Too poor guanzhou is not closer to the other cities, then it would be a megacity already. A well, we just have to wait for 10/20 jears

anyway,it's really close.:cheers:
it just takes one hour train journey,then you can reach Shenzhen.
it's convient to go to HK though

I think that the whole pearl river delta will be one giant city in the future.
the UN reported that it would probably become the first megacity in the world (100 million+ people)

What would become a "megacity" first, Pearl river delta or Yangtze delta?

anyway,it's really close.
it just takes one hour train journey,then you can reach Shenzhen.

Could you show where Pingan tower and Shenzhen CBD are relative to maps of Shenzhen metro and Guangzhou-Shenzhen high speed railway? Is it convenient to walk out of the Pingan tower door to some high speed station? Can people working in Pingan tower commute to Guangzhou?

Are the users of Pingan tower known already?

Can you imagine the both cities Hong Kong and Shenzhen join each other. I've heard that it was the Hong Kong government idea to do so ... in that case the HK Shenzhen metropolis would be the third biggest city in the world.

These cities will never join. But the high speed rail link under construction will bring these cities closer.

Macau will be connected to HK via a bridge. Macau-Zhuhai is connected to Jiangmen-Zhongshan which is connected to Foshan-Guangzhou which is connected to Dongguan which is connected to Shenzhen which is connected to Huizhou. that's an effin' huge mega city.

These cities will never join. But the high speed rail link under construction will bring these cities closer.

Why never?

You folks in Hong Kong should remember that it is not 37 years left to 1st of July, 2047. What are you planning to do that day?

Why never?

You folks in Hong Kong should remember that it is not 37 years left to 1st of July, 2047. What are you planning to do that day?

lolwut?

lolwut?

July 1 2047 is the end date of dual citizenship for HK citizens.

And while chatting about megacities no progress on the construction site. I went there yesterday and there was very few activity, very few trucks, one crane out of two that was hardly in activity.

^^ yesterday ?? why would they work on Sunday ? today is Monday probably today is more activity :)

http://pic.qnpic.com:83/r.jsp?fn=//fanjoin/share/2011/1/2/DSC_43451293980140179.jpg

http://pic.qnpic.com:83/r.jsp?fn=//fanjoin/share/2011/1/2/DSC_43471293980144289.jpg

http://pic.qnpic.com:83/r.jsp?fn=//fanjoin/share/2011/1/2/DSC_43491293980149089.jpg

Сonstruction is going on?

Сonstruction is going on?

yep,it never stop,just a little slow:cheers:

^^ yesterday ?? why would they work on Sunday ? today is Monday probably today is more activity :)

:) - We're in China... sundays don't mean a lot on construction sites... Do you want to talk about 8 hours work a day ?

^^As far as I know,in some construction sites,workers are devided into 3 batches and each works for 8 hours a day(3x8=24).
In Shenzhen,here goes a famous slogan--Time is money,Efficiency is life.

whats happening on this site ,not alot of work by the looks of things.

:) - We're in China... sundays don't mean a lot on construction sites... Do you want to talk about 8 hours work a day ?

^^As far as I know,in some construction sites,workers are devided into 3 batches and each works for 8 hours a day(3x8=24).
In Shenzhen,here goes a famous slogan--Time is money,Efficiency is life.

OK probably there are some financial problems , but there might be some other problems that might prevent the project from moving at a faster pace than usual/normal speed. My idea is that we can make a a better judgment of the situation in the Spring / Summer period.

July 1 2047 is the end date of dual citizenship for HK citizens.

Is that definite though? I thought there were no plans so far?

I doubt they can manage to keep things significantly back to mainland style, ie visa requirements and stuff. Maybe by then, all places in China would be given a two week visa free entry like Malaysia? Who know? I think thats a good idea

Is that definite though? I thought there were no plans so far?

I doubt they can manage to keep things significantly back to mainland style, ie visa requirements and stuff. Maybe by then, all places in China would be given a two week visa free entry like Malaysia? Who know? I think thats a good idea

The 50 years of 1 country, 2 systems rule (started on July 1 1997) is pretty much guaranteed. I don't see the PRC reneging on that deal. I'm sure Beijing is ruing for the day when they can finally have unfettered control over HK. Hopefully China's political climate will be more enlightened in 2047. But we're getting OT.

