Today, the century-old building has become a stage in its own right. Guides dress in period costumes and lead visitors from room to room, blending historical narration, character dialogue and live performance.

　　In 2023, Zhangyuan was selected for the first batch of China's national pilot projects under an "immersive city storytelling" program launched by the national public culture development center at the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Its immersive show has been staged more than 2,000 times.

　　"Every Western-style building has its own cultural story. We hope to make Tianjin's Western-style buildings 'speak,'" said Guo Hongbin, who runs the Zhangyuan.

　　Farther along, on Tai'an Road, stands the former Kailuan Mining Bureau Building. Beyond a broad flight of steps, more than 10 tall columns support an imposing colonnade, while the interior retains the solemn character of classical architecture.

　　Completed in 1921, the building now welcomes not only visitors but also employees of financial institutions and business clients. Following two years of revitalization, it opened in 2024 as Tianjin's financial exhibition center and financial institution service center.

　　Rich in historical and cultural resources, Tianjin is home to 16 historical and cultural blocks, 877 historic buildings and more than 1,000 protected buildings of various types. In recent years, the city has drawn up a conservation plan for its historical and cultural heritage, established committees and expert advisory bodies to protect historic buildings, and encouraged social capital to participate in the protection and use of historic buildings and blocks.

　　According to the Tianjin Housing and Urban-Rural Construction Commission, the city has revitalized more than 100 Western-style buildings in recent years. This year, Tianjin has moved to a "one building, one plan" approach, targeting the revitalization of 21 such buildings.