1733 Commercial Space

1733 Commercial Space is a ByteDance-owned mixed-use property in Beijing that combines a corporate workplace with publicly accessible retail and commercial facilities. The complex is located beside Beijing's historic Big Bell Temple and west of Dazhongsi Station. It occupies the site formerly known as Zhongkun Life Plaza, a stalled commercial-development project that was established in 2004 and later underwent a prolonged period of redevelopment and operational difficulties. The name 1733 refers to the year traditionally associated with the construction of the Big Bell Temple. The name also invokes a Mandarin phonetic wordplay: the pronunciation of the numerals can suggest the expression “一起散散,” conveying the idea of going out for a walk together. This naming gives the property a local cultural reference while presenting it as a social and lifestyle destination rather than only an office complex. The property’s earlier history was marked by delays. Zhongkun Life Plaza was planned as a large urban commercial project near the temple and was promoted as a major comprehensive space inside Beijing’s Third Ring Road. Although the project was expected to begin leasing in the late 2000s, it remained incomplete for years. In 2013, Zhongkun Group proposed converting the site into an office building, but opposition from renters prevented that plan from proceeding. The Haidian district government later supported ByteDance’s acquisition of the property in 2019, partly as an effort to resolve the site’s long-running operational problems and partly to address workplace-space constraints affecting ByteDance employees. The former Zhongkun Plaza ceased operations in 2020 and entered a repair and renovation phase. ByteDance teams began moving into the redeveloped property in 2023. On December 29, 2023, the 1733 Commercial Space identity was opened to the public. Its intended public audience is described as young consumers, with the commercial component positioned alongside ByteDance’s internal workplace facilities. The complex is organized vertically. The B1 and B2 levels contain a partly below-grade commercial area, while B3 is used for parking. The ground-level floor includes shops and an entrance to the ByteDance workplace for employees. The B2 level also provides access to Dazhongsi Subway Station’s Line 12 facilities; the referenced material distinguishes this connection from Beijing Subway Line 13 service at the station. The result is a hybrid property rather than a conventional standalone shopping mall: it functions simultaneously as ByteDance office infrastructure, a neighborhood-oriented commercial destination, and a redeveloped urban site connected to Beijing’s transport and cultural landmarks.

The site now known as 1733 Commercial Space was originally developed as Zhongkun Life Plaza beside Beijing’s Big Bell Temple. The project was established in 2004 and presented as a comprehensive urban commercial space within Beijing’s Third Ring Road. Its location was considered strategically important because of its proximity to the temple, nearby residential and business districts, and Dazhongsi transportation facilities. Although leasing was expected to begin in 2007, the project did not progress as planned and remained unresolved for several years. In 2013, Zhongkun Group announced a proposal to transform Zhongkun Life Plaza into an office building. That plan was halted after opposition from renters. The resulting uncertainty contributed to the site’s reputation as a stalled or poorly functioning commercial project. The property later became part of a broader effort by the Haidian district government to address the condition of Zhongkun Plaza and improve the use of the surrounding urban area. In 2019, with assistance from the Haidian district government, ByteDance acquired Zhongkun Plaza. The acquisition was connected both to the site’s redevelopment and to ByteDance’s need for additional workplace capacity. The property was also identified in connection with the repair of a Beijing–Zhangjiakou railway site. For ByteDance employees, the project was seen as a way to relieve workplace inconvenience by placing teams in a more integrated office environment. Zhongkun Plaza stopped operating in 2020 and entered a repair and renovation period. The redevelopment retained the site’s commercial potential while adding a substantial workplace function for ByteDance. By 2023, ByteDance teams had settled into the complex, converting the formerly stalled property into an operating corporate site. The public-facing identity, 1733 Commercial Space, launched on December 29, 2023. The name references 1733, the year associated with the construction of the nearby Big Bell Temple. It also uses a Mandarin phonetic association with “一起散散,” a phrase suggesting going out for a walk together. This branding connects the project to its local landmark while emphasizing leisure, movement, and social activity. The completed complex has both private and public functions. B1 and B2 include a partly below-ground commercial area, B3 provides parking, and the first floor contains ground-level shops as well as an entrance for ByteDance employees. B2 also provides access to the Dazhongsi station facilities serving Beijing Subway Line 12, while the referenced description separately identifies the station’s Line 13 location. The development therefore operates as a hybrid of office campus, shopping and lifestyle destination, transport-linked facility, and urban-renewal project. Public information describes young people as its principal commercial audience, but does not provide a full tenant list, detailed financial results, or a complete operating-company structure.

