Redtown: A Creative Park

Redtown, located at the end of Huaihai Road, is one of Shanghai’s earliest creative parks. Based on the big steel structure of the former plant of Shanghai No.10 Steel Factory, Redtown blends the original framework with modern architectural features, without neglecting ventilation needs and safety concerns. Featuring Shanghai Urban Sculpture Center, the comprehensive cultural center is facilitated with multi-functional convention and creative zones, and large-scale activities and arts exhibition halls.

What makes it special?

I’ve been interested in Redtown since it was under reconstruction. The recent Arts Exhibition of Nine Provinces and Municipalities, an event organized by the newspaper, was also held here. What attracts me most is its original industrial features, the steel-making-workshop-turned exhibition hall for instance. -- Sheng Feng, Senior Reporter of the Community Morning Post

The story between Shanghai and me started at the moment I entered Redtown. Before I went to college, I had a mixed feeling towards the city, eager to explore and worried about being bewildered. When I was a freshman, I went to Redtown for the first time for a band of which I’d been a huge fan. The red-brick plant reincarnated and thrived for the sake of art. It was my first attempt to becoming part of the city. After that, I used to take metro and go there with my friends for mild country music or exciting rock concerts. Changning was asleep when the concerts ended in deep night, but we were wide awake, remaining silent or singing loud. Those were the moments we felt closest to the city. Sculptures, music and paintings, these were our memories about Redtown. I’ve managed to identify myself with the city and the friends with who I share these memories are now far away, but I really miss the days when we frequented Redtown. -- Wang Siqi, student from East China University of Political Science and Law