On the afternoon of 22nd November 2004, a general construction contract signing ceremony of the main body of 101-storey Shanghai World Financial Centre was held at Jinmao Grand Hyatt Shanghai. A Chinese bidding alliance, consisting of China State Construction Engineering Corporation and Shanghai Construction Group, signed the $0.47-billion contract with Japan's Forest Overseas Co., Ltd., a member of the Mori Building Group and chief investor of the project. This ended 7-year preparations for and disputes over the project, a 9-month heated contention for the bid, as well as rumours doing round that the project had been cancelled.
Winning a value share of 70% of the contract, CSCEC became the first Chinese company to win an independent general contracting right of a foreign-funded, world-class skyscraper. CSCEC General Manager Sun Wenjie, who signed the contract, expressed his confidence that the building would be an "elaborate work" of his company. With the signing of the contract, the construction team will move in the building site at any time.
Investments in the skyscraper are reported to have grown from an initial $0.7 billion to $1.1 billion. As for its height, the officially disclosed is 492m. Sources say Japanese investors have proposed that it be raised to 510m so it could surpass Taipei 101's 508m as the world's No. 1, but the Shanghai side has rejected the proposal, saying the city has a limit to building heights and an overall consideration of the skylines on both sides of the Huangpu River.

Conception with SWFC on the far right
http://image2.xitek.com/forum/200501/1095/109572/109572_1105970129.jpg

Sources:
http://en.chinabroadcast.cn/2008/2004-11-23/118@171229.htm
http://archives.tcm.ie/irishexaminer/2004/10/11/story391432934.asp
http://www.ynet.com/view.jsp?oid=4139549
http://www.sh.xinhuanet.com/2004-11/23/content_3268986.htm
http://www.shanghai.gov.cn/shanghai/node2314/node2315/node4411/userobject21ai96347.html
http://www.pudong.gov.cn/front/newsCenterContent.jsp?parentId=72101&contentId=5999001
http://news.online.sh.cn/news/gb/content/2004-11/23/content_1028848.htm
http://app.cscec.com.cn/enterprise/jsp/templet/browse/TempletRecordShow.jsp?BrowseTID=14&baseDn=page%3D14514%2Cou%3D11115%2Cou%3D11114%2Cou%3D10003%2Cou%3DData%2Cou%3Dcscec.com.cn%2Co%3Deast&domain=cscec.com.cn&definePk=10003&recordDetailTid=15&sysLanguage=cn'
http://www.xitek.com

How many times have we heard this story? :)

This project keeps being delayed, then resumed, then delayed, then resumed, then delayed, then resumed ...... :dizzy:

another joke, lol.

This is useless, the same news once again. The tower will noy become the worlds tallest either, this source is not to trust at all!

Gah, I've been hearing about this tower's construction almost since I first got the internet in 1997. . .

whatever the truth is behind this post, I cannot deny that tis is one tower I want to see when im older :yes:

It seems that they really building it. And they building extrem fast

The picture are from avcellvs in the SSP Forum.


January 14th
http://image2.xitek.com/forum/200501/545/54574/54574_1105682702.jpg
The pics are taken on January 28th
http://image2.xitek.com/forum/200501/545/54574/54574_1106815873.jpg
http://image2.xitek.com/forum/200501/545/54574/54574_1106816330.jpg

It's really going this time. Trust me, there are huge swarms of construction workers; I often eat at a Japanese restaurant across the street.

Well whatever status its "really" in, I really hope that article is true because I really want to see the SWFC get completed and I'm sure a great many of us do too!!!

This is going to be my favorite skyscraper if it's built.. It looks amazing! Nice to know construction has resumed. :)

This is going to be my favorite skyscraper if it's built..
Mine too.

Burj Dubai might have the greater height, but SWFC will have the more stunning design imho. :yes:

http://skyscraperpage.com/gallery/data/570/28shanghai-wfc.jpg

http://www.lera.com/pimg/shanghaiwfc/9730530_large.jpg

the article IS true. they have been working on the foundations for a few months now and the site's teeming with activity. if you want to see more pics, find this building's construction thread in SSP.

i like this building far more than burj dubai also. imo, burj dubai looks rather cluttered with its numerous setbacks while swfc has a real clean cut shape to it, simple yet powerful in its own right. very original design. i wish that it sticked with the 466m height instead of 492m so it won't dwarf jin mao as much, but the current height's all rite i guess...

even if it won't be the wtb when it's finished in 2007, it'll still beat taipei 101 if you compare the two buildings' roof height.

Sometimes I forget that this project is being built. Maybe it would be cool if they end up increasing the roof height to pass the spire in Taipei.

Sometimes I forget that this project is being built. Maybe it would be cool if they end up increasing the roof height to pass the spire in Taipei.
I hope they increase the high to 510 or 515m. It would be nice to have a new world tallest even it is only for one year

those pics look reassuring...Shanghai's skyline will get the much needed boost if this is built, although it looks great already

It won't ever be the world's tallest, not even for a second, judging by the speed of construction. The construction of Burj Dubai will probably finish before SWFC....what a shame!!

how can this one be world's tallest?
i thought it's gonna be 492m, you all know t 101's height
i know there were rumours about a height extension, but this obviously won't happen

It won't ever be the world's tallest, not even for a second, judging by the speed of construction. The construction of Burj Dubai will probably finish before SWFC....what a shame!!
Burj Dubai is 400m taller; it may finish a few months later.

It won't ever be the world's tallest, not even for a second, judging by the speed of construction. The construction of Burj Dubai will probably finish before SWFC....what a shame!!

I have seen many pics of the construction of the Union Square Phase 7 and the Shanghai World Financial Center. They building in Shanghai 2 times faster. In March 2004 there was gras and no sign of construction. And now they building the underground floors. Be sure they building super fast.


The official high is 492m but they can still make it taller.
It wouldn`t surprise me.

Burj Dubai is 400m taller; it may finish a few months later.

It doesn't matter... I'd take the design of the SWFC over the Burj Dubai's any day... When the ability to make supertalls is clearly a norm, it doesn't really matter to have the title of the "world's tallest" seeing how it will never last.