1. 2023ByteDance teams occupy the redeveloped site

   ByteDance working teams moved into the property as it was prepared for operation under the 1733 identity.

   Source
2. 20231733 Commercial Space opens to the public

   The commercial complex officially opened on December 29, combining public retail space with ByteDance workplace facilities.

   Source
3. 2020The former plaza closes for repairs

   Zhongkun Plaza ceased operations and began a renovation and repair phase.

   Source
4. 2019ByteDance acquires the plaza with local-government assistance

   ByteDance acquired Zhongkun Plaza as part of an effort to resolve the troubled property and expand its workplace capacity.

   Source
5. 2013Office-conversion proposal is halted

   Zhongkun Group proposed converting the plaza into an office building, but the plan was stopped after renters objected.

   Source
6. 2007Planned leasing target passes without completion

   The project was expected to begin leasing, but the commercial development remained unfinished and did not enter stable operation as planned.

   Source
7. 2004Zhongkun Life Plaza is established

   The property beside the Big Bell Temple is developed as Zhongkun Life Plaza, a planned comprehensive commercial project in Beijing.

   Source

A youth-oriented mixed-use commercial and workplace destination that combines ByteDance offices, retail services, and a locally themed urban social environment beside the Big Bell Temple.

• 1733 Commercial SpaceMixed-use commercial complex2023

  The principal offering is the redeveloped property itself: a hybrid Beijing complex combining a public-facing shopping and lifestyle area with ByteDance offices. Its design includes partly below-grade commercial floors, ground-level shops, employee workplace access, parking, and a connection to Dazhongsi Subway Station facilities. The project is aimed especially at younger visitors and draws part of its identity from the neighboring Big Bell Temple.

• ByteDance workplace facilitiesCorporate workplace2023

  The property includes office and workplace facilities used by ByteDance teams. These facilities are integrated into the same development as the public commercial area, making 1733 a workplace campus as well as a retail destination. The employee entrance is located at the ground-level portion of the complex.

• Public commercial areaRetail and lifestyle services2023

  The public component occupies portions of the lower and ground-level floors and is intended to serve visitors and local consumers. Available reference material identifies the area broadly as commercial space but does not provide a complete list of tenants, brands, restaurants, or individual services.

• 2023Public opening promotion

  China

  The opening of 1733 Commercial Space on December 29, 2023, was promoted through Douyin Life’s official Douyin account. The communication presented the property as a newly opened commercial destination for a young audience.

  Outcome. The site opened its public commercial facilities and began operating alongside ByteDance’s workplace functions.

  Source

• 2023Launch of the 1733 Commercial Space identityProduct launch

  After redevelopment and occupation by ByteDance teams, the property required a new public-facing identity for its commercial functions.

  What changed. The complex opened to the public on December 29, 2023, under the name 1733 Commercial Space.

  Aftermath. The property began operating as a mixed-use workplace and commercial destination in Beijing.

  Source
• 2020Closure and renovation of the former plazaStrategy

  The acquired property required substantial repair and redevelopment after years of incomplete or unstable commercial operation.

  What changed. Zhongkun Plaza stopped operating and entered a renovation phase intended to support a combined office and commercial use.

  Aftermath. ByteDance teams moved into the property in 2023, followed by the public launch of the 1733 Commercial Space brand.

  Source
• 2019Acquisition of Zhongkun PlazaM&A

  Zhongkun Life Plaza had experienced prolonged development and operating problems, while ByteDance needed additional workplace capacity.

  What changed. ByteDance acquired the property with assistance from the Haidian district government and began preparing it for redevelopment and corporate use.

  Aftermath. The site later entered repairs, accommodated ByteDance teams, and was relaunched publicly as 1733 Commercial Space.

  Source

• 20231733 Commercial Space opens to the public in Beijing

  The ByteDance-owned workplace and commercial complex opened its public-facing facilities on December 29, 2023. The opening was promoted through Douyin Life’s official Douyin account, with the site described as serving a primarily young audience.

  Product launch
  Source
• 2023ByteDance teams move into the redeveloped Zhongkun Plaza site

  ByteDance working teams began operating from the renovated property before its public commercial launch under the 1733 identity.

  Other
  Source

1. 1733 Commercial Space