1933 Old Millfun: From abattoir to art hub in the heart of Shanghai

Built in 1933 and masterfully incorporating Art Deco and Bauhaus elements, Shanghai's 1933 Old Millfun is the only remaining one of its kind. Once designed for the smooth transit of livestock to their end – spiral ramps wide enough for cattle to pass, labyrinthine corridors meant to muffle panic, skybridges connecting five floors of raw concrete and symmetry – this former abattoir is now a haven for art lovers, photographers, and creatives alike. 

The building is an example of China's broader adaptive reuse policy and Shanghai's evolving urban vision: a city willing to repurpose its ghosts instead of burying them – a rare instance where the past isn't paved over but bent into something new.

It's a must-visit for architecture buffs and history enthusiasts alike, so be sure to mark your itinerary!

Read the immersive article here.