But still, this one plus the old WTC in New York on top is Burj Bubai... pretty crazy

Looks like a beeropener:)

http://www.lera.com/pimg/shanghaiwfc/9730530_large.jpg
Oh....can't help falling in love with her.
so tall ...so beautiful. :)

http://image2.xitek.com/forum/200501/545/54574/54574_1105682702.jpg
I think they need some time on the underground works, should be patient a little bit because it looks like really enormous underground indeed.
:)

When the ability to make supertalls is clearly a norm, it doesn't really matter to have the title of the "world's tallest" seeing how it will never last.

Sorry, but these ~500m buildings aren't "Supertalls" anymore... they're just "tall". Al Burj and Burj Dubai have re-defined "supertall". YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAH!!!!!! :cheers:

Sorry, but these ~500m buildings aren't "Supertalls" anymore... they're just "tall". Al Burj and Burj Dubai have re-defined "supertall". YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAH!!!!!! :cheers:
500m still constitutes supertall; it's ones under 400m that got demoted.

500m still constitutes supertall; it's ones under 400m that got demoted.

Even then.....I consider anything above 300m to be "supertall". In the US, there is only one skyscraper in that category (west of the Mississippi, that is).

Didn't know "the book" was being re-written by some of you.

This is a supertall freak and it's going to be amazing.

Unusual to see a huge round foundation pit :nuts:

The renders (and pics) in this thread are super ;)

i think anything over 350m (300m even) is super tall, and this one is a mammoth indeed :D

If you include the underground floors, the overall height of the tower will be well over 500m. I reckon it would be about 530m.

Yeah but since when do underground floors contribute to the height of a tower?

So I guess it might actually be finished this time! Finally! After what, seven years?

Even then.....I consider anything above 300m to be "supertall". In the US, there is only one skyscraper in that category (west of the Mississippi, that is).
Houston has two 300m towers.

It's America's problem that it builds sideways and not upwards. Soon the entire world's tallest 10 list will be Asian buildings, all taller than 400m, and I consider that redefinition of the term. :)

On the afternoon of 29th January 2005, the concrete packing engineering, the biggest of its kind in Shanghai's history, of the foundation plate of the main tower of Shanghai World Financial Centre was basically finished. This marked the formal and overall start of the construction of the giant skyscraper.

Figures of SWFC:
Plot name: Z4-1, Lujiazui Financial and Trade Zone
Plot area: 30,000m2
Solidity of foundation plate: 28,000m3
Number of storeys: 3 underground, 101 above ground
Height (in whatever way of measuring): 492m
Height Ranking in the world at completion: No. 1, in terms of net height
Total floor area: 377,300m2
Total investments: reportedly US$1.1 billion
General construction contract value: about US$0.47 billion
Completion date: between November 2007 and January 2008
Distance from Jinmao Building: 40m

http://news.tom.com/img/assets/200501/050130094717ls05013021.jpg
http://news.tom.com/img/assets/200501/050130094730ls05013022.jpg
http://news.tom.com/img/assets/200501/050130094724ls05013023.jpg

Main Source: China Daily

good news, any idea how much concrete was poured?

If you read the other thread about SWFC, the Japanese proposed a height increase to 510m but the shanghai people rejected it, so it's stayin the way it is.

10025, really thx for your effort to show us all these links, but only the second link out of all the news links work. If you right click the link and check the "properties", the URL got "..." somewhere in the url. I guess the reply system in this forum put that in somehow. I guess take out the "http://www." part of all link to avoid this problem. thx!

As for how much concrete was poured, I guess the volume was the same as the solidity (volume) of the foundation plate: 28,000m3.

If you read the other thread about SWFC, the Japanese proposed a height increase to 510m but the shanghai people rejected it, so it's stayin the way it is.

Why did the Shanghainese reject the height increase? If it was going to be 510m, would it be THE world's tallest?

Here it is from the other thread by 10025:

On the afternoon of 22nd November 2004, a general construction contract signing ceremony of the main body of 101-storey Shanghai World Financial Centre was held at Jinmao Grand Hyatt Shanghai. A Chinese bidding alliance, consisting of China State Construction Engineering Corporation and Shanghai Construction Group, signed the $0.47-billion contract with Japan's Forest Overseas Co., Ltd., a member of the Mori Building Group and chief investor of the project. This ended 7-year preparations for and disputes over the project, a 9-month heated contention for the bid, as well as rumours doing round that the project had been cancelled.
Winning a value share of 70% of the contract, CSCEC became the first Chinese company to win an independent general contracting right of a foreign-funded, world-class skyscraper. CSCEC General Manager Sun Wenjie, who signed the contract, expressed his confidence that the building would be an "elaborate work" of his company. With the signing of the contract, the construction team will move in the building site at any time.
Investments in the skyscraper are reported to have grown from an initial $0.7 billion to $1.1 billion. As for its height, the officially disclosed is 492m. Sources say Japanese investors have proposed that it be raised to 510m so it could surpass Taipei 101's 508m as the world's No. 1, but the Shanghai side has rejected the proposal, saying the city has a limit to building heights and an overall consideration of the skylines on both sides of the Huangpu River.


From that article, it will never be WTB.

shanghainese is getting smart this time, i guess they knew that dubai is definitely building buji dubai. If they keep increasing swfc height (redesign, more funding etc). They will never get swfc going in decades.

Sorry, but these ~500m buildings aren't "Supertalls" anymore... they're just "tall". Al Burj and Burj Dubai have re-defined "supertall". YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAH!!!!!! :cheers:
Burj dubai is "Mégatall" :)

Burj dubai is "Mégatall" :)

I LIKE IT! Okay, so these 400m-500m buildings can keep their "Supertall" category... Burj Dubai and Al Burj are in a league of their own, the "MEGATALL"!!!!!!! :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:

OMG that hole is GINORMOUS!! Even bigger than Union Square.
Can't wait to see the building pop out of the ground.

This is great, thanks for the information 10025. That hole looks so big.

Sorry, but these ~500m buildings aren't "Supertalls" anymore... they're just "tall". Al Burj and Burj Dubai have re-defined "supertall". YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAH!!!!!! :cheers:

Dubai hasn't redefined anything until they're actually built. I'll believe it when I actually see it. How many supertalls have been seriously proposed in the past century that never came into being?

this is really great news!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! hope to see UC pics!

YEH!

