A decade before Shougang Iron and Steel hosted Olympic sporting events, it was an immense decaying complex of blast furnaces, coke ovens, pipes and coal conveyors. While the 2008 Olympics brought the end of the manufacturing operations of Shougang Steel, the 2022 Olympics catalyzed its rebirth.
Read Moreiron and steel
How "Cancel Culture" Ruined this Steel Mill Cafeteria
As major Chinese urban centers develop and environmental protection standards improve, tolerance for polluting industries. After 60 years of operation, this cafeteria was one of the few structures in the sprawling factory compound that had not yet been razed.
Read MoreShougang Steel at Night: 8 Pictures From The Industrial Edge of Beijing.
The plant reduced production over the next few years until it was finally closed in 2011. These pictures are taken later in 2011, many from the abandoned 碧霞元君庙 temple on an adjacent hill to the west of the Shougang site.
Read MoreShougang Panorama View from 2011
Brownfield Art and Film at Thomas Works
The Thomas site has been a unique enclave for artists since 1993.
Read MoreFound Historical Imagery of Republic Steel
Incidentally, some of the 1992 David Diesing photos at the Library of Congress are nearly the same view as mine. It is interesting to compare what has changed in the nearly two decades of time that has elapsed.
Read MoreThe Extraordinary Relic of Republic Steel
Republic Steel Thomas By-Product Coke Works was built in the 1920's and deactivated in the 1970's. It is perhaps the most well preserved specimen of that era that still remains.
Read More