Homes in this neighborhood had ranged in age from 80 to 100 years old. These colonial dwellings survived wars, a civil war, and social upheaval. In recent years they had remained immune to the frenzied modernization drive in China. However, by November 2008 this landmark and signature feature of Dalian's past became another lost memory.
Nearly 20 acres of land, covering 80377m2 is being erased and reformatted. Neither the demolition process nor the reconstruction efforts will be finished any time soon. Based on previous examples around the city, the site will not be habitable for perhaps four years. The stages of transition will be staggered. Many square blocks will be flattened for construction, while gutted house shells remain standing in other sections.
Dalian does still have other vintage homes, but the few surviving areas are in a poor state of repair or just single structures left scattered among new developments. The Nanshan Street area had been the oldest and best preserved neighborhood in the city. With its demise, the location is no longer a realistic tourist attraction. Even though many visitors remain interested to see the demolished condition, personal safety and access to the site are prime issues of liability.
A detailed Google Earth satellite map of the demolition area has been created for public viewing. Photos of Nanshan Street are posted by city block zone. Images of the pre-demolition condition (August and September 2008) are presented as a comparison for the initial demolition progress in January 2009.
