The artificial lake at the centre of the Xintiandi development, flanked by the South Block (a contemporary mall tower) and the North Block lane houses, provides an open-air gathering space that fills on weekend evenings with diners from the surrounding restaurants and walkers from the surrounding hotel development.
The South Block mall — purpose-built rather than converted — holds international luxury brands and restaurant chains. The Lake area between North and South Blocks hosts outdoor events and markets, particularly on weekends. The contrast between the restored lane houses to the north and the contemporary tower to the south illustrates the commercial strategy of the entire development — historic fabric as brand value.