Page 136 - JCAU-6-2

Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Bank of China’s modern buildings

Table 4. Usage statistics of existing Bank of China’s modern buildings
Function Type Name of the building Current use
Financial institutions Former site of the Bank of China Dalian branch CITIC Bank
Former site of the Bank of the Treasury of the Qing Dynasty ICBC Bank
Former site of the Bank of China Qingdao branch ICBC & BOC Bank
Former site of the Bank of China Shanxi branch PBOC Bank
Bank of China Wuhu branch ICBC Bank
Bank of China building (Hong Kong) Bank of China Hong Kong Private Banking
Office spaces Former site of the Bank of China office and warehouse in Shanghai JK1933 Office
The former site of the Bank of China Nanjing branch Used by government agencies and institutions
Museum/Exhibition Former site of the Beihai Exchange office of the Bank of China Beihai Modern Customs Museum
Former site of Bank of China, Anchang, Shaoxing Bank of China Education Base
Bank of China Tianjin branch Bank of China Museum Tianjin branch
Old Bank of China Gulangyu office People’s Bank Currency Museum
Residential Bank of China Moganshan office Leased as a guest house
Bank of China Suzhou branch Local inhabitants
Hybrid functions Bank of China Kunming branch Historic displays and bank operations
Former site of Bank of China Hankou branch Mission schools and bank operations
Bank of China Shanghai branch Historic displays and bank operations
Bank of China Hongkou building ICBC use and residency
Bank of China Tongfu building ICBC use and residency
Bank of China on the Bund Historic displays and bank operations
Bank of China Tower (Hong Kong) Bank operations and other types of business
Idle The former site of the Bank of China in Chongqing Lying idle
Bank of China Yantai Branch
Bank of China Nanjing Jewellery Gallery New Buildings
The former site of the Bank of China Harbin branch
Former site of Bank of China Huzhou sub-branch
Note: The table provides statistics on the preservation and use of the existing modern buildings of the Bank of China, based on the author’s fieldwork
and web-based data searches. Source: Table by Jun Wang

A B also impedes sustaining post-renovation interpretation,
heritage education, and activity organization.
These challenges underscore the importance of
comprehensively understanding the historical context,
contemporary needs, and architectural characteristics of
the buildings. Failing to address these aspects can lead to
multifaceted issues in heritage conservation and utilization.
C D
6. Discussion

Transitioning from functional architectural entities to
cultural and monumental spaces, modern buildings
ideally merit preservation and innovative utilization.
Unfortunately, the lack of value recognition and an overly
singular mode of utilization often result in property
Figure 13. Modern bank buildings functioning as museums. rights conversion, prolonged idling, or even demolition
(A and B) Classical revival exterior and interior exhibits of the
Wuhan branch modern buildings. (C and D) Classical revival of these valuable structures. This common challenge
exterior and interior exhibits of the Tianjin branch modern buildings. pervades numerous modern buildings across urban
Source: Photos by Jun Wang China, presenting a shared issue in urban renewal and

Volume 6 Issue 2 (2024) 14 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.2166