A building is a volume of human history, holding within its pages the stories and secrets of generations past and present. Building 173 in downtown Shanghai has witnessed three quarters of a century of the most dramatic upheaval in modern Chinese history. Its residents tell an intimate tale of how these violent changes have altered the course of their lives. This film weaves together the personal stories of its key characters to throw a uniquely personal light on the events that have shaped China over the past 75 years. The characters include a British American author, a Chinese business tycoon, a gangster, a Western educated diplomat, an opera star, a Red Guard and the building's lift operator. The film uses contemporary footage and animation to bring their fascinating stories to life.