Jesus. 40 m from Jin Mao. Oh my...

yup, if they did anything seriously wrong when digging the hole (which obviously is finished by now), the Jin Mao will come down...

yup, if they did anything seriously wrong when digging the hole (which obviously is finished by now), the Jin Mao will come down...

and why would the Jin Mao come down?

Yeah why would it. It would always tip to the other side. :D

FINALLY! Hopefully we wont hear in 3 months that its stopped again.

and why would the Jin Mao come down?

when such huge hole exists next to a large building, that hole must be well reinforced (which apparent it did). If not, the water pressure coming from river/sea is strong enough to move the land (the whole area between the sea and the hole) horizontally inward. It would dislocate any building foundation along the way. This force is not strong enough to make the building collapse right away, but rather a slow and long process. Making the tower lean toward one direction due step 1) the water pressure force pushing the parameter reinforcement wall of Jin Mao; step 2) dislocate the absolute position of the whole parameter wall; 3) slowing shifting the flloor slab of the basement floor as the results; 4) additional horizontal force for structural columns around the basement area caused by shifting of floor slab and the whole parameter wall; 5) Possible bending of major structural columns; 6) uneven distribution of downward pressure (coz of the weight of the tower) onto the foundation mat and piling. 7) off-center sinking of foundation due to uneven of pressure. 8) leaning of tower as the result.
The whole process could take months. (all this is assuming the swfc hole is badly reinforced throughout the time of this process)

Good explanation, vincent. Once horizontal beams are in place, the lateral pressure should ease.

nah, the hole is already reinforced now.

True, with the foundation plate completed it should be fine.

Wish I am in Shanghai the whole time to watch the construction. I won't be there for another few months.

I definitely see changes now...hope to see more in time to come! :banana:

the hole is reinforced even w/o the foundation plate.

Supertall is just a term used for a very tall building. It isn't even an official term in describing tall objects. I agree with HK4Ever in that Burj Dubai and Al Burj are the new benchmark of supertall. If you go with the term "megatall" then what is next and at what point? Ultratall perhaps?

I feel that the Burj Dubai is the new benchmark for SUPERtall. It's height category is SUPERior to that of the 400 to 500m buildings going up. Those are now very tall buildings. If Bionic Tower was built at 1250m then it will then be superior to BD and the like.

The word "super" simply means superior to everything in lesser categories.

This is why I hate Pudong. These would be two great buildings (without the huge base structures), if they were built into the city fabric somehow. They'd look great poking out of a mass of older buildings, right along the street. But instead, they're standing in the Chinese equivalent of a suburban office park, with huge, wide streets that one can't cross on foot separating them from anything else:

http://www.lera.com/pimg/shanghaiwfc/9730530_large.jpg

You call Lujiazui of Pudong a "suburban"? It's right beside the oldest part of Bund on Puxi, and will be the center of center of Shanghai.

And your picture is way outdated, lol.

You can walk around Lujiazui just fine; I do it all the time, for lunch. :p It is easily accessible via subway and numerous bus routes. Lack of congestion does not necessarily mean it is an "office park."

You can walk around Lujiazui just fine; I do it all the time, for lunch. :p It is easily accessible via subway and numerous bus routes. Lack of congestion does not necessarily mean it is an "office park."

Lack of congestion is actually ideal for a CBD of a large, major city such as Shanghai. If the CBD is accessible via subway and bus routes, then its already efficient.

However, if by lack of congestion gives you the impression that Pudong is an empty business park because it lacks life, then I can somehow understand, but don't forget that Pudong is still under construction and not everything is done.

From that last rendering, SWFC is more than 40m away from Jin Mao.

From that last rendering, SWFC is more than 40m away from Jin Mao.
Perhaps they mean the edge of the SWFC plot?

Lack of congestion is actually ideal for a CBD of a large, major city such as Shanghai. If the CBD is accessible via subway and bus routes, then its already efficient.

However, if by lack of congestion gives you the impression that Pudong is an empty business park because it lacks life, then I can somehow understand, but don't forget that Pudong is still under construction and not everything is done.
One important difference with Puxi is that Pudong's office towers do not have commercial establishments at ground level; that is a primary contributing factor to the area's relative desertion. Also, the area is too large to be walkable as far as sightseeing goes.

One important difference with Puxi is that Pudong's office towers do not have commercial establishments at ground level; that is a primary contributing factor to the area's relative desertion. Also, the area is too large to be walkable as far as sightseeing goes.


Good observation, however, in the future i would think that would change. As Pudong gets more and more developed, Lujiazui will begin to look more like other major CBD's in the world...

Good observation, however, in the future i would think that would change. As Pudong gets more and more developed, Lujiazui will begin to look more like other major CBD's in the world...
The main difference is in the street grid. Lujiazui's CBD is planned such that each building has a vast plaza surrounding it, unlike most CBDs. This both lowers overall density and also prevents street-level activity. Saying Pudong is an office park overlooks Shanghai residents' reliance on public transportation and taxis. Without private automobiles, there will always be people walking around. :)

when is it gonna be done if ever?

when is it gonna be done if ever?
2008; construction is proceeding normally.

@ avcellvs
If you here, read my message.
You are my hero.


@all
Some new pics from him
date 17 feb.

[url]http://www2.xitek.com/forum/200502/545/54574/54574_1108630514.jpg
[url]http://www2.xitek.com/forum/200502/545/54574/54574_1108630412.jpg
[url]http://www2.xitek.com/forum/200502/545/54574/54574_1108630447.jpg

EDIT:
Copy the link.

From the pics above, work is actually progressing very quick, given that it's been idle for a while. Would probably need another half a year to rise above ground but at this rate, who knows.

i cant see them it says direct linking prohibited :(

any solutions?

i cant see them it says direct linking prohibited :(

any solutions?

Copy the URL and paste it in your adress bar

Of all the supertalls under construction, this is my favorite one to keep track of. Can't wait till they start to construct around that giant hole at the top. I understand that it is so big, a jumbo jet can fly through it. I wonder what lighting they will install to highlight that hole at night time.

Any pic of the construction by now?

