Project Background

The predecessor of 1906 Young Town Technology Plaza was Guangzhou Cigarette Erchang, which dates back to 1949 when Guangzhou Manufacturing Plant of Nanyang Brothers Tobacco Company was founded by patriotic overseas Chinese industrialist brothers surnamed Jian. The factory produced brands such as "Double Happiness", "White Golden Dragon", "Bank", "Golden Dragon", "Seven Stars" and "Hundred Birds", which were the six famous brands of cigarettes in Guangzhou at that time.

In 2011, in response to urban development, Cigarette Erchang relocated out of the city area, leaving most buildings vacant. In 2022, Young Town Technology Company settled in Cigarette Erchang, marking the initial formation of a transformation concept of blending technology with tradition.

Micro-transformation and Strong Connections

1906 Young Town Technology Plaza faces the National 4A-level tourist attraction Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, attracting considerable attention from the outset. Situated at the intersection of Zhongshan 7th Road and Kangwang Middle Road, directly above the "Chen Clan Ancestral Hall Station" of Metro Line 1 and Line 8, 1906 Young Town Technology Plaza enjoys a unique geographical advantage.

The old factory area was closed and mysterious, preserving the rugged style of industrial buildings from the last century. Pipes, instruments and machines were seen everywhere, as if they were still operating normally as they once did.

While the main building structures were well-preserved and highly adaptable, issues still existed in terms of spatial layout, vertical transportation, fire evacuation, and some other aspects.

To meet the functional and spatial needs of new industries, buildings underwent adaptive transformation without compromising the original architectural structure and facade, integrating new industries through micro-transformation and slight intervention.

One Axis with Three Rings and Multiple Nodes

The commercial axis starts from the plaza entrance in the northeast corner, passing through tree-lined avenue, central plaza, secondary plaza, then reaching the exit area of Longjin Road in the south, connecting three important nodes: entrance plaza, central plaza, and south plaza. Through closed-loop circulation routes in various areas, it ultimately forms a tightly connected main street, guiding pedestrian flow from the subway entrance in the northeast corner to other destinations.

After removing the walls, Young Town Plaza opens all day, connecting Zhongshan 7th Road and Longjin Middle Road, blurring the boundary between the city and the plaza. It has become an integral part as well as an open block of the old city that carries a new life.

To meet the high parking demand of the old city, two sets of stereo mechanical garages were set up at the corner for intensive parking— guiding people to park at the corner before exploring the interior on foot.

Orange Covered Walkways

Faced with fragmented industrial sites in the city center, the primary concern in design was "connections"—connecting people with buildings, connecting sites with the city and connecting traditions with the future.

Upon their first field trip of the old factory area, one could still smell the fainted scent of tobacco. Walkways between buildings retained traces of transportation from various process areas. Thanks to the original walkway system of the site, several covered walkways painted in eye-catching orange now connect the scattered buildings.

Reconstructing the cargo tunnels between the most distinctive Building 2 and Building 3, embodies the theme element of "connections" and has become the project's business card.

Walkways based on the double-ground-floor commercial area have increased the number of staircases. Taking advantage of this situation, staircases were shaped into several groups of sculptures, some attached to building facades, some standing independently, and some even becoming towers, integrating into the walkways yet retaining their independence. They have established visual landmarks adding vibrancy to the overall environment.

Integration of Technology and Tradition

Thanks to the rich facade language of the old buildings in the plaza, including vertical round windows, sunshade eaves, horizontal long windows, sky walkways and etc., 1906 Young Town Technology Plaza has been revitalized and awakened the old sites through micro-transformation, much like wiping the dust off a long-neglected container and making it shine again.

Since the plaza’s opening, nearby residents frequently pass by and the number of tourists who come for its fame has increased, making the plaza a new landmark in Guangzhou. Major catering restaurants and leisure brands have rushed to settle in and leading technology companies have also converged here.

1906 Young Town Technology Plaza features a 25,000-square-meter urban immersive commercial area and a 30,000-square-meter low-density office space in the urban central garden. Looking ahead at the future commercial landscape of Liwan District, it aims not only to align with internationalization but also to leverage its distinctive Lingnan characteristics, targeting itself to build a unique Liwan commercial district that attracts more international businesses and tourists.