The 50 years of 1 country, 2 systems rule (started on July 1 1997) is pretty much guaranteed. I don't see the PRC reneging on that deal. I'm sure Beijing is ruing for the day when they can finally have unfettered control over HK. Hopefully China's political climate will be more enlightened in 2047. But we're getting OT.

Now, regarding the expansion of Shenzhen:
China cannot abolish the Hong Kong SAR and merge it into Guangdong Province or Shenzhen Prefecture, because that would mean reneging on the deal binding till 2047. Extending the separate system and special administrative region of Hong Kong to Shenzhen might be not against the deal, but I am not sure China wants to do it any time soon.

A big deal some time in 2010 was that the Special Economic Zone of Shenzhen was expanded from being just one quarter of Shenzhen to the whole Shenzhen. How has this affected Shenzhen?

Is that definite though? I thought there were no plans so far?

I doubt they can manage to keep things significantly back to mainland style, ie visa requirements and stuff. Maybe by then, all places in China would be given a two week visa free entry like Malaysia? Who know? I think thats a good idea

Would definately be a good idea.

January 9 by veryamateurish at Flickr.
http://i344.photobucket.com/albums/p340/Dalianon/Shenzhen%20photos/90a3c88f.jpg

There appears to be no activity on site whatsoever! :(

Very disappointing to see. Hopefully it's temporary.

No activity at all! I went there yesterday around 8:00pm and all the doors of the construction sites (both of them) were closed, no trucks, no workers.
Anybody has some information?

Let us just hope this inactiveness is due to the upcoming Chinese New Year. But if that is true, then there will probably be very little activity until the middle of February.

Let us just hope this inactiveness is due to the upcoming Chinese New Year. But if that is true, then there will probably be very little activity until the middle of February.

that was my first thought too. its such a big construction and i do not think they would just stop it for different reasons. maybe build slowly, but wouldn't just stop it unless a financer turned the back on them or something

I'm guessing one half of the financer is backing out.

^^ Source?

I'm guessing one half of the financer is backing out.

Ping'an is one of China's largest insurance and banking companies. They alone have enough money to build this. I think the break in action is due to New Year's and that they bottomed out the basement a few weeks ago. Now they have to retool to start building up.:)

Let's just wait we still have a crane on the site...if they would have removed that we could have gone to some bad conclusions until then we need to wait for a period

I hope you are right. None the less, if after Chinese New Year and into the spring there is still no progress, this should be moved to on-hold. Lets face it, other then the bottoming out ceremony, there has been no progress in months. I really hope that this is still a go.

patience. it will be built. it will be amazing when finished

I would maybe have another explanation. The underconstruction subway and Hong Kong Shenzhen Guangzhou express railway are under construction right beside the construction site. Would it be possible that they need to wait for the tunnels to be done and consolidated before going up?

I would maybe have another explanation. The underconstruction subway and Hong Kong Shenzhen Guangzhou express railway are under construction right beside the construction site. Would it be possible that they need to wait for the tunnels to be done and consolidated before going up?

sounds possible.... Yann your in Shenzhen maybe ask around. I really don't see this building going on hold. Think about it China's tallest building going on hold, ouch. I might e-mail KPF later on and see if I can get a reasonable answer.

sounds possible.... Yann your in Shenzhen maybe ask around. I really don't see this building going on hold. Think about it China's tallest building going on hold, ouch. I might e-mail KPF later on and see if I can get a reasonable answer.

I will. Any chinese here able to find some info in chinese ?

I think that the whole pearl river delta will be one giant city in the future.
the UN reported that it would probably become the first megacity in the world (100 million+ people)

Sure, that's plausible;

There are already some good examples on smaller scale such as Randstad in the Netherlands or Ruhrgebiet in DE. One example, "megalopolis" in the northeast seaboard of the US already is arguably the same scale as Yantze and Pearl deltas and Bohai-rim, so it certainly won't be the first.

