The Only City in China with Two 500-Meter Skyscrapers
Follow your heart for a vacation, welcome to watch the latest episode. Previously, the editor introduced China's high-speed railways and bridges, which have gradually risen to the world's forefront, reflecting China's economic and technological strength. Recently, we introduced many skyscrapers in China. Although the world's tallest building is not in China, China's mainland accounts for six of the top ten, and China truly deserves the title of 'infrastructure maniac'.
Today's introduction is a city in China that is very powerful. It is one of the few cities in the world with two buildings that are 500 meters high (including under construction). It is also the only one of its kind in China. Many people may think it's Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, or Shenzhen – China's first-tier cities. It's one of China's four directly-controlled municipalities: Tianjin.
The first is the Tianjin Chow Tai Fook Financial Center, which is 530 meters high. It ranks 9th in the world for buildings already constructed. It has 100 floors and a total construction area of 390,000 square meters. It is a comprehensive complex including Grade A offices, luxury apartments, and a five-star hotel.
The Tianjin Chow Tai Fook Financial Center is invested and built by Chow Tai Fook Group. As everyone knows, Chow Tai Fook is China's largest jewelry company, and its stores can be seen in almost all cities in China. The total investment for the building exceeded 8 billion, it started construction in October 2014 and completed in September 2019, which is a relatively fast speed.
The other is the Tianjin 117 Building, which is 596.5 meters high. It is the 2nd in China and the 4th in the world. Why is it called the '117' building? Because the building drew wisdom from the *I Ching*. '7' in *I Ching* means 'Yang Sun', which is full of vitality and creativity. The building has 117 floors, so it's named '117'. The design also adopted the concept of 'Yang Sun' embracing 'Yin', integrating Chinese traditional culture and modern aesthetics. The building is square and simple, elegant and generous.
We know that China's tallest building is Shanghai Center, with a height of 632 meters, which is the second tallest building in the world. But its structural height is 580 meters. Structural height refers to the height of the reinforced concrete floor slab – the height of the roof, excluding antennas, steel frames, and crown structures. Guangzhou Tower, with a 150-meter antenna mast, reaches a total height of 600 meters. Tianjin's 117 Building is a real skyscraper, with a structural height of 596.5 meters, which means Tianjin's 117 Building is China's tallest structure.
The investor for the building is Hong Kong High Gain Properties, with a total investment of 18 billion. It started construction in September 2008 and has been rumored to be suspended. Although it hasn't been fully completed, the main structure has been capped. Compared to some buildings that are still facing financial difficulties or being restricted, Tianjin 117 Building has already realized its 596.5 meters height.
The construction of this building is very difficult, creating 11 world and Chinese records. Including the building's construction area reaching 847,000 square meters, which is the largest in the world. It will also have the world's highest indoor swimming pool at 564 meters and the world's highest observation hall at 579 meters. And the highest rotating restaurant at 584 meters. The latest news is that it has resumed construction and is expected to be put into use in 2020, which is very exciting.
It's undeniable that Tianjin City is very good at city construction. It occupies two of the top ten skyscrapers in the world, even Dubai, a powerful country, can't do it. What do you think about this? Welcome to leave a comment.
