By Tang Shunjia
Bilibili, Meituan, Douyin—major internet companies have clustered in Yangpu, turning the district into fertile ground for innovation and entrepreneurship. To attract and retain talent, the government has steadily upgraded its supply of affordable rental housing, ensuring a supportive environment for young professionals and building what it calls a "talent showcase belt."
The latest addition to Yangpu's "rental housing circle" is Chengzhi Meisu - East Bund Community, the first market-ready project launched by Shanghai Yangpu Urban Construction Investment (Group) Co., Ltd. Located at 567 Hejian Road, the 21,000-square-meter development combines two high-rise rental towers with ground-floor retail, offering 332 one-bedroom apartments.
"This is the kitchen area. The range hood and induction cooktop came with the apartment. I added a rack for my rice cooker and other appliances, so cooking is no problem. We also brought in a large desk, big enough for two people to work side by side," said 29-year-old Zhang Qiuhao as he introduced his new home.
At just under 5,000 yuan a month for a 42-square-meter unit, Zhang and his wife have realized their dream of moving in with nothing more than their suitcases.
He has carefully divided the space into zones for cooking, working, and his wife's vanity. The spacious balcony is his favorite feature. "I even got to keep a pet turtle—finally living my dream of 'turtle freedom,'" he laughed.
The Chengzhi Meisu - East Bund Community sits west of Mingyuefang, north of Longkou Road, east of Shuangyang Road, and south of Hejian Road. Surrounded mainly by residential neighborhoods, it offers a quiet retreat in the middle of the city, with a strong sense of community life.
Zhang Qiuhao compared several options before deciding on the East Bund Community. For him, the apartment's size, interior finish, amenities and rent all struck a fair balance within the couple's budget. "There are plenty of old, run-down flats nearby that rent for less, but here the furniture and appliances are all new and ready to use," he said, adding that he is very satisfied with their living conditions.
The surrounding area is already well served by daily conveniences: a RT-Mart store is just over 200 meters away, Bailian Riverside Shopping Center is 700 meters away, and Changyang Valley is 500 meters away. Transportation is also easy, with Metro Line 12 and several bus routes nearby. By car, it takes only three minutes to reach the Inner Ring and about ten minutes to the Middle Ring.
"My commute is just 10 minutes by car. On hot days, my wife takes the bus, which takes about 15 minutes. Getting around is no problem at all," Zhang said.
To meet the needs of young residents, the Chengzhi Meisu - East Bund Community offers more than just housing. In addition to 24-hour security, concierge services and on-site maintenance, the complex includes a gym, shared meeting rooms, a multi-purpose hall and study spaces, creating a comfortable and versatile living environment.
"Once you move in, any daily needs—such as maintenance requests—can be handled directly through the property manager, who will coordinate and resolve them promptly," said Jin Yi, deputy manager of operations at Shanghai Yangpu Real Estate Co., Ltd..
The community also includes a 520-square-meter retail area, which will gradually extend services to nearby neighborhoods and is expected to grow into a local commercial hub and social center.
Each unit in the development ranges from 41.76 to 45.79 square meters. Eligible applicants are those legally employed in Shanghai whose families have less than 15 square meters of housing space per person within the designated area. Applications can be submitted through the "Suishenban" app by searching for "I want to rent."
"Our goal is to make sure young people working hard in Shanghai don't have to worry about housing. We want them to feel at home, focus on their work, and have the confidence to pursue their dreams," said Shanghai Yangpu Urban Construction Investment (Group) Co., Ltd..
