Shenzhen proposes redevelopment of city's first Sam's Club site in Futian

Authorities in Shenzhen's Futian District have unveiled a draft urban renewal plan for the site of the city's first Sam's Club, a long-standing retail landmark whose proposed redevelopment has triggered a wave of nostalgia among local residents.

The property, located in Xiangmihu Subdistrict, opened as Shenzhen's first Sam's Club in 1996 before being converted into a Walmart Supercenter in 2006. For many residents, it was one of the city's earliest large-format membership retail stores and a fixture of daily life during Shenzhen's rapid urban growth.

China's first Sam's Club opens in 1996 in the Xiangmihu Subdistrict. File photo

Under the draft plan released by the Futian District Housing and Construction Bureau, the renewal project would cover approximately 34,745 square meters. Shenzhen Walmart Department Store Retail Co., Ltd. has been listed as the project's applicant.

The proposal designates the site for continued commercial use and requires that at least 3,000 square meters of land — no less than 15% of the redevelopment area — be allocated for urban infrastructure, public service facilities and government public-interest projects.

Planning documents indicate that future development could include commercial, office and hotel facilities. All such properties would be held and operated by the developer rather than sold to individual investors, according to the draft.

An exterior view of the Walmart Supercenter on Xiangmei Road North, Xiangmihu Subdistrict. Zhang Chanwen

The announcement prompted discussion on Chinese social media, where residents shared memories of shopping at the store over the past three decades. Some users also expressed surprise, noting that the supermarket recently underwent interior renovations and expanded sales of Walmart's private-label fresh food products.

Questions about when demolition might begin and what would ultimately replace the existing building remain unanswered.

Industry observers said the project is still in the preliminary urban renewal planning stage. Under Shenzhen's urban renewal framework, authorities must first approve the renewal-unit plan before the applicant can prepare a detailed redevelopment scheme setting out construction scale, land-use indicators and development requirements.

Only after those plans receive approval and land-use agreements are completed can construction formally proceed.

Shoppers stroll through Walmart's Jingtian store in Shenzhen's Xiangmihu Subdistrict, Futian District. Shenzhen Walmart Department Store Retail Co. has proposed an urban renewal plan for the site, which formerly housed the city's first Sam's Club. Photo from WeChat account "圳之窗"

In a statement accompanying the proposal, Shenzhen housing authorities said the Xiangmihu project is expected to serve as a model for commercial redevelopment in Futian's core urban area.

The draft plan is open for public consultation through June 10. Feedback can be submitted via email to js@szft.gov.cn or by calling (0755) 8358-9215. Authorities have not announced a timetable for demolition or construction.