China Travel Forum

[Amythornbird]

Chuande Hall, a private garden in Suzhou built in 1919, will go under the gavel at a Shanghai auction house in the next two months.


Though they expect a lot of interest, auctioneers at Shanghai Honghai Commodity Auction Co are keeping their fingers crossed.

In 2005, when the 200-year-old Fengmei Thatched Hall, also in Suzhou of Jiangsu Province, was put on the block, the auction had to be canceled for lack of bidders.

Chuande Hall is nestled near Tiger Hill, a Suzhou landmark, and covers 1,766 square meters, with 450 square meters of traditional structures. Yu Lei, deputy general manager of the Shanghai auction house, said Chuande Hall has a larger garden area than Fengmei Thatched Hall, making it more attractive.

But getting buyers for a private garden is no easy task. "This is a test for us too," Yu said. "Unlike investments in luxurious villas, private gardens are a different ball game. The upkeep is expensive, especially for Suzhou gardens, which are architectural artworks. We are targeting overseas Chinese who have financial power and a passion for Chinese culture."

The garden is now owned by a company whose identity is being kept under wraps. Renovations of the park's structures have been completed, and the park keepers are working on landscaping. Yu said that all renovations are being done within government regulations.

Renovation expenses will be included in the auction's starting price, which has not been set yet.

The garden's new owner will not be able to make drastic changes to the architecture. Yu says that some modifications could be made to include a clubhouse or a personal museum for collectors, but commercial activities like restaurants are ruled out.

article source: echinacities.com