I found these images on a forum. They're up-to-date and exciting.

http://image2.xitek.com/forum/200412/545/54574/54574_1104481235.jpg
http://image2.xitek.com/forum/200501/545/54574/54574_1106815679.jpg
http://image2.xitek.com/forum/200501/545/54574/54574_1107062666.jpg
http://image2.xitek.com/forum/200412/545/54574/54574_1104482190.jpg
http://image2.xitek.com/forum/200502/1443/144308/144308_1107245110.jpg
http://image2.xitek.com/forum/200501/1293/129322/129322_1105295573.jpg
http://image2.xitek.com/forum/200501/1293/129322/129322_1105295500.jpg
http://image2.xitek.com/forum/200501/1293/129322/129322_1105295309.jpg
http://image2.xitek.com/forum/200501/1293/129322/129322_1105295222.jpg
http://image2.xitek.com/forum/200501/1293/129322/129322_1105295646.jpg
http://image2.xitek.com/forum/200412/1293/129322/129322_1103556938.jpg
http://image2.xitek.com/forum/200412/1293/129322/129322_1103478474.jpg
http://image2.xitek.com/forum/200412/1293/129322/129322_1103558410.jpg
http://image2.xitek.com/forum/200412/1293/129322/129322_1103557573.jpg
http://image2.xitek.com/forum/200412/1293/129322/129322_1103557348.jpg
http://image2.xitek.com/forum/200412/1293/129322/129322_1103478581.jpg
http://image.xitek.com/forum/upload/1293/129322/129322_1101393728.jpg
http://image2.xitek.com/forum/upload/1095/109572/109572_1101999245.jpg

That's very interesting stuff......thanks a lot for sharing!

Nice pics, thanks for sharing 10025. :okay:

Btw, those pics from the observation view looks to be from a video, would be nice if that video exist somewhere where its able to be downloaded!

With an architecture like that, who damn cares if it will ever be a WTB.
I would like to think that, by 2010, all the towering projects approved for Shanghai will be really built.

i wish these poofters would hurry up and build this building ! its taking tooo boody long ! its just bullshit !

cheers

lozza !

Good pics and explanation. I love that pic with the jin mao, you can just imagine how huge this building would be.

Grr, when will they build over that stupid golf range?

Hey.... what does mean the section red??? i dont know :? :?

http://image2.xitek.com/forum/upload/1095/109572/109572_1101999245.jpg

http://image.xitek.com/forum/upload/1293/129322/129322_1101393728.jpg

heck yes

Copy the URL and paste it in your adress bar


Again a pic rom avcellvs from the SSP
Date Feb 25th
http://image2.xitek.com/forum/200502/545/54574/54574_1109330260.jpg

the foundation is pretty similar to the US7 in hong kong, isn't it????

^ From the air, ya. Am sure it's different in that hole, I think this one is deeper from the looks of it.

Thx for your replies.
1. Below is a perspective from across the Huangpu River. It explains why the proposed Sun Hung Kai twin towers look taller than Jinmao.
http://image2.xitek.com/forum/upload/1095/109572/109572_1101999245.jpg
2. Below is the observation bridge in the big hole high in the sky. Just imagine you're on it……
http://image.xitek.com/forum/upload/1293/129322/129322_1101393728.jpg

the thing i love about this building is that it doesnt need a spire to cheat or make it grander or taller ! its just has the roof !

cheers

lozza :bash:

the thing i love about this building is that it doesnt need a spire to cheat or make it grander or taller ! its just has the roof !

cheers

lozza :bash:

That's what I love about this building and Union Square 7 in Hong Kong.

Now, I wanna see more pictures of the hole. :) It would be cool if they decided to make the building taller than originally planned as well.

are they still going to have that ferris-wheel at the top?

are they still going to have that ferris-wheel at the top?

Never heard of this ^^

March 2nd.
Thanks to Acvelles @SSP

http://image2.xitek.com/forum/200503/545/54574/54574_1109727100.jpg

oh I've seen models and renderings where they showed off a ferris wheel revolving inside the hole.

anyway cool update!

Thx for your replies.
1. Below is a perspective from across the Huangpu River. It explains why the proposed Sun Hung Kai twin towers look taller than Jinmao.
http://image2.xitek.com/forum/upload/1095/109572/109572_1101999245.jpg
2. Below is the observation bridge in the big hole high in the sky. Just imagine you're on it……
http://image.xitek.com/forum/upload/1293/129322/129322_1101393728.jpg

That's cool, so I'm guessing this thing's gonna be "open air" obersvation? What's the height of the observation deck? I honestly think this will be one of the best observation decks in the world due to the size. Wouldn't you be looking down at the Pearl of Orient's deck?

whoa can't wait!!!

are they still going to have that ferris-wheel at the top?

Yes there was supposed to be a ferris wheel encased behind the glass of the hole. It was going to have big cars similar to London's big ferris wheel. I remember seeing it on some TV show. Whether or not it is still planned to be in there I don't know.

great...can't wate to visit it

I can't wait for this one to start rising properly. It's beautiful.

The following is a post of mine in another thread started by me on this forum.

SWFC will be the peak of the planned skyline of Shanghai's Pudong New District. The planned skyline is just half finished by now. Many new tall buildings will rise there in the next few years.
Below is a map of Lujiazui area, which is the core of Pudong. Buildings already completed are marked in blue, and buildings under construction or to be built are in red. According to an original planning, in Lujiazui there will be 3 supertalls standing side by side. They are Jinmao, SWFC and another one which has not been in the news for a long time. (This last one is of course not the proposed Sun Hung Kai twin towers; it's much taller than the twins.)
Besides Lujiazui, in other areas of Pudong there are, and there will be, many tall builidings as well. It's difficult to find their maps.

http://image.xitek.com/forum/upload/1293/129322/129322_1098452010.jpg

Will this building be taller than taipei 101?

Will this building be taller than taipei 101?

No it will not be.. unless something special happens.

who cares whether its taller than Tapei 101, This is far far far far far far far more beautiful. This is the sexiest supertall U/C or proposed anywhere at the moment.

I thought they had to massively scale back skyscraper projects in Shanghai cos the city is sinking too fast...?

I thought they had to massively scale back skyscraper projects in Shanghai cos the city is sinking too fast...?
The city sinks due to groundwater overuse; the buildings naturally cause a depleted aquifer to cave in. Diversify water sources, and the city will be fine. It should not take long for a city at sea level to replenish its groundwater.

