Abstract：Beijing Municipality has designated a total of 1056 historical buildings since 2019, over 1/4 of which are classified
into a unique category of residential quarters by the authority. These heritages were constructed between the 1920s and
the 1990s, and include diverse subtypes such as ministry dormitories, research institute dormitories, faculty residences,
diplomat apartments, and municipal public housing. They provide physical evidence of Beijing’s urban housing
development, particularly exhibiting the residential construction achievements in the capital of China. This article
examines the 22 residential quarters and 285 historical buildings in this category, based on study materials including
original design drawings, historical construction literature, field surveys, interviews with original architects and current
residents, and remote sensing maps. The article firstly analyzes the major characteristics of these residential quarters
in terms of construction time, location, size, ownership, spatial layout, and architectural design, and identifies their
multidimensional value. Secondly, it examines their current conditions regarding heritage preservation and residential
use to identify key problems. Finally, it discusses the major challenges in current conservation and utilization of these
heritages as well as possible solutions.
