Large Chinese Family Builds 15-Story Condo to Live Together with Over 100 Family Members

The Ju family in Quanzhou, China, chose an innovative approach to family living by gathering funds from 20 family branches to build a 15-story residential building for collective living. The building, located in Juyuan Village, sits on over 400 square meters of land with 15 above-ground floors and 2 basement levels. Each floor has 2 rooms of approximately 200 square meters, making it stand out among other houses in the village. The building features an elevator system, with basement floors used for parking cars and electric bicycles. The first floor, originally intended as a shop, was converted into a food storage area and children's play space. Floors 2 to 12 are residential, containing 22 total rooms. The building operates without a formal management committee, relying instead on family traditions and member discipline. 70-year-old Mr. Ju, who initiated the project in 2016, explains that the building houses four generations of family members, numbering over 100 people. Although most young members work in different locations, the building remains lively with around 30 elderly and children present on regular days. During Chinese New Year, the building fills with returning family members. Local officials noted that while the building was constructed about 10 years ago when regulations were more lenient, current rules implemented in April 2023 now restrict self-built homes to a maximum of 3 floors and 15.5 meters in height. When online discussions emerged questioning whether the building was an act of showing off wealth, Mr. Ju firmly stated, 'This is the root of our family, not a money-making tool.'