The idea of a dīngzihù (nail house) is becoming more commonplace in China, with the term referring to owners who refuse to vacate their properties and end up having structures built around them. The nail house name was coined by developers who likened their appearance to a nail that sticks out but is unable to be removed or knocked down.
The People's Republic of China (PRC) abolished private ownership of property, meaning the central government owned all real estate and could effectively build what it wanted and where it wanted.
This was strengthened by the likes of shopping malls popping up in densely populated areas in the '90s, and developers offering residents minimal compensation to leave their homes.
Things were helped by the introduction of China's first modern private property law in 2007, although there are plenty of nail houses (literally) sticking out like eyesores.
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As reported by the South China Morning Post, tofu vendor Ye Yushou's two-storey home is surrounded by an active construction site that’s complete with dust, vibrations, and noisy workers. It could've been a very different story if he'd accepted the 1.6 million yuan ($220,000) offer in 2022.
With Yushou turning down the monetary offer and additional promise of two other homes, the government simply started construction around his house that lies between Jinxi County's G206 highway and eastern China’s Jiangxi province. It's now referred to as the 'Eye of Jinxi', but as the construction crew has even made an access point for residents, it doesn't look like it'll be demolished or the government will come back with another offer.
Yushou's house is back in the news due to the highway accepting traffic for the upcoming Spring Festival.
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Speaking to visitors streaming outside his house, the trapped homeowner said he'd demanded 2 million yuan and three homesteads instead of what the government offered.
It's unclear how negotiations fell through, but the outlet notes that three neighboring houses were knocked down while construction simply went around Yushou's house.
Considering the highway circles the city and reportedly cost 460 million yuan ($63 million) to build, it was doubtful that the government was going to let a single house get in its way.
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Still, Yushou says he spent the equivalent of $14,000 to hire a Beijing lawyer to negotiate with the government. Locals said that while Yushou won a 'big prize', he 'failed to seize the opportunity'.
Over on Reddit, many warned about this cautionary tale, with one writing: "I expect he was holding out for more, thinking there's no way they can't build the highway without buying his house. He got greedy and FAFO."
Another added: "I’m all for his stubbornness to self but that has to be miserable. The anxiety of a crash happening and landing in the house would’ve been enough to sell."
A third said: "His neighbor took the compensation at the right time with fair price already become millionaire. All he wants is more, got nothing in the end. The last one always get nothing but regret."
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Someone else compared it to the story of Pixar's Up and joked: "Grandpa now preparing the balloons."
Whatever led to a highway being built around this house, it's not exactly top of our Zillow wishlist.