Classic Apartment / 老公寓

Standard 5–7 floor apartment buildings, usually built between the 1980s and early 2000s. Typically no historic architecture and no large gated compound.

Heritage Apartment / 历史建筑公寓

Apartments in officially recognized historic buildings, often from the former concessions. Distinctive pre-1949 architecture is the defining feature.

Lane House / 石库门 / 里弄

Traditional Shanghai lane houses (Shikumen / Longtang), usually 2–4 floors, located along narrow residential lanes. Often subdivided into multiple apartments.

Modern Compound / 现代小区

Large residential complexes with multiple apartment buildings, landscaped grounds, security, and shared facilities. Most developments built since the 1990s.

Villa / 别墅

A detached or semi-detached house with its own private entrance and outdoor space. Common in compounds in Hongqiao, Gubei, Pudong and similar villa communities.