Shamian's Former Police Station Turns Into Another Coffee Shop

Shamian Island’s most controversial reuse project is back in the works. The century-old Building No. 1 on Shamian Main Street—once a French military police station—is currently behind scaffolding and fresh signage, with reports confirming yet another renovation. For regular visitors and local history buffs, the pattern is growing all too familiar: another gut renovation, another new commercial concept, and more questions about the long-term impact on a protected historical structure.

Yes, it’s happening again. This former French police station, a nationally designated B-level cultural relic, is being converted into a coffee shop—its third major repurposing in just six years since reopening in 2008, following stints as Italian and European-style restaurants that didn’t last.

What Is Shamian No. 1?

Shamian No. 1 is a historic building located right by the Shanghai East Bridge on Shamian Main Street. Built during China’s late Qing and early Republican period (approximately 100 years ago), it originally served as the French military police station, commonly referred to in Chinese as a “.” The site is officially categorized as a national B-level cultural relic under China’s system for protected heritage structures.

Why Is It Being Renovated—Again?

Local resident Ms. Wu, who has lived in Shamian and witnessed its transformations, reported seeing construction restart recently. She noted that the interior—walls, floors, and even structural elements—has been completely demolished and redone. Construction workers stated the project began about a month ago and is set to reopen next month as a coffee shop. Previous controversial features like the glass corridor wall remain untouched, but almost everything else has changed.

This is the third major commercial redevelopment since 2008. Before the upcoming café, the building housed an Italian restaurant and a so-called “European-style” eatery, both of which closed after short runs. Each iteration involved varying degrees of renovation, but this latest round appears to be the most extensive yet, with full interior reconstruction.

How Many Times Has It Changed Since 2008?

Since reopening in 2008, Shamian No. 1 has already been converted at least three times:

• Italian restaurant (exact years not specified)
• European-style restaurant (exact years not specified)
• Upcoming: coffee shop (expected to open next month)

In addition to these documented uses, locals report ongoing construction and renovation activity roughly every two years, totalling around three major overhauls in the past six years alone—including the current coffee shop conversion.

What’s Different in This Round of Renovations?

This time, the overhaul includes a full redo of the interior: walls, flooring, and ceilings have all been reportedly demolished and rebuilt. The glass corridor wall, which drew criticism in earlier phases, remains in place, but the rest of the interior has been stripped back to basics. The only visible exterior update so far is new signage installed near the entrance, indicating the new coffee-focused concept. Construction began roughly one month prior to reporting and is expected to finish within the next four weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Shamian No. 1 in Guangzhou?

Shamian No. 1 is a century-old building on Shamian Main Street near the Shanghai East Bridge. Originally constructed in the late Qing or early Republican period (around 100 years ago), it served as the French military’s police station, known as a . It’s a nationally protected B-level cultural relic in China.

How many times has Shamian No. 1 been renovated?

Since reopening in 2008, the building has been repurposed at least three times that we know of: first as an Italian restaurant, then as a European-style restaurant, and now it’s being converted into a coffee shop. Local sources say there have been roughly three major renovations in the past six years.

What is the current plan for Shamian No. 1?

The current plan is to reopen the building as a coffee shop. Recent renovations include a full interior rebuild—removing and replacing walls, floors, and ceilings—while the glass corridor wall remains. New signage has gone up and construction started about a month ago, with an expected completion and opening next month.

Why are people concerned about the renovations?

Visitors and locals are worried because the building is a nationally protected cultural relic. Frequent and extensive renovations—roughly every two years and at least three times since 2008—could risk damaging the historical structure. Concerns have been raised about whether such repeated changes are appropriate for a B-level national relic.

Where exactly is Shamian No. 1 located?

Shamian No. 1 is located on Shamian Main Street, right by the Shanghai East Bridge on Shamian Island in Guangzhou. It’s highly visible and a well-known landmark on the island.

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