The new Shanghai Center—a 580 meter skyscraper—will begin construction this year according to reports in Chinese media. Nicknamed the Shanghai Dragon, the building’s design by the architectural firm Gensler was selected in a competition, beating a design by Norman Foster’s firm.
The Shanghai Dragon stands a small chance of being the tallest building in the world for a little while, unless Dubai’s Burj building (636 m, under construction) is completed first. Dubai is also considering a proposal for a 1,200 meter tower of power called Al Burj, which also has a Chinese connection: the design is by Pei Partnership Architects, run by Chien Chung and Li Chung Pei, the sons of the renowned I. M. Pei.
The slightly more modest Shanghai Dragon, with 118 floors of steel, concrete and glass, will tower over the nearby Pudong landmarks Shanghai World Financial Center (492 m, under construction), Oriental Pearl TV Tower (468 m) and the Jinmao Tower (420.5 m), home of Shanghai’s Hyatt Hotel.
Beijing’s tallest building, currently nearing completion, is the China World Tower 3 at 330 meters, while Guangzhou will soon boast the 437.5 meter tall Guangzhou International Finance Center.
- Skyscraper Page: China tallest skyscrapers illustrated
- Shanghai Daragon architects Gensler
- Shanghaiist: “The Dragon” to descend on the Shanghai city skyline
- Xinhua: Construction of high-rise “Shanghai Center” to start (story from February 2008)
- Skyscraper Page: Images of different entries in competition to design Shanghai Center
- Wikipedia: Shanghai Center (image source)
- Pei Partnership Architects
- Dubai’s proposed Al Burj building
- Danwei: China World Phase 3
- Skyscraper Page: Guangzhou International Finance Center
Shanghai Daily: Dragon to dwarf the city’s skyline