The former residence (1924) of the Jewish Kadoorie family, the Children's Palace was embellished in great splendour. The famous stucco-adorned ballroom (commonly known as the Marble Hall), takes its name from the two huge chimneys built with marble from Italy; the first floor was used for bedrooms. Abandoned for several years after the family fled to Hong Kong, the palace was chosen by Song Qingling in 1953 to serve as a venue for sports and creative activities for needy children in the city.