story brick-and-wood structure with a gateway arch, where the middle second floor is relatively low. Upon entering the courtyard, there are three two-story brick-and-wood buildings with semi-basements on all sides. Each building has a wide ten-step stone staircase, which is quite spectacular. The second floor has a winnowing-basket-shaped corridor that connects all three sides, with bottle-pillar-style exterior decorations on the outer side of the corridor. The corridor is fitted with glass windows and louvers. In the northeast corner of the courtyard, there is a round pavilion-style building that harmonizes with the overall architecture, featuring eight graceful Ionic columns on the outside. The rooftop platform has a uniquely shaped circular stone pavilion. The building is currently used by the Tianjin Agricultural Supplies Company and the Tianjin Agricultural Machinery Company, and is listed as an immovable cultural relic in Tianjin that has not yet been designated as a protected cultural heritage site.

Fan Zhuzhai (1869–1949), whose given name was Anrong, was a native of Tianjin with ancestral roots in Fan County, Shandong. At the age of 17, he became an apprentice at Shuangfucheng General Goods Store in Tianjin. In 1901, he served as the Shanghai manager for Jingdehe Cotton Yarn Store. In 1906, he co-founded Ruixingyi Cotton Yarn Store with Jin Guishan and Pan Yaoting, where he served as manager. In 1913, he partnered to establish Tongyixing Yarn Store in Tianjin, serving as its manager, before later transitioning to sole proprietorship. In 1919, Fan Zhuzhai participated in raising funds to establish Beiyang Cotton Mill. Beiyang Cotton Mill was founded through the joint investment of commercial capitalists including Ji, from Tianjin's Dunqinglong firm, together with Longshun, Longju, Tongyixing, Ruixingyi, Qingfengyi, Wandecheng... More detailed information about Fan Zhuzhai ++