To call Shenzhen and Hongkong the same CBD though is an entirely different matter, they are about 40 km apart, which is about 3-4 times further than Guanzhou and Foshan. So that will not happened in our lifetime; 100 - 150 years out into the future, possibly.

Why never?

You folks in Hong Kong should remember that it is not 37 years left to 1st of July, 2047. What are you planning to do that day?

Cities, probably never (in terms of our perspective, in the foreseeable future that pertains to anyone in the forum's lifetime). It is just an implausible idea in terms of geography and topography. The metropolitan areas, though, are quite likely to be joined together in the decade or two after 2047.

To call Shenzhen and Hongkong the same CBD though is an entirely different matter, they are about 40 km apart, which is about 3-4 times further than Guanzhou and Foshan. So that will not happened in our lifetime; 100 - 150 years out into the future, possibly.
Sorry but what you said made no sense, there is much city between the centers of HK and Shenzhen.
Only a few a few patches of mountains separate them, and between the patches are many high rises for the most part.
Unless you mean there going to build the city over the mountains :lol: i don't think there is much room for growth, so they are pretty much as interconnected now as the cities will ever be, its hard to say if it could ever be considered one city
i mean 100 to 150 years! the cities could be underwater by then, maybe 30 years or less

January 9 by veryamateurish at Flickr.
http://i344.photobucket.com/albums/p340/Dalianon/Shenzhen%20photos/90a3c88f.jpg

What is the structure on the left side of the picture? It seems to be right next to the construction on the same block.

Sorry but what you said made no sense, there is much city between the centers of HK and Shenzhen.
Only a few a few patches of mountains separate them, and between the patches are many high rises for the most part.
Unless you mean there going to build the city over the mountains :lol: i don't think there is much room for growth, so they are pretty much as interconnected now as the cities will ever be, its hard to say if it could ever be considered one city
i mean 100 to 150 years! the cities could be underwater by then, maybe 30 years or less

Have you actually been there before, and you call those high-rises "for the most part"? Perhaps you had a little too much to drink when you wrote this?

By your estimation, then LA and San Diego would be in the same CBD, or San Fran and San Jose? I guess you have never actually lived inside a major city, and every little suburban strip of condos gets you exited?

Do you even know what "CBD" means?

Sorry but what you said made no sense, there is much city between the centers of HK and Shenzhen.
Only a few a few patches of mountains separate them, and between the patches are many high rises for the most part.
Unless you mean there going to build the city over the mountains :lol: i don't think there is much room for growth, so they are pretty much as interconnected now as the cities will ever be, its hard to say if it could ever be considered one city
i mean 100 to 150 years! the cities could be underwater by then, maybe 30 years or less

Since apprantly, you have major troubles with this English term, so let's start with the very basics:

CBD (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_business_district)


The following characteristics are typical of (though not always present in) most CBDs, downtowns, or city centers:

houses large public buildings such as libraries, churches, stations and town halls.
contains specialist shops and branches of major department stores.
contains social amenities such as cinema halls, clubs and theatres.
contains little housing, but often hotels.
contains little or no industry.
contains offices and other professional buildings.
contains buildings that tend to be taller than buildings in other parts of the city (because land prices tend to be at a premium, making high-rise buildings economically favourable)
has high pedestrian levels and the greatest parking restrictions.
(often) is the geographical centre of the settlement.
(often) is the area with the highest land value.
is well connected by public transport, with large numbers of passengers.
has high traffic levels.

Can't wait for this one to be built

What is the structure on the left side of the picture? It seems to be right next to the construction on the same block.

It's on an opposite block. Kerry Plaza Phase II.

Sure, that's plausible;

There are already some good examples on smaller scale such as Randstad in the Netherlands or Ruhrgebiet in DE. One example, "megalopolis" in the northeast seaboard of the US already is arguably the same scale as Yantze and Pearl deltas and Bohai-rim, so it certainly won't be the first.

To call Shenzhen and Hongkong the same CBD though is an entirely different matter, they are about 40 km apart, which is about 3-4 times further than Guanzhou and Foshan. So that will not happened in our lifetime; 100 - 150 years out into the future, possibly.

well they aren't physically connected and therefore they are a megalopolis.
But the UN definition for a megacity is an area that's physically connected with more then 100million people.

