1969 Creative Workshop, a new landmark in Wuxi

1969 Creative Workshop. [Photo/Wuxi Daily]

The 1969 Creative Workshop, the largest upgrading and transformation project of old factories in Wuxi, East China's Jiangsu province, has become the city's new landmark as well as an important carrier of new business forms.

"Old factories feature big space, longspan, and high storey height, which allow designers to give full play to their imagination," said Zhang Jianqiang, president of the 1969 Creative Workshop.

Song Art Museum at the 1969 Creative Workshop. [Photo/Wuxi Daily]

Zhang preserves the overall architectural pattern of the old factories while redesigning the facilities after demolishing abandoned factories and outdated buildings.

The Song Art Museum is Zhang's proudest work. With simple and elegant design, the art museum highlights large areas of white walls and black steel structures and attracts numerous art lovers.

People play badminton in a badminton gym at the 1969 Creative Workshop. [Photo/Wuxi Daily]

The 1969 Creative Workshop consists of six zones for art and culture, sports and fitness, design, catering and entertainment, fashion, and creative work.

Statistics show that nearly 300 businesses with over 3,000 employees are operating in the workshop and that currently its annual operating revenue exceeds 1 billion yuan ($136.81 million).