There is a healthy appetite for former industrial properties among the creative types of Shanghai just now, and another with history on its side is about to hit the market. The 2577 Creative Garden near Longhua Temple was a former arsenal, now it features peaceful gardens, writes Wang Jie. 　　

Li Hongzhang (1823-1901), one of the most important figures in China's international affairs and also a predominant prime minister in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), would have been more than happy to see a new creative industrial center rising from the venue that he chose for the firearms base of the late Qing Dynasty. 　　

The 2577 Creative Garden might have had no other distinction from Shanghai's booming creative industry, without that particular link to history. 　　

Li, a controversial figure, is not only known for his proposal to modernize China via his referring to Western industrial and financial knowledge, but he is also blamed for signing a series of unequal treaties with Western countries, including the Sino-Japanese Treaty of Shinomoseki in 1895. 　　

For those who are engaged in advertising, design, fashion and art, the dilapidated warehouses, construction ruins and abandoned workshops have become symbols of innovation and imagination, not to mention the huge project initiated by Taiwanese architect Teng Kun-yen in Yangpu District and the downtown complexes like Tian Zi Fang and Bridge 8. 　　

The retro trend and the mania for nostalgia have pushed more and more people to dig out the past in order to produce a creative future, the 2577 Creative Garden is one of them, although not the first. 　　

Sited near Longhua Temple, a region noted for its deep folk customs, the garden which is still under construction is scheduled to finish in September. Occupying an area of 17,000 square meters, the whole area will be sectioned into 79 units, varying from offices, cafeteria, restaurants to laundry and galleries. 　　

"We are having difficulties with the renovation work," says Sam Sun, general manager of the garden. "Some of the warehouses here are categorized as historical buildings, meaning we can't change their appearance." 　　

It's difficult to balance the traditional with the chic, but the 2577 Creative Garden is doing a good job - the cast steel pillar, the wood roof ceiling and the cannons are all well kept. 　　

"Today it's rare to have a face-to-face encounter with cannons, except in a war movie or a television series," says Sun. "But the cannons here are real and they have witnessed a lot." 　　

According to him, the firearms base of the late Qing Dynasty was later used as the Kuomingtang's garrison command in Shanghai from 1927. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, it became an industrial base. 　　

As planned, different parts of the cannons will be dismantled and scattered around, like modern installation artworks. 　　Another eye-catching "historical" installation is a cluster of fire-damaged ruins. 　　

"There was a fire in the factory several years ago," Sun notes, "but we found some of the ruins that hadn't been cleaned up are very impressive. So we decided to keep them as small pieces of art in the garden." 　　

Due to some official restrictions on the renovation of these historical buildings, most of the units are one- or two-story. Unlike other creative industrial centers in town, the 2577 Creative Garden is focusing on conjuring up a real "garden" for people who come in. 　　

"Each unit has a courtyard both at the front and the back," Sun explains. "There will be lawns and bamboo, because we fully understand what kind of ambience suits people who work in the creative industries." 　　

Nearly 40 percent of the tenant agreements have been signed, according to Sun. 　　

"Xu Zhen, a local young contemporary artist who has just 'peeled off' the top of the Himalayas has showed great interest in the garden," Sun reveals. "He is planning an exhibition in a 1,000-square-meter warehouse." 　　

"I heard from my friend about these creative gardens, and I am here to have a look," says Wang Jianwei, owner of a private design house. "The location is very convenient and I like their concept as well as the whole layout." 　

With the city's Loft and Suhe (Suzhou Creek) groups already enjoying their own unique surroundings, the 2577 Creative Garden will soon be another alternative to add to the list of creative residencies.