I think that Ping'an International Finance Center has already lost the race against Shanghai tower :-)

I would maybe have another explanation. The underconstruction subway and Hong Kong Shenzhen Guangzhou express railway are under construction right beside the construction site. Would it be possible that they need to wait for the tunnels to be done and consolidated before going up?

How far are their respective stations from the front door of Pingan centre?

Remenber Chicago Spire: on hold?

Remenber Chicago Spire: on hold?

You can't compare the two projects.... The Chicago Spire was a pipe dream. This one will happen for sure. China rising America dying...

You can't compare the two projects.... The Chicago Spire was a pipe dream. This one will happen for sure. China rising America dying...

I can !!!!!

After party :cheers: >>>>> on hold

I can !!!!!

After party :cheers: >>>>> on hold

patience..:cheers:

it's being built,just slow for some reasons,let's wait and see

Remenber Chicago Spire: on hold?

similar hole in the ground. ;)

Hopefully this beauty will rise soon. :)

Posted by szfit
http://img208.poco.cn/mypoco/myphoto/20110116/03/56237585201101160316225411474172573_000.jpg

http://img208.poco.cn/mypoco/myphoto/20110116/03/56237585201101160316225411474172573_003.jpg

http://img208.poco.cn/mypoco/myphoto/20110116/03/56237585201101160316225411474172573_001.jpg

http://img208.poco.cn/mypoco/myphoto/20110116/03/56237585201101160316225411474172573_002.jpg

http://pic.gaoloumi.com/attachments/day_110116/110116032642d6cbb1caee8ce7.jpg

http://pic.gaoloumi.com/attachments/day_110116/11011603269b68d697ddde2260.jpg

http://pic.gaoloumi.com/attachments/day_110116/1101160326fddb9cc286cbf92b.jpg

http://pic.gaoloumi.com/attachments/day_110116/11011603268fec47b9c1234ed5.jpg

http://pic.gaoloumi.com/attachments/day_110116/11011603262544512f137b7ad1.jpg

Hi all.

Awesome ... Never enough plans and drawings. :)
Thanks for posting Zorg.

You can't compare the two projects.... The Chicago Spire was a pipe dream. This one will happen for sure. China rising America dying...

Hi Munwon.
I have over 3500 pics of some very elaborate foundation work for the CS.
I think calling it a "pipedream" is out of line. True - it is not looking good now but it was (and still could be in the future I hope) a very real project.

:cheers:
Ray.

I really really really like this one, Hope they could finish it soon :cool:

Hi all.

Awesome ... Never enough plans and drawings. :)
Thanks for posting Zorg.



Hi Munwon.
I have over 3500 pics of some very elaborate foundation work for the CS.
I think calling it a "pipedream" is out of line. True - it is not looking good now but it was (and still could be in the future I hope) a very real project.

:cheers:
Ray.

Please don't take that statement the wrong way.... It was a solid project but the money wasn't there.... I hope I'm wrong and someday it will be built but not soon....
Zorg- Any word on why they slowed down on this?

I love those mega columns..
BTW,what does the figure "653.3" beside "646.0" mean?

I love those mega columns..
BTW,what does the figure "653.3" beside "646.0" mean?

646 is the real height, figures in the bracket means height above the sea level.

Have you actually been there before, and you call those high-rises "for the most part"? Perhaps you had a little too much to drink when you wrote this?

By your estimation, then LA and San Diego would be in the same CBD, or San Fran and San Jose? I guess you have never actually lived inside a major city, and every little suburban strip of condos gets you exited?

Do you even know what "CBD" means?

calm down buddy, i never said that they would be in the same CBD
i was just commenting on the 150 years thing :nuts:
dont be to sensitive and dont direct attention away from this thread!

calm down buddy, i never said that they would be in the same CBD
i was just commenting on the 150 years thing :nuts:
dont be to sensitive and dont direct attention away from this thread!

Alright, perhaps my response was probably a little harsh, and could have been more courteous.

