The first Centre Pompidou authorized themed store in East China's Shandong province began trial operations on Aug 8.

Located at the historic former site of British American Tobacco, the store is described as having an exciting blend of modern art and heritage architecture in Jinan, capital of Shandong.

Established in 1919, the historic site has been a witness to Jinan's development as a commercial port and was listed as a listed provincial cultural relic in 2013. The south-facing building is designed in the Italian Renaissance style and comprises three floors plus an attic.

The Centre Pompidou in Paris houses one of the world's largest collections of modern and contemporary art and it's renowned for its iconic multicolored external piping architecture and for being home to masterpieces by globally revered artists including Marcel Duchamp and Henri Matisse.

The store, which integrates this world-renowned institution into the time-honored building, preserves historical features such as the red brick walls and the Mansard roofs, while embracing modern renovations.

The themed store offers authorized replica artworks and features a themed retail area selling art merchandise. It also hosts exhibitions centered on masterpieces and sets up interactive activities, reading spaces and an area for co-creation — allowing visitors to engage in a variety of cultural experiences.

Meanwhile, neighboring shops including bars and bookstores are scheduled to open, bringing a variety of great retail scenarios to customers.

Incorporating the Centre Pompidou outlet is set to transform the old commercial port in the city into a fine example of cultural and artistic commerce. Moreover, the opening of the themed store provides high-end recreational amenities for local residents and is expected to create jobs, injecting more impetus into the local economy.

An arresting exhibit at Shandong's first Centre Pompidou authorized store. [Photo/Dazhong News]

The grand exterior view of the Centre Pompidou authorized themed store, which blends historic architecture with modern art. [Photo/Dazhong News]