Russo-Chinese Bank Building, Shanghai

The Russo Chinese Bank Building is an elaborate renaissance structure on the Shanghai Bund. It was the first building in Shanghai with elevators, tiles, sanitary facilities and modern amenities like heating and electric generator.

The Russo Chinese Bank Building was designed by architect Heinrich Bake of the German firm, Becker and Baedecker. The brick and concrete structure was built between 1901 and 1905. It has three floors and has a floor space of 1460 square meters. Glazed ceramic tiles cover the outside walls of the building and the entrance is guarded by an ornate iron gate. The interior has a spectacular central hall with marble staircases. The three floors look down into the hall with a coloured glass ceiling. The third floor had two large beautiful apartments that served as residences for the managers of the bank.

The bank ceased operation in 1937 during the Japanese occupation and the building was put to many uses over the years. Today, it houses the Shanghai Foreign Exchange Trade Center. A small portion of the building is occupied by the Three Gun Store selling knitted undergarments manufactured by the State run Three Gun Factory that now produces and sells children’s garments for the Disney Brand.