The cultural bureau of Shanghai, a city known for rich heritage, is probing a recent "illegal" demolition of a state-protected building. (Photo : Reuters)
The cultural heritage bureau of Shanghai announced on Friday that it is set to investigate the demolition of a state-protected heritage building.
Located in the North Bund area, the factory was established in 1921 by the British firm Amos Bird Co. The building was involved in the company's egg packing and cold storage businesses.
The State Administration of Cultural Heritage classified the building as an "immovable cultural relic" back in 2011.
According to regulations, plans to demolish or even employ redeveloping schemes must first undergo a panel discussion with experts. The move must also be subject to local cultural authorities' approval.
An official told Shanghai Daily that the demolition of the factory is confirmed. However, details about the occasion were not yet disclosed, only citing that a probe was underway.
The area where the building once stood is now enclosed by a high fence and is reported to be a construction site. The interior can be accessed only through large iron gates.
63-year-old Chen, a resident who has lived in the area "for decades," said that the ongoing construction commenced last month.
"The site was leased to several firms over the years, but it had been empty for a long time," he revealed.
Chen recounted that when he was a child, the building was "the city's biggest refrigeration house," adding that it used to be "owned by an egg company."
Meanwhile, a former janitor of the building told Shanghai Daily that when he worked at the site since December, he was not knowledgeable of its status as a state-protected establishment.
In an earlier report published by thepaper.cn, the site is being developed as a tourist attraction, citing a man working at a parking lot near the building.
The report also said that workers involved in the project have refused to answer inquiries about the construction.
