Shanghai Skyscraper Named World's Best
Monday, January 5th, 2009
Though Asian cities like Hong Kong and Tokyo have more recognizable skylines, Shanghai is rapidly approaching the same level of notoriety with its tall urban buildings. Beijing might have basked in the world’s spotlight during the Olympics, but corporations looking to invest in China’s growing economy find that Shanghai’s buildings make them feel more at home…and more able to find a home for their China offices.
But the attraction goes beyond the suit and tie set. Shanghai is a modern city, to be sure. While some people think that means that it is not attractive, others find the new styles of design and the blending of cultural elements to be quite exciting. And with a city of such massive size, there is bound to be something for everyone in Shanghai.
The Shanghai World Financial Center is almost a microcosm of the modern parts of the city itself. This is no mere collection of corporate offices with an observation deck on top. Sure, the view from the observation deck is quite impressive. Though 70 of the building’s floors are used for office space, there is also a hotel on the upper floors (providing one of the best views of any hotel in the world. The lower part of the building consists primarily of retail space. Upscale boutiques dominate.
Originally set to be the world’s tallest building. A construction stoppage, brought on by the 1997 Asian financial crisis, stopped that goal from being reached. Taipei 101, and soon the Burj Dubai, stands taller than Shanghai. But, at least according to Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, Shanghai’s design puts it in a class by itself.