This is a conception of SWFC, Jinmao and, on the left, the third supertall I mentioned in my last post. According to some sources, this last supertall will be taller than Jinmao and slightly shorter than SWFC, so there will a best skyline in Lujiazui.

http://news.tom.com/images/newspic/1003chen01b.JPG

that is good news

This is a conception of SWFC, Jinmao and, on the left, the third supertall I mentioned in my last post. According to some sources, this last supertall will be taller than Jinmao and slightly shorter than SWFC, so there will a best skyline in Lujiazui.

http://news.tom.com/images/newspic/1003chen01b.JPG

That's cool. Where can we get more information on this new supertall? I wonder what it's gonna be called. Hell they should just make it the tallest building in China. :)

According to the planning by the Shanghai Municipal Government, three supertalls, which will form a triangle, will be built in Lujiazui and stand as symbols of the area and even the whole city. Of these buildings, SWFC will be the farthest from the Bund, and so will be the tallest. As for the third one, in 2002 Hu Wei, head of Pudong New District, said it was not urgent to find investors for it or give it a name right now, and arrangements could be put off until a few years later. He explained, "Buildings mark their times, and some time gap can add more change and charm to buildings."

According to the planning by the Shanghai Municipal Government, three supertalls, which will form a triangle, will be built in Lujiazui and stand as symbols of the area and even the whole city. Of these buildings, SWFC will be the farthest from the Bund, and so will be the tallest. As for the third one, head of Pudong New District said it was not urgent to find investors for it or give it a name right now, and arrangements could be put off until a few years later. He meant time gaps between completion of the three buildings would give a change and thus more charm to the skyline.


Thanks for the update.

Shanghai has picked excellent choices for it's buildings in the area from the Futurisitic Pearl of Orient tower, to the classic looking Jin Mao and now the Modern looking SWFC. No other structure looks like them.

I hope to see the rest of the land "filled" in with some lower level density so the supertalls kinda look like they're coming out of a city kinda like how Chicago's tallest seem to rise out of some density

Chicago:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v281/Texas90/Delta-MD88-CHICAGO-93004.jpg




Anyway, I think the SWFC's gonna look better in real life than any renderings. It's gonna sparkle.

^ I like your chicago pic. Shanghai will beat that in the next few years to come in the pudong area.

I hope to see the rest of the land "filled" in with some lower level density so the supertalls kinda look like they're coming out of a city kinda like how Chicago's tallest seem to rise out of some density

Yes that would make Shanghai look better. Seattle looks like that from an airplane too. Having the tallest buildings surrounded by shorter buildings that get shorter the further you go from the tallest makes a city look more real and natural.

"Buildings mark their times, and some time gap can add more change and charm to buildings."

not to mention character.

Throwing them up all at once makes them forgotten all too fast.

this building certainly is going to have a lot of character; is one of my favorites, i can't wait to see it growing..

Some visibel changes

March 11th. By Avcevllvs SSP

http://image2.xitek.com/forum/200503/545/54574/54574_1110543092.jpg

http://image2.xitek.com/forum/200503/545/54574/54574_1110543327.jpg

not to mention character.

Throwing them up all at once makes them forgotten all too fast.
Like it happened to ESB, Chrysler, AI and the Trump Building in New York? :)

Some visibel changes

March 11th. By Avcevllvs SSP

http://image2.xitek.com/forum/200503/545/54574/54574_1110543092.jpg

http://image2.xitek.com/forum/200503/545/54574/54574_1110543327.jpg

Wow, somethings finally sticking up.

wonderful

Another rendering which was posted around here two years ago. But i can find the image online anymore, so i took a photo of this printed rendering.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v188/cityx/Architecture/DSCN0059.jpg

If the building is as good as the rendering, this building is going to be FAB.

Another rendering which was posted around here two years ago. But i can find the image online anymore, so i took a photo of this printed rendering.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v188/cityx/Architecture/DSCN0059.jpg


I wanna lick it. It looks as cool as ice. :drool:

that's clear its going to be one of my fav

I wanna lick it. It looks as cool as ice. :drool:

:laugh: so lick this version I've found on my HD,it's tastier ;)
http://img13.exs.cx/img13/598/shanghaiworldfinancialcenter3s.jpg

:laugh: so lick this version I've found on my HD,it's tastier ;)
http://img13.exs.cx/img13/598/shanghaiworldfinancialcenter3s.jpg

That's awesome. Thanks. :)

:laugh: so lick this version I've found on my HD,it's tastier ;)
http://img13.exs.cx/img13/598/shanghaiworldfinancialcenter3s.jpg


Exellent Phobos :okay: That was the version i once printed out, but forgot to save it on my PC. :) Thanx a lot!

^^Anytime dudes!

great render!
i love this building, is going to be one of my favs, no doubt about it!

That's awesome. Thanks. :)
wow nice

SWFC
Floor functions: B1F-B3F: Parking / B1F-B2F: Shops / 1F-2F: Lobby / 2F-3F: Shops / 3F-5F: Art gallery / 7F-27F: Offices / 28F-29F: Sky lobby / 31F-51F: Offices / 52F-53F: Sky lobby / 55F-77F: Offices / 79F-87F: Hotel / 90F- Observation zone
http://image2.xitek.com/forum/200503/1604/160453/160453_1110601672.jpg

Plane of standard floor
http://image2.xitek.com/forum/200503/1604/160453/160453_1110601792.jpg

Apron building
http://image2.xitek.com/forum/200503/1604/160453/160453_1110601547.jpg

The top
http://image2.xitek.com/forum/200503/1604/160453/160453_1110643600.jpg

wha! that look great!

Great pics. This we be such an amazing building. Not the tallest but certainly one of the best

Conception 1: the newly-designed apron building
Conception 2, 3 and 4: the original design

Conception 1
http://image2.xitek.com/forum/200503/1293/129322/129322_1110651730.jpg

Conception 2
http://image2.xitek.com/forum/200503/1604/160453/160453_1110643434.jpg
Conception 3
http://image2.xitek.com/forum/200503/1604/160453/160453_1110601467.jpg
Conception 4
http://image2.xitek.com/forum/200503/1604/160453/160453_1110600916.jpg

More renderings:

http://www.tc.umn.edu/~eeriumn/moriperspective_day1.jpghttp://www.tc.umn.edu/~eeriumn/moriperspective_night1.jpg

http://www.worldisround.com/hosted/7/624/490.jpg

quick quick built!@!!

