Tragedy of a 14-Year-Old House Standing Proudly in the Middle of a 4-Lane Road Because it Refused to be Demolished, Finally Surrendered After Bartering for 4 Apartments and Rp5.2 Billion

Dream - This is the story of the most famous “nail house” in Shanghai, China, which took its owner 14 years to finally agree to move. It is no wonder that it became a topic of conversation, as its location is in the middle of a road that cuts through four lanes.

In 2003, the house owner named Zhang Xinguo refused to move when the local government asked residents to relocate and make way for a road construction project. Zhang refused to move because he was only offered four apartments.

“At that time, with a large family, we asked for six apartments as compensation, but the government could only promise four,” Zhang said to Xinhua News Agency.

According to news.cgtn, the Zhang family had actually occupied the house for more than 40 years, with a total of seven family members living in the three-story house.

After failing to reach an agreement with the Zhang family, the road construction project continued.

Until 2011, Zhang's house became the only building left in the district. It stood in the middle of heavy traffic and forced a four-lane wide road to become two lanes.

Although both parties failed to reach an agreement on compensation, the local government ensured their safety and continued to provide electricity and water for the family.

However, the Zhang family had to endure the loud traffic noise and witness many traffic accidents, partly due to the complex road layout that needed to be navigated around the house.

The situation continued until 2017, when the local government established a resettlement office, sent officials to study the family's situation, and restarted the negotiation process.

“They spent time talking to us and truly understood our difficulties,” Zhang said to CCTV.

Finally, the Zhang family gave in and decided to move after a long-awaited 14 years.

“I was moved by their patience and finally agreed to move,” Zhang said.

According to the final agreement, the Zhang family received four apartments and compensation worth about 2.3 million yuan (350,000 US dollars) or equivalent to Rp5.2 billion (based on the exchange rate of Rp14,879 on Thursday, June 8, 2023).

Tragic Fate of a House in the Middle of the Road Surviving Demolition, Finally Leveled to the Ground Because the Owner Was Tired of Being the Center of Attention

Dream - In 2012, there was a viral house in Wenling, Zhejiang Province, China, which casually stood in the middle of a highway. The five-story house stood right in the middle of the road, not far from the train station.

The owner of the house was Luo Baogen, who along with his wife strongly refused to be relocated. They insisted on not moving because the compensation offered did not meet their expectations.

Thus, this house became the center of attention and was highlighted by the media. Luo's house became the only surviving dwelling while the surrounding area disappeared and turned into a freeway.

The local government planned to build a highway as a connection to the train station.

As a result, when road users pass through the road, drivers have to make a detour around the house that stands in the middle of the road.

However, not long after refusing to be demolished, the owner finally agreed to move and demolish the house. Luo Baogen received a compensation of 260,000 yuan or about Rp400 million.

This amount is much larger compared to his neighbors who were also affected by the road project.

Interestingly, the Head of Xiazhangyang Village, Chen Xuecai, stated that Baogen moved not because his house was in the middle of the road. But because he was tired of being constantly visited by journalists who wanted to cover his house.

Since Baogen's house was featured in several media outlets, he received many visitors every day, making him uncomfortable. The house of the Chinese grandfather was finally leveled to the ground.

“Luo Baogen received many guests from various media outlets because of his house. Therefore, he decided to let his house be demolished,” said Xuecai, as quoted by SkyNews from Liputan6.com.

The Story of a Shabby House Trapped Between Luxury Apartments in the Middle of Jakarta

Dream - A unique sight can be seen in the middle of the luxurious vertical residential complex of Thamrin Executive Residence Apartments in Kebon Melati, Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta. At the foot of the magnificent building, there stands a shabby house.

The house, which once went viral, has been standing since 1935 and is reportedly still inhabited by its owner, a woman named Elis, who is unwilling to sell her residence. Its condition is not much different from a few years ago.

The house, which is located lower than the road, only shows the worn-out roof. The paint color appears faded and there are many cracked walls.

Quoted from Liputan6.com, the land occupied by Elis used to be a residential area. In 2005, the developer wanted to buy the land. In 2009-2010, the residential area was demolished, leaving only Elis' house.

Her husband, Chairul Bahri, said there were negotiations with the apartment management, but it ended up being difficult and Elis remained firm in living with her family in that house.

"It was Rp2.5 billion (probably) or an apartment exchange," said Chairul, who is 72 years old.

Eventually, the apartment management proceeded with the construction of the skyscraper right next to Elis' house. Several other offers were also made by the apartment management to Elis, but it did not change her decision to stay.

Bahri admitted that he was surprised because his house story went viral. He said that although there had been misunderstandings with the apartment management in the past, they were now at peace.

“I don't want to talk about the past anymore. We are at peace, there are no problems,” Bahri said.

Furthermore, Bahri said that the apartment management had helped him a lot and had never caused any trouble in his life.

“They are good to us. We are not evicted. The management provided us with a road, built a drain. I can even park my motorcycle for free,” said the husband of the owner of the old house in the middle of the apartment.

“We want to hold a tikar event here, the apartment management has no problem with it. During Eid, they helped organize the event,” he added.

Bahri hopes that his story doesn't need to be exaggerated. He is worried that it will only provoke the apartment management's emotions. In fact, everything has been fine so far.

“I don't want to bring up the past. They might get offended and sue us if we talk about it,” Bahri firmly stated.

On another occasion, Elis, with a loud voice, stated that she would not submit to wealthy tycoons. She will ensure that she stays in her old house. Moreover, wealth is not a problem in her life.

She mentioned the 'precious treasure' that is in her old house. That mystery is a strong reason why Elis doesn't want to leave her rundown house.

"What do I need wealth for? I have a lot of land, a lot of houses, but I love this house more," Elis said on a separate occasion.

Meanwhile, the local RT chairman at the time, named Wasron, stated that Elis' family's economic condition is actually sufficient. She is said to have many rental properties and a catering business, while her husband is busy with trading in Tanah Abang market.

"They offered Rp 5 billion (from the apartment management), but she refused to accept it. She said, just listen to it. Rp 3 billion or something like that," said Roni, his nickname.

Roni is still curious about what makes Elis stay. He feels that Elis is hiding something in her house, which she calls 'treasure', although Roni thinks it's just an excuse.

"That's what she said. Normal people are different. That's it. She said it contains uranium, that's all. It's been a long time, like 10 years ago," said the 42-year-old man, laughing.