Great Northern Telegraph Building

The Great Northern Telegraph Building, located at No. 7 on the Bund in Shanghai, is a historic structure originally built for the Danish Great Northern Telegraph Company. Established in 1881, it was the site of Shanghai's first telephone switch in 1882. The building, designed by Atkinson & Dallas, faced a significant setback due to a fire during construction in 1905, delaying its completion until 1908. It featured advanced technology for its time, including a pneumatic tube system for telegrams and public telephones. Over the years, it has housed various companies, including the Commercial Bank of China and the Yangtze River Shipping Company, and is currently occupied by Bangkok Bank. This building not only reflects the rich telecommunications history of Shanghai but also offers a glimpse into the architectural evolution of the Bund.