More pics by avcellvs from SSP

march 14th
http://www.worldisround.com/hosted/11/328/315_o.jpg

http://www.worldisround.com/hosted/11/328/316_o.jpg

march 18th

http://www.worldisround.com/hosted/11/408/496_o.jpg

^^Seems to be progressing nice and easy.
This one will be amazing to see rise out of the ground.
Can't wait to see Shanghai once its done.

The skywalk is gone! BOOO! WTF! That skywalk wouldve been so much better then the damn ferris wheel! BOO! Damnit. GRR!

The first two conceptions Christian posted are too old. The second, with the proposed Sun Hung Kai twin towers in the middle, is new. The skywalk, or sky corridor, is NOT gone. At the end of 2007 or beginning of 2008, you'll definately see it high up there.

This building is a GEM. Shanghai's Skyline would be even better with this! can't wait to see it rise.

So it will not be the highest building after being built?

So it will not be the highest building after being built?

If you mean in the world, that'll never happen, it's shorter than Taipei 101.

The first two conceptions Christian posted are too old. The second, with the proposed Sun Hung Kai twin towers in the middle, is new. The skywalk, or sky corridor, is NOT gone. At the end of 2007 or beginning of 2008, you'll definately see it high up there.

Oh good! I would hate to be unable to out out in the open that high up whenever I get a change to go. :D

It is shorter by spire but by roof, both US7 and SWFC will be higher than Taipei 101. Who knows at the end weather a spire will go on top of SWFC. Remember 492m is only 16m from 508m. I'm sure the Chinese know how high the building in Taiwan is.

One question here....The CN Tower Space Deck is at 447m. Will SWFC skybridge be higher than that? It will be very close. The tram ride will go much higher than 450m. On a side note, will the top floor of US7 be higher than the skybridge of SWFC?

http://netalbum.netvigator.com/photos/2005/03/22/c3321463373017421111448500031.jpg

Skybridge of SWFC :around 438 m-440 meters
Top floor of US7 : 460-470 meters (Notice that US7 will be 490mPD ,484 meters above street level)

Well last time there was a hugh fight over Sears Tower and Petronas Twin Tower for the title of World Tallest...

i don't care at all if swfc can't beat taipei 101 in height. that building's stark architectual simplicity is a lot more visually appealing than taipie 101, which imo looks a bit visually imbalanced (they stretched its top too much).

i would totally oppose installing a spire on swfc, because that'll totally ruin the top of the building. that building was designed to have no spires, and it should remain so. besides, the guys in china can always claim that taipei 101 is a cheater, just as many sears tower supporters claimed that petronas cheated.

an interesting point is, by 2007, 4 buildings will hold some kind of wtb title:
sears tower: tallest to antenna
taipei 101: tallest to spire
shanghai wfc: tallest to roof
union square ph.7: tallest to top floor

http://netalbum.netvigator.com/photos/2005/03/22/c3321463373017421111448500031.jpg

Skybridge of SWFC :around 438 m-440 meters
Top floor of US7 : 460-470 meters (Notice that US7 will be 490mPD ,484 meters above street level)


Thanks for posting that diagram.

I saw some of the other posts. I know China has alot of money, why not throw in a little bit more to make the roof higher than the the Spire in Taipei. I'm not a structural engineer but I don't think it would take much more to do so. Just add maybe 100 meters to the height. The same should go for the one in Hong Kong.....add 100 meters. You can't add any "real" height when the buildings finished so it would be cool if they got a little redesign done. :)

on TV they said that the tower can be bigger than 492 m

My ugly version of SWFC with spires. I had another version a long time ago if any of you remember.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v616/stupid_nut/Stuff/hgkjjg.jpg

on TV they said that the tower can be bigger than 492 m

Oh, please let it be taller.....and NOT taller with ugly ass spires.

Wouldn´t be the spire thing rather a stretching of the top along the full extension of the roof?
Anyway, if they are really going to make it taller, I´d rather think they´ll add more "filling" than "crowning".

Newest renderings
http://image2.xitek.com/forum/200503/1095/109572/109572_1111413155.jpg
http://image2.xitek.com/forum/200503/1095/109572/109572_1111407412.jpg
http://image2.xitek.com/forum/200503/1095/109572/109572_1111505449.jpg
http://image2.xitek.com/forum/200503/1095/109572/109572_1111517254.jpg

Newest pic of SWFC u/c
http://image2.xitek.com/forum/200503/545/54574/54574_1111123948.jpg

Newest renderings

http://image2.xitek.com/forum/200503/1095/109572/109572_1111505449.jpg


Thanks 10025. Renderings are great but I know it will look much more beautiful when it's done. I think it will reflect sunlight and city lights beautifully.


What is that "convention center" type looking building in this picture? The one that looks like a flower. That's one of the most beautiful buldings I've ever seen.

Edit: You know what I notice about the pictures that makes me envious of this city? There are still more cranes spread out throughout the city. They have a fun building boom going on in China. :)

To FM 2258,
The building is Shanghai Oriental Art Center. Pics:
http://photo.sohu.com/2004/02/28/50/Img219235066.jpg
http://photo.sohu.com/2004/02/28/50/Img219235067.jpg
http://photo.sohu.com/2004/02/28/50/Img219235068.jpg

^^^

It reminds me of the China Airlines flower, but then again it can remind you of any flower. Nice color and design.

totally agree, that art center is just an amazing building!!!!!

avcellvs, SSP, 24th march, thanks :)

http://www.worldisround.com/hosted/11/559/591_o.jpg

http://www.worldisround.com/hosted/11/559/592_o.jpg

How fast things can change in only one day O_O
march 25th

http://www.worldisround.com/hosted/11/578/311_o.jpg

way the first tower crane is being constructed :)

Yep tower crane UC! It's going fast now!

