Cable 8 Creative Center Faces Demolition

Last week, we wandered over to Yishu 8 to check out the new T'ang Haywen exhibit, and were just commenting on how nice it is to still see these factory buildings hidden away in the CBD - when a long-haired gentleman told us it was all coming down soon.

Sure enough, the folks at the gallery confirmed that they and other lessees in the Cable 8 Creative Center have been asked to move out so that demolition can begin on the area sometime within the next few months.

The alleyway that once housed the Beijing Electric Wire and Cable Factory (the creative center's namesake) was reopened in 2007, and touted as a "new media industrial center with unique feature." For the last few years, it's been home to design (+86), architecture (ZNA) and music studios (Dong Music), as well as shops, restaurants, and even a wedding dress boutique (Julia).

Most of the businesses are currently in the process of moving out, or have closed up shop already.

The managers of art space Yishu 8 (who've hosted orchestral concerts, lectures, and art exhibits in its lovely courtyard space) are hoping to move to another "independent" (as in, not in 798) location in the Guomao area, but an exact location is still unconfirmed.

It seemed this area was still gaining traction, so we're bummed it's facing a premature demise. More news (including what's going up in its place) as things unfold.