China’s extended family spends life savings, pools money to build 15-story apartment to live together

Twenty of the family members, all from the Zhu clan in Quanzhou, China, have come together to construct a 15-floor apartment building in their village and live collectively under one roof.

The tower, situated in Zhuyuan village at Huqiu town, more than 400 square meters (about 4,300 square feet) and contrasting sharply with nearby traditional tiled houses. It is spread over 15 above-ground floors, two levels of underground parking and elevators, Jimu News reported.

There are 22 fully furnished units, one on floors two to 12, and large balconies at every level that you could simultaneously dry more than a few blankets. The ground level was designed as a supermarket but is currently utilized for storing food and as a children’s play space.

And unlike your average city apartment complex, there is no management committee or service fees. They take care of maintenance and daily operations (elevator service, for example) through agreements among family members.

Someone named Zhu, who is 70 and a clan member, came up with the idea for the project. Local news outlet 163 reported that they started building it back in 2016.He said their old places just weren’t big enough, so the kids were stuck doing homework at the dining tables. That’s why the family put their money together to get a bigger spot they could all share.

He mentioned that the building is home to a family that spans four generations and includes over 100 people.Most adults who work go to jobs outside the city. That means around 30 older folks and kids are in the building during the day.

The folks in charge said Zhu’s place went up around ten years back. Apparently, the rules at the time let a bunch of families team up to build tall residential buildings on the same plot of land, which is what happened here, allowing this property to get built.

So, with these new rules from April 2023, if you’re building a house out in the country, it can’t be more than three stories tall and has to stay under 15 feet.five meters, so you can’t build similar stuff around here anymore.

Some folks on the internet thought the building was just a way to flash some cash, especially after those pictures blew up online.Zhu pushed back on that idea. He mentioned turning down an offer to turn the place into a homestay, emphasizing that it’s a family home, not a business property.
“The neighbors get along great,” he said.

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