Next time, please read my writing more carefully, and respond to the contents that I have actually written. In your post, here:

Sorry but what you said made no sense, there is much city between the centers of HK and Shenzhen.
Only a few a few patches of mountains separate them, and between the patches are many high rises for the most part.
Unless you mean there going to build the city over the mountains :lol: i don't think there is much room for growth, so they are pretty much as interconnected now as the cities will ever be, its hard to say if it could ever be considered one city
i mean 100 to 150 years! the cities could be underwater by then, maybe 30 years or less

Written as a response to mine:

To call Shenzhen and Hongkong the same CBD though is an entirely different matter, they are about 40 km apart, which is about 3-4 times further than Guanzhou and Foshan. So that will not happened in our lifetime; 100 - 150 years out into the future, possibly.

Which clearly states my point, which is that they will not be in the same CBD in the foreseeable future, which is what I said "will not happen in our lifetime". Maybe you just didn't read my actual language of the post carefully, and it's not that you are actually uninformed about these things. But reading statements carefully before responding next time would be a good idea.

I think this building will be great when done...it has a really soaring and imposing design. In fact the design sort of reminds me of the Empire State Building - can any one else see that?

I wish that Pingan Group had built this sort of building in the Lujiazui CBD rather than their neo-classical attempt with horrible red logos. On the other hand, Shanghai will have the new Shanghai Tower which I think is superior to this building in terms of design and boundaries it pushes.

Which clearly states my point, which is that they will not be in the same CBD in the foreseeable future, which is what I said "will not happen in our lifetime".

So, when Shenzhen-Hong Kong express railway opens, the trip time shall be 12 minutes for 26 km, doors close to doors open.

What is the distance from Pingan tower door to railway station door?

So, when Shenzhen-Hong Kong express railway opens, the trip time shall be 12 minutes for 26 km, doors close to doors open.

What is the distance from Pingan tower door to railway station door?

So, you think there should be mountains and tunnels in the middle of a CBD? The surface distance is actually 26 miles, which would need to be the size of a pedestrian accessible zone for them to be in the same CBD.

Which clearly states my point, which is that they will not be in the same CBD in the foreseeable future, which is what I said "will not happen in our lifetime". Maybe you just didn't read my actual language of the post carefully, and it's not that you are actually uninformed about these things. But reading statements carefully before responding next time would be a good idea.

i never said they would be in the same cbd, i just thought 150 years sounded ridiculous, i didn't mean that you were wrong, when i said they 30 years or less i meant thats when the usable space in between hk and Shenzhen would be filled up not them being in the same cdb
i wasn't opposing what you were saying, don't respond to this were just filling the forum with stupidity lol
you clearly don't see what im saying anyways

i never said they would be in the same cbd, i just thought 150 years sounded ridiculous, i didn't mean that you were wrong, when i said they 30 years or less i meant thats when the usable space in between hk and Shenzhen would be filled up not them being in the same cdb
i wasn't opposing what you were saying, don't respond to this were just filling the forum with stupidity lol
you clearly don't see what im saying anyways

So why did you quote me on the part when I talked about CBDs of these two cities then? I was clearly referring to the CBDs when I was talking about the 100-150 years.

And now you seem to be contradicting yourself:

On one hand, you responded to my quote that 150 years for the merging of the CBDs (my point) was ridiculous.
On the other hand, you said that you meant "not them being in the same cbd".


As I said before, please simply read my comments carefully before responding.

Hi all.

646 is the real height, figures in the bracket means height above the sea level.

Hi Nord.

Perhaps the other figure is height above whatever vertical datum Shenzhen uses. This is the norm for most projects. There are tidal based datums used in some places. Some places use their own municipal datum such as Dubai. Here in North America the NAVD29, or 84, or 88 is used. The numbers correspond to the years they were measured - 1929, 1984, and 1988. Datums are used so surveyors have the same elevation for a common point of reference.

For the BK the ground level as per the plans is 0.00 (+11.50 DMD). AKA as per the official CTBUH measure as 10.00 (+1.50 DMD). The average pre-construction grade was +2.50 DMD.

Hi Munwon.
NP man. I hear you that the $ wasn't there for CS. Hopefully the future will bode well for that project.

:cheers:
Ray.

I think this building will be great when done...it has a really soaring and imposing design. In fact the design sort of reminds me of the Empire State Building - can any one else see that?