Latest progress
http://image2.xitek.com/forum/200503/545/54574/54574_1112067269.jpg
http://image2.xitek.com/forum/200503/545/54574/54574_1112067343.jpg
http://image2.xitek.com/forum/200503/545/54574/54574_1112067364.jpg
http://image2.xitek.com/forum/200503/545/54574/54574_1112067462.jpg
http://image2.xitek.com/forum/200503/545/54574/54574_1112067565.jpg
http://image2.xitek.com/forum/200503/545/54574/54574_1112067891.jpg
http://image2.xitek.com/forum/200503/1683/168369/168369_1112093409.jpg
http://image2.xitek.com/forum/200503/1683/168369/168369_1112093535.jpg

Excellent pics! Especially the one with Jin Mao in it.

Thanks for the update, can't imagine how big this building will be when completed. It's movin on really fast.

these are really super updates !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! finally, SWFC's going to start growing up !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I will be there soon with my camera to catch the action. :)

:eek2: It's amazing!!!

Wow, that pic with Jin Mao in it looks like its from outer space, with that other tower I forgot the name of :D Really excited to see this one grow!

its gonna be great, cant wait!

something is happening in that huge hole :D

not sure if this question has been asked already, but what will be on the upper floors of the tower, where the giant hole is? is there any usable space, what will it be used for?

HUGEEEE!!!
Those cranes are working!, i wanna see this one rising!

something is happening in that huge hole :D

not sure if this question has been asked already, but what will be on the upper floors of the tower, where the giant hole is? is there any usable space, what will it be used for?
A ferris wheel, to my knowledge.

finally starting! wow, i thought that thing was cancelled long ago!

how very very exciting! :eek2:

Looking great, my favorite skyscraper on earth when built. And people, don't hesitate to post more pics! That's such an exciting project and it needs as much coverage as possible. :)

finally some action.
How long is the expected building time before they reach the top. :)

A ferris wheel, to my knowledge.

Didn't the ferriswheel get canceled, and they're just gonna put an observation dek in the hole. I might be wrong, I hope so.

never seen a render with a ferris wheel in it, think it would ruin the hole anyway, observation deck all the way

so happy to see so much going on there

is there any live cam to access !!????????

Didn't the ferriswheel get canceled, and they're just gonna put an observation dek in the hole. I might be wrong, I hope so.
It was the observation deck that got cancelled.

Wow, can't wait to see this rising out of the ground.

ferris wheel AND observation bridge both exists.

ferris wheel AND observation bridge both exists.
Some recent renders did not feature the observation bridge.

^ and ive stil not seen a single one with a ferris wheel

i think the observation deck is required. the ferris wheel would be great, but at the same time i think the hole would be better without it.

is about to go overground!!!!
great!

^ and ive stil not seen a single one with a ferris wheel

Well you wouldnt would you? The wheel is on the inside of the circle.

Ferris Wheel in that hole on top? That would be amazin.

on the inside of the circle.. or do you mean outside? sounds interesting, never seen a ferris wheel without spokes before, but dont see a reason why that shouldn't work, gotta be a bit of an engineering challenge though.

just think of a Glass elevator running around the frigin circle.. common people, its not that hard to imagine, now isnt it!

A post in a forum says the shape of the hole has been modified. The observation bridge is still there, but the part below is "closed", and the pillars that support the bridge are gone. Don't know if it's true.
Renderings
http://image2.xitek.com/forum/200504/1293/129322/129322_1113142715.jpg
http://image2.xitek.com/forum/200504/1095/109572/109572_1113163939.jpg
http://image2.xitek.com/forum/200504/1095/109572/109572_1113241443.jpg
http://image2.xitek.com/forum/200504/1095/109572/109572_1113073395.jpg

looks really cool!very nice rendering.At least this tower doesnt look so left out like Taipei 101

this looks way nicer than Taipei101

^
I strongly agree......:yes:

A very beautiful building :cheers:

looks really cool!very nice rendering.At least this tower doesnt look so left out like Taipei 101

Yeah, I like Taipei 101 but it just sticks up like a big penis all by itself. It needs some density around it.

Oh no, in the rendering it doesn't look like a complete circle anymore.

Yeah the design has changed a little bit.
I like it even more.

I wonder whats the reason for the change

Possibly because of the China-Japan issue at the moment....The circle is like the circle in Japans flag...

Looks awefully like the Kingdom Centre.

I liked the design with the full circle better. I dunno why. This one will probably grow on me though.

I suppose we'll get used to it like we do with everything else.

@maree_sulphur: The only similarity to Kingdom Centre in Riyadh is that there is a large opening in the tower. Aside from that, the size and shape are very different, including the hole itself.

New pics.
They are from april 15th

http://www.worldisround.com/hosted/12/439/538_o.jpg

http://www.worldisround.com/hosted/12/439/536_o.jpg

http://www.worldisround.com/hosted/12/439/537_o.jpg

nice cranes, its still one big hole :(

nice cranes, its still one big hole :(

Yes, but i can clearly see advancement over the last three months, and thats good. I remember that Union Square actually used just as much time as this, if not more time.

nice cranes, its still one big hole :(
The underground levels are under construction; note the work being done in the hole.

yeah reminds me of the same process at Union square in HK!
Exciting! looks huge

A rendering from xitek.com with the shape of the hole modified
http://www.spymac.com/upload/gallery/f_89/user_890545/upload_392414.jpg

that's nice!

WOW! Thats not just nice.. thats absolutely gorgeous!
WFC fits perfectly right there! and awesome combination of old and new...
thankyou

great pics, great photo render !!!!

it's comming along great i can't wait till the giant finish's.

That is a very good rendering.The skyline looks much better with SWFC. :)

:omg: How many concrete bombs! It looks like there are only a couple of underground levels to be completed, soon will start raising from the ground!

That render is awesome, and as mentioned above, this will fit quite nicely in the existing skyline.

Looks awefully like the Kingdom Centre.

actually, shanghai world financial center was planned for construction in 1997, even before jin mao tower's completed and well before the construction of kingdom center. therefore, you can say that swfc was designed before kingdom center, and therefore borrowed no architectural design from it.

in fact, the building, originally 460m tall, was supposed to be completed in 2001 (even before the kingdom center) under its original construction schedule, but it got delayed after the mori corporation, which was supposed to share some of the financial burden, ran short on money due to the asia financial crisis. but it has now resumed funding, and the tower's able to go forward again.

Where's the rendering of the SWFC in the Shanghai skyline?

