Axons are long extensions of a nerve cell that transmit the brain’s information. Standing on an open-decked terrace atop the former Shanghai Abattoir in Hongkou district, Paul Liu, ex-CFO of Three on the Bund, is explaining that neurology and architecture influenced the name of his new company: Axons Concepts.

Built in 1933, the old Shanghai Abattoir is a fine example of early 20th-century industrial art. Developed by two Zhejiang businessmen – who also built the Post Office overlooking Suzhou Creek – and designed by an English architect using cement shipped from the UK, the abattoir features a strikingly-carved art deco frontage topped by a square, almost Moorish, central dome. Sitting on a curving parcel of land spliced by a meandering creek, it functioned as a slaughterhouse until being converted into a medicine factory in 1970.

Stepping inside, the neurological influences are apparent. The five-floor concrete structure is supported by solid ‘flowering’ pillars whose stems open out like petals at the point of contact with the ceiling. The funicular central building is linked to a square outer casing by a striking series of sloping concrete pathways and staircases. "This is the brain of the building," says Liu. "You can see the inter-linking effect of these original walkways. We can use that to help carry creative energies throughout the whole structure."

Creativity is the key word. The Hongkou government decided to renovate the abattoir as a creative industries center, but needed a partner to conceptualize and deliver this objective. Liu – who had visited the rundown former abattoir two years previously and was intrigued by its potential – teamed up with Lily Wang, a former investment banker and publisher of Cigar Ambassador magazine, to launch Axons Concepts. They hired David Laris as creative consultant and devised a pitch. The result was a 15-year contract to develop and manage the new 1933 creative centre.

To fulfill the brief, 1933 has strict limits on the tenant mix, broken down into clearly-defined segments of design, graphics and architecture, education, offices, F&B, leisure and shopping. "We are attracting creative, innovative and design intensive businesses to fill out our concept," says Liu. "A critical mass is developing, which will create quite a crucible of interaction. 1933 wants to be at the cutting edge of lifestyle, design, culture, education, food, fashion and arts, but we don’t want any one of these aspects to dominate to the detriment of the others."

Inside, spaces for shops, restaurants, studios, galleries and offices are being fashioned from a range of unorthodox spaces – including the solitary confinement pens, which formerly housed uncontrollable animals. Outside, the front of the building, originally elevated on stone pillars above the animal pens, will become pavement cafés and shops that open onto a tree-lined, cobble-stone piazza.

The circular top-floor ‘Theater’ opens this month and will host arts and corporate events. "Several large events are already planned, and some will have a real ‘wow’ factor," says Liu, pointing out a specially installed elevator that can transport cars and objects weighing up to 3.5 tons. From November 15-21, 1933 will play host to the Shanghai International Creative Industry Week. "This is the first year that all the events are being held in one location, rather than being spread across the city," says Liu.