In 1921, the Jiaxing Yujia Branch of Weicheng Company, the earliest modern silk factory in China, was established on the east bank of South Lake. After experiencing the tortuous and arduous entrepreneurship process of the national capital, Japanese puppet management, bureaucratic capital and the founding of the People's Republic of China, the silk factory gradually developed into one of the five state-owned enterprises in Jiaxing after the founding of the People's Republic of China. How to continue the city’s memory of the local silk spinning industry and how to base the century-old factory on the existing commercial pattern with a brand-new look became the biggest challenge of this project.

The architectural design combined contemporary styles with the restoration of historical preservation buildings. The interior design aimed to create a unique urban destination based on the continuation of this methodology through the infusion of local culture, the integration of modern styles, and the collision of humanistic heritage and pioneering art. In space planning, the stage was placed at the center of atrium wtih two sides in symmetrical layout. The stage ceiling was featured with metal drapes projected by colorful multimedia lights, this "weaving" device is floated in the main atrium in tribute to the history and culture of the silk industry. The lights in the shape of silk spindles were arranged like raindrops in the metal drapes to create a light and airy scene of emotional memories. The interior design retained the original structural columns and floor slabs to restore the building elements and materials of the original silk factory. The "wedge-shaped roof" as the representation of engineering creativity has also been retained. The design methods of repetition and superposition were used to reinforce the original wood truss with a steel structure. Our design innovation was based on the inheritage of original architecture. We used cement paint and white paint to highlight the aesthetics of original architectural space with modern materials. The main atrium was transformed into a social interaction place with senses of historical exploration and cultural experience.

The unique open-air lifestyle space redefines the local commercial trend and meets the ever-changing consumer needs. Since its debut on June 19, 2021, the project has become Jiaxing's new landmark and the most popular retail destination, with over 50% of brands’ first store appearance in the city. By the end of December 2021, Nanhu Place had a sales volume of RMB 420 million, with customer flow of 7.85 million and registered members accounting for 10% of Jiaxing's population. The daily average customer flow is nearly 40,000 people.