A rendering from xitek.com with the shape of the hole modified
http://image2.xitek.com/forum/200504/1095/109572/109572_1114011501.jpg

That is an awesome rendering. I also like the way they modified the hole. It looks much "cleaner" and useful this way than just having the bridge cutting across the hole.

Comparing Pudong to Chicago should be prohibited. Just that Oriental Pearl at Pudong makes me wanna puke - it's the most horrible construction ever.
Chicago is classic, its classy, and even if the SWFC (which looks great by the way) is built it will be 1 in a million, because just looking at Shanghai's skyscrapers makes me wanna say: horrible pieces of architecture. Just look at Jin Mao. HORRIBLE.

^ Comparing Chicago to Pudong should be prohibited. The city that invented the skyscraper is getting its antique ass kicked by a plot of land whose tallest structure 20 years ago was a farm house. Somebody better call the cops, this is murder! :cheers:

Huh? Who compared Pudong to Chicago?


SWFC is totally amazing, the most beautiful building on earth!

Actually Shanghai has a lot of classic and art-deco high-rises in the Bund ;-)
I believe some of them are nearly as old as those in Chicago :-)

Nice!!! Just wondering but some people are talking about this "modification" of the hole. What modifications did they do? Last I heard was it was going to be a bridge across (sort of like a lookout platform?).

Nice!!! Just wondering but some people are talking about this "modification" of the hole. What modifications did they do? Last I heard was it was going to be a bridge across (sort of like a lookout platform?).

The hole is no longer a complete circle. The space under the bridge has been filled in.

The whole is no longer a complete circle. The space under the bridge has been filled in.

Oh! OKay thanks! Regardless of the modification, I still think the building is easily one of most unique and elegant. Full circle or not.

I have to admit they build this very fast.

Pic from 22th april from avcellvs SSP
http://www.worldisround.com/hosted/12/595/1_o.jpg

Fast indeed, but the way they're building it seems a little strange... Where is the core ? Won't it use a concrete core ? How will be the structure ?

That could be the core hole in the middle.

Fast indeed, but the way they're building it seems a little strange... Where is the core ? Won't it use a concrete core ? How will be the structure ?
The circular shape in the middle is the core walls.

^ Comparing Chicago to Pudong should be prohibited. The city that invented the skyscraper is getting its antique ass kicked by a plot of land whose tallest structure 20 years ago was a farm house. Somebody better call the cops, this is murder! :cheers:

Don't forget Shanghai's colonial-era buildings (there was also one skyscraper built in the early 1980s, I believe). Besides those, the city also has a lot of old midrises from throughout its history.

Don't forget Shanghai's colonial-era buildings (there was also one skyscraper built in the early 1980s, I believe). Besides those, the city also has a lot of old midrises from throughout its history.
Not that many, actually, away from the Bund. Most midrises built during Maoist days are awful enough to deserve construction hell.

Here's an illustrated version of what I was referring to. This is a pic of Pudong in the 1850s:

http://210.22.167.134:8880/tales/shanghai/images/pudong.jpg

It looked this way till the late 1980s. It was a FARM, and now it's arguable the most modern skyline around. The "before" and "after" to me is breathtaking.

Ah, oops, you were talking about Pudong. I was thinking of the entire Shanghai city.

When this thing is done, it will be my favorite building in all of China.

I love this building, just beautiful. I really like the original with the full circle. Oh well, I guess we will get use to the new design....

Mori's page.

http://www.mori.co.jp/projects/shanghai/en_index.html

http://www.brianmicklethwait.com/culture/WFC.jpg

http://www.kpf.com/images/Projects/shanghai/n1041_3010z.jpg

http://www.kpf.com/images/Projects/shanghai/n1041_3056z.jpg


http://www.lera.com/pimg/shanghaiwfc/3973118_large.jpg



http://www.tc.umn.edu/~eeriumn/moriperspective_night1.jpg

Here's an illustrated version of what I was referring to. This is a pic of Pudong in the 1850s:

http://210.22.167.134:8880/tales/shanghai/images/pudong.jpg

It looked this way till the late 1980s. It was a FARM, and now it's arguable the most modern skyline around. The "before" and "after" to me is breathtaking.
That picture is from 1880, I believe. In any case, it is too old to be representative; after all, that was before skyscrapers were invented, and all cities looked flat like that.

Pudong in 1980:

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y87/Proselight/SHAbund01.jpg

Now there's a shocker.

I watched Pudong's rise to fame, one rebar at a time. I witnessed the construction of Nanpu and Yangpu bridges, the Oriental Pearl, the Bund renovation, among other things. How proud of my city I was, one would never know until he sees his own city rise to glory; every weekend warranted trips to the riverside. Too bad I was too poor as a secondary school student to afford photography, or all of it would be documented.

Pudong in 1980:

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y87/Proselight/SHAbund01.jpg

Now there's a shocker.


Indeed ! Thank you for showing this ^^

http://www2.xitek.com/forum/200504/545/54574/54574_1114750937.jpg
http://www2.xitek.com/forum/200504/545/54574/54574_1114750813.jpg

the base of this thing truly is massive, and it's great to see this one finally rising after god knows how many years of delays. I imagine there must be a big basement section (several floors) given the size of the hole they dug in this thing (see previous photos) - it goes down at least 10-15m. I wonder Parking? Shopping center? Well done on the latest pictures - keep them coming :-)

10025: If you post the next time pics you should write the date, too.

They are from april 29th.

SWFC is totally amazing, the most beautiful building on earth!

:lol:

Bit over the top!

Looks more like a USB memory stick with a hole so you can put it on your keyring.

Great scraper, but most beautiful building on Earth, it is not. Can´t belive you people sometimes.

Looks more like a USB memory stick with a hole so you can put it on your keyring

Or like a bottle opener

Or like a bottle opener
Well spotted, never thought of that.

http://www2.xitek.com/forum/200504/545/54574/54574_1114750937.jpg
http://www2.xitek.com/forum/200504/545/54574/54574_1114750813.jpg

Thanks 10025, it's good to see something coming out of the hole.

Yes, finally you can see more of the construction. :)

Some of the columns are above ground level now :)

Wow...

I think it will look awesome after they finish, it goes fast right now. :O

yeah, we're really gonna see this one soon! :banana:

thanks for updates!