It's odd to think that the groovy shapes of Art Deco weren't always retro. While Shanghai now has the space-age futurism of the Lujiazui skyline that epitomises the city's rapid embrace of modernity, back in the 1930s Art Deco was the architectural style that expressed the glamour and prosperity of a city on the up. From favourite cinemas to lesser-known hidden gems, today Shanghai remains a city with more Art Deco masterpieces than anywhere else in Asia and here are three of the best.
The Paramount
After shutting for years and undergoing a multi-million RMB facelift, The Paramount has once again flung open its doors. During its ’30s heyday, The Paramount was filled with the kind of unsavoury characters that helped Shanghai earn its infamous nickname, the ‘Whore of the Orient’. It saw a coming together of aristocrats, gangsters, dancers and wealthy Westerners for wild evenings of dubious behaviour. Now restored to its former glory (minus the disreputable elements), The Paramount is back in business as a blinged-out exclusive nightclub with KTV rooms.
The Paramount Ballroom 218 Yuyuan Lu, near Changde Lu.
Cathay Cinema
There are a number of beautiful Art Deco cinemas in Shanghai and the Cathay Cinema has one of the most stunning exteriors (if not interior, thanks to some dodgy pot plants and cardboard ads besmirching the appearance of the marble lobby). Designed by Hungarian architect GH Gonda, the cinema was once one main auditorium that has ‘triplexed’ into three separate screens, resulting in a loss of wow factor provided by the internal decor, but it’s still a joy to behold. Make sure to check out the exterior at night for full effect.
Cathay Cinema 870 Huaihai Zhong Lu, near Maoming Lu.
Fairmont Peace Hotel
A Bund-side treasure and classic Shanghai landmark, the former Cathay Hotel was the most prestigious hotel in Shanghai before 1949 (fun fact: it was where playwright Noel Coward wrote Private Lives) and has been painstakingly restored to its original glory, now with additional luxe modern amenities like a posh spa. Check out the incredible interiors and head to the Jazz Bar where a group of elderly Chinese musicians play jazz classics daily.
Fairmont Peace Hotel 20 Nanjing Dong Lu, near Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu.
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