Saturday, January 24, 2015

Le Cercle Sportif Français, Shanghai

Le Cercle Sportif Français, Shanghai

In 1922 Alexandre Léonard and Paul Veysseyre, working freelance for the Shanghai firm of Ledreux, Minutti & Cie, designed a new building for the Cercle Sportif Français (CSF). Rather than continue their freelance arrangement the two young French architects decided to form their own company, A Léonard & P Veysseyre à Shanghai. Ledreux & Minutti took legal action to retain the CSF drawings but ultimately Léonard & Veysseyre were declared the rightful owners of the project design. Construction began in December 1923 continuing through to 1926.

Le Cercle Sportif Français, Shanghai

The club wound up its membership in 1955 when it was clear that there was no place for such an institution in Mao Zedong's China. In any case private ownership of property had been made illegal the previous year and shortly after the CSF closed its accounts the building was taken over by the authorities.

Le Cercle Sportif Français, Shanghai

It's not known how the CSF survived the worst of the Cultural Revolution but somehow it did and today the clubhouse forms part of the Okura Garden Hotel. While many areas of the old CSF have been altered and found new uses within the hotel, the magnificent oval-shaped ballroom is virtually unchanged.

Le Cercle Sportif Français, Shanghai

Undoubtedly the most striking feature of the space is the enormous multi-coloured light but there are many other deco features around the room.

Le Cercle Sportif Français, Shanghai

The 1st floor landing, just outside the ballroom, also boasts a wealth of deco features including nude female figures and geometric patterns on the columns.

Le Cercle Sportif Français, Shanghai

Reference:
Shanghai's Art Deco Master: Paul Veysseyre's Architecture in the French Concession by Spencer Dodington & Charles Lagrange

2 comments:

  1. Those naked women were beautifully crafted and are related to sport (sort of :)). I want to tour Shanghai later this year and would love to see the old French Concession. All of it!

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    Replies
    1. It is great fun wandering around the former French Concession. Historic Shanghai run regular walks including a monthly(?) Art Deco walk and of course they are hosting the World Congress on Art Deco in November.

      Here's the website and Facebook page

      http://www.shanghaiartdeco.net
      https://www.facebook.com/ShanghaiArtDeco

      If you run into Patrick or Tina pass on my regards.

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