Originated to the 1930’s, Plaza 353 was Donghai Building with a great reputation in Shanghai. After a hundred years of ups and downs, it hasn’t disappeared but presents a charming brilliance. After the renovation in 2007, it’s taken on a new look, with the features of our age. Located in the central area of E. Nanjing Road, the plaza enjoys a favorable situation and convenient transportation.
Plaza 353 has basically preserved the classic style, due to its core principle “repairing the old as it was”: its simple but fashionable lower base blends well with the elegant art deco of the upper part, bringing out the best in each other. The original flavour in the structure, joined with the young ambience design is gradually considered to be a new landmark building for the young in Shanghai.
It’s fair to say the most crucial is firstly to attract the people into the plaza and then to encourage them to stroll over the whole mall. The T-shaped design at the gate not only deserves applause for its creative design, but also facilitates the traffic flow. Each store along the street on the ground floor has an independent entrance, providing a convenient access to the mall. In addition, its conspicuous art deco or signboard makes it too good for anyone to pass.
In terms of vertical transportation, Plaza 353 has some genius ideas, well represented by the position and the design of its 2 speedy cross-layered escalators, providing the dynamic lines to the central hall and improving the transportation of people stream within the plaza, which gives the customers an interactive feeling.
In order to show its vigor and fashion, the construction is made of steels. Head up a while, despite its original look of the transparent central roof, the glassy and stiff texture makes the whole different. Another bold design goes to the interior roof, which artistically displays the inner structure, perfectly showing the free style of the youth.
Showing the fresh elements, Plaza 353 is divided into 3 zones based on different functions. If you want to follow the international fashion, “Fashion Code” (F1-3) won’t be a bad choice, which gathers around chic brands in the world, incl. Zara, Guess, Mango; if you prefer to equip yourself with unique accessories, making you stand out of the crowd, head up to “Trend Code” (F4-5) and you won’t miss the boutiques with their innovative designs, full of wrist watches, handbags, scarfs and pendants of all kinds; if you feel a bit tired after shopping binge or even just window shopping, “Recreation Code” (F6-7) is just one step from you: face and body shops, toy towns, gourmet restaurants, etc. Cup of coffee in hand, sit on the balcony with the saxophone music around you.
In a relatively enclosed space, creating an opening effect is a new trend in the mall. Open dining zones are featured on the 6th and 7th floor; street cultures can be found on the 4th and 5th floor, which both are recreated for an open-style shopping environment and enchance the customers’ desire to stay longer.
Specifically designed to the young group, there is a studio covered by glass in the air of the central hall, as a focus of all. It is used a DJ room for broadcasting: music, wishes and upcoming events. Every minute and second, DJ will host the live shows, pushing the leisure atmosphere to a higher level.
Besides, there are art galleries, book bars and trendy clubs for the young, who pursued the freedom and the high quality of life. Drop by 353 Club: you could also enjoy dipping a cup of coffee, surfing on the internet, appreciating arts and hanging out with your friends. It serves as a relaxing harbor in the hustle and bustle city.
Nanjing was previously considered for the middle-aged group. But right now what we sense here is not only the nostalgia of the past but also the vogue and fashion of the young. Through an 80-year history from Donghai Building to Plaza 353, the century-old Nanjing Road is instilled with vitality and enhanced in cultural value.
Plaza 353
353 E.Nanjing Lu (near Shanxi Lu)
Tel: 21-6353 5353
November 11 was marked as 11.11 in Chinese, associated with Single’s Day, the time Single parties were thrown around the town. One of them was held in Plaza 353, which was also during the period of its 1st anniversary, filled with special events and offers from its boutiques lined along each floor. Yesterday’s theme party just kicked off its series of events during November. For more event info, you could check 
