Former Residence of Zhuang LeFeng

　　The former residence of Zhuang LeFeng is located at No. 10 Huayuan Road today. It was built in 1926, covering an area of 2,724 square meters and a construction area of 3,735 square meters. It was designed and constructed by the foreign architect Buchard. The entire structure has a beautiful composition and harmonious proportions. The building faces west and has a main four-story structure designed in the style of a German courtyard. The property includes one main building and two additional two-story smaller buildings. The main building is grayish in color, with a majestic and imposing exterior. The entrance hall includes a cloakroom, while the first floor houses a foyer, living room, dining room, bedrooms, and a grand ballroom. The second floor features a gallery with railings surrounding the hall, offering a view of the activities below. The third and fourth floors both have large balconies, and the windows are adorned with intricate carvings, adding distinctive charm. The interior is fully equipped with heating and bathrooms. The ceilings feature exquisite floral decorations, and the hallways and rooms are accented with tall wainscoting. The full-length mirror in the entrance hall is an antique from Belgium. The walls are decorated with classical pilasters, and the patterns between the columns reflect ancient decorative styles. The exterior wall finish of the building uses warm tones, and the roof is modeled after the French Mansard style. The entire building boasts a cohesive design, a grand appearance, and refined interior decoration. In 1968, the Municipal Education Bureau moved into this building from its former site on Hubei Road and subsequently added some new structures. Currently, there are 97 rooms in the building complex, 13 single-story rooms, totaling 110 rooms, with a construction area of 3,735 square meters.

　　Zhuang LeFeng (1873~1949)　　Zhuang LeFeng (1873–1949) was a native of Danyang, Jiangsu, and an influential figure in Tianjin’s early industrial circles. He served as a director of the Kailuan Coal Mine and the former British Municipal Council, and he initiated and led fundraising efforts to establish Tianjin Yaohua School. Long-term resident of Tianjin. He graduated from the Beiyang Naval Academy and later taught there for a period. In 1900, he worked as a translator for Zhang Yi, the supervisor of the Kaiping Mining Bureau. Due to his involvement in Zhang Yi's business dealings with the British company Jardine Matheson regarding the Kaiping Coal Mine, he faced considerable criticism and once went into hiding in Qingdao. Later, he co-founded the Zhongxing Coal Mine in Zaozhuang, Shandong, with figures such as Li Yuanhong, serving as a board member. In the 1920s and early 1930s, he served as a director of the Chinese Taxpayers' Association in the British Concession of Tianjin... Details+