Minyuan Stadium at the heart of the Wudadao Culture Tourism Area is a major tourist attraction in Tianjin. [Photo/China daily]

Having renovated some of its historical Western-style buildings, Tianjin is hoping to lure more global securities and insurance companies to set up regional headquarters in the city.

Jia Jinwei, head of the Building and Tower Office in the city's Heping district, told China Daily that the district is inviting companies that have left to come back.

The district government said some 500 foreign securities and insurance companies once had a presence in the city.

Tianjin is home to about 2,000 examples of historical architecture, varying in style from Gothic to Renaissance. Designed and built by businesses from around the world in the late 19th and early 20th century, the buildings were dubbed “a kaleidoscope of Western architecture”.

Renovations started 10 years ago. A total of 90 buildings have almost completed restoration and of these, 60 of which opened for lease in late 2018.

Germany's Max Bogl Technological Consulting and Japan's Kyowa Tianyang Shipping Co are two of the first companies planning to relocate to the buildings.

Government authorities said a number of companies are finalizing leasing contracts and will move into the buildings.

"It is the profound historical and cultural environment and the stylish, historical buildings that attracted us to establish our regional headquarters here,” said Wu Hanming, president of China Energy Engineering Group's North China branch.

A Belfran building on Jiefang North Road in Tianjin. [Photo/China daily]

A former residence of Yan Huiqing, who served as China’s premier in 1926. The European-style building is among the city's heritage sites under protection. [Photo/China daily]