A traditional Shikumen -style complex, with a total area of 4,030 square meters and estimated weight at 7,500 tons, is being carefully relocated to ensure its preservation. The operation, considered the largest of the type in China, has the help of 432 small robots that move the structures at an average of 10 meters per day, according to the report of China Daily.
Located in the Jing’an district, the Huayanli Complex, built between the 1920s and 1930s, is composed of three brick and wood buildings that form one of the city’s most important historical heritage, with over 140 years of history. The temporary relocation is necessary to enable the construction of a three -story underground space under the site, which will house cultural, commercial areas, more than 100 parking spaces and connections between lines 2, 12 and 13 of the Shanghai subway.
According to Shanghai Construction on 2 (Group) Co Ltd, responsible for the work, the project faces unique challenges due to the density of the historical buildings and the narrow streets of the complex, which make it difficult to access and move conventional equipment. To overcome these barriers, the team used autonomous mini rolls for foundation work, capable of browsing narrow doors and corridors, as well as 3D modeling and cloud scanning systems to accurately map the structures and avoid damage.

“We project multiple transport curves for soil removal by implementing a factory line system with rail and transporter straps to minimize interruption while maintaining high efficiency,” said Zhang Yi, general manager of the Shanghai Construction Urban Renewal Construction Company (Group) at Chinese newspaper.
The complex is expected to return to its original location until next Saturday, integrating the preservation of historical heritage with modern underground facilities, connecting the place to skyscrapers, commercial and residential areas, according to information from Shanghai Jing’an Real Group.