People walk in Qianmen Street in Beijing on July 28, 2008. The rejuvenation project of Qianmen Street, one of the oldest streets in Beijing, has come to an end after about fifteen months. [Xinhua]

The Qianmen project, costing about US$300 million, has triggered controversy since it was launched. Some preservationists feared that the area might lose its spirit after traditional one-storey courtyards, a symbol of old Beijing, were forced to make way for upmarket residences and commercial outlets.

But Wang defended the project, saying all buildings along the street were built in original style in order to retain traditional touches.

"The project has received a positive response from some 40,000 local legislators, scholars, experts, residents, foreigners and media who were invited to pay visits here," he said.

Parking facilities, mobile toilets and interpreters will be deployed around Qianmen Street to make it a convenient shopping area, he said.

Tian Yun, chairman of the Qianmen developer Tianjie Real Estate Company, told the press conference that 9.5 billion yuan (US$1.37 billion) would eventually be invested to restore the greater Qianmen area, which includes one million square meters of courtyard residential area.

He also confirmed media reports that some international brand-names, reportedly including Starbucks, Nike, Prada and Rolex, would occupy half of the street's shops.