China’s Grand Piano Building Strikes the Right Note With Visitors

The Piano and Violin building in Huainan City, China, has become known as “the most romantic building in China” since its completion in 2007. Built by architectural students at Hefei University of Technology in collaboration with Huainan Fangkai Decoration Project, the structure serves as an urban planning exhibition hall displaying development plans for the newly created Shannan district.

The unique building features a grand piano structure supported by three concrete legs with hundreds of black glass panels and clear white glass representing piano keys. A transparent violin made of clear glass panels houses escalators and staircases that provide access to the main piano building, which contains two concert halls.

The building follows a 50:1 scale of actual instruments and has become a popular destination for newlyweds taking wedding photos. Construction cost an estimated $35 million, but the investment has proven worthwhile as the building draws visitors from around the world.

Originally designed for music lovers, the building now serves local college music students as a practice area while continuing its role as a showroom for city development projects. The structure represents an example of China’s experimental architecture before the government announced in February 2016 that “oversized, xenocentric, weird” buildings would no longer be permitted.

While Northeast Ohio may not have any piano-shaped houses quite like China’s musical marvel, the Keeping The Pace Team understands that every home has its own unique architectural character and story. Led by Renae Pace, this six-member real estate team serves all of Northeast Ohio with expertise in everything from mid-century modern gems to contemporary new builds. The team specializes in helping clients navigate major life transitions, whether seeking that perfect starter home, upgrading for growing families, or downsizing for retirement. With deep local knowledge of Nordonia Hills and surrounding communities, they provide personalized service that recognizes each property’s distinct design features and each client’s individual vision for their next chapter.