I wish that Pingan Group had built this sort of building in the Lujiazui CBD rather than their neo-classical attempt with horrible red logos. On the other hand, Shanghai will have the new Shanghai Tower which I think is superior to this building in terms of design and boundaries it pushes.

Yeah, I think that the similarities lie in the fact that they both have those stripes as part of the cladding. Shape wise, Ping An is square where as esb is rectangular. PingAn looks a lot more grand and elegant to be honest.

Will Hong Kong CBD merge with Shenzhen CBD? I don't think so, even if the Shenzhen government decides to introduce a new CBD on the border. Its just not efficient to be honest, so crossing CBD's will require custom check?

Their suburban area may merge, but don't all boarders have some sort of life on each side anyways, think Macau/Zhu hai boarder.......... CBD is only the commmerical and financial hub of the city, where most people go to work, people don't really live in CBDs as such, they generally live in suburban areas. I think the suburban areas will one day merge though, since people are coming from the rural and the birth policy is altered.

Will Hong Kong CBD merge with Shenzhen CBD? I don't think so, even if the Shenzhen government decides to introduce a new CBD on the border. Its just not efficient to be honest, so crossing CBD's will require custom check?

Their suburban area may merge, but don't all boarders have some sort of life on each side anyways, think Macau/Zhu hai boarder.......... CBD is only the commmerical and financial hub of the city, where most people go to work, people don't really live in CBDs as such, they generally live in suburban areas. I think the suburban areas will one day merge though, since people are coming from the rural and the birth policy is altered.

Hong Kong border was open till 1951, although Hong Kong had a different system. So the different system does not absolutely require harsh custom checks all the time till 2047.

Hong Kong used to have 28 square km Frontier Closed Area. But now Hong Kong built an extra fence on the border, so they need just 8 square km. What is Hong Kong going to do with the surplus 20 square km of frontier area? Public parks, suburban sprawl or CBD?

Still no verified explanation on why the construction has stopped.

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Still no verified explanation on why the construction has stopped.

No money:

Ping An shares see huge fall
Source: Global Times
Comments By Wang Xinyuan

The share prices of China's second largest life insurer, Ping An Insurance (Group) Company, plunged on both the Shanghai and Hong Kong stock markets Thursday driven by fears over its possible refinancing plan.
On the Shanghai Stock Exchange, Ping An's shares took the biggest tumble among the Top 5, closing at 52.59 yuan ($7.93), down 4.14 percent from the previous day. On the Hong Kong exchange, it fell to HK$84.75 ($10.9), down 0.7 percent.
"The share price collapse is mainly driven by fears in the market that Ping An might need to find refinancing of up to 80-100 billion yuan ($12.06- $15.08 billion) for meeting the minimum capital requirement set by the regulators," Luo Qi, an insurance analyst with Ping An Securities, told the Global Times.
"We think that Ping An lacks funds for expansion over the next 2-3 years. It would be best for them to acquire extra capital by taking advantage of the strong capital market now," Sun Xu, an insurance analyst with UBS Securities, wrote in a November report.
The company has a capital shortfall of 20-50 billion yuan ($3.02-7.54 billion), Reuters reported Thursday citing other brokerages.
"We don't comment on market rumors. Ping An's financial status is stable. So far we haven't received any notification of the refinancing plan," Sheng Ruisheng, Ping An Group's spokesman, told the Global Times.
The nightmare of Ping An's huge refinancing initiative in January 2008 is still fresh in the public's memory.
The company had then decided to issue an additional 1.2 billion shares and 41.2-billion-yuan ($6.21 billion) worth of convertible bonds to raise a total of around 160 billion yuan ($24.12 billion). The aim was to prop up its investment in the Belgium-based Fortis Group.
Following that announcement, shareholders of Ping An suffered 20 percent losses in the A-share market on two consecutive days. Fears that the large-scale refinancing would dilute the earnings per share caused a panic sell-off.
Ping An's audacious move triggered a refinance craze among other big listed A-share companies such as China Unicom and Shanghai Pudong Development Bank, hammering China's stock market all the way down.
Given that terrible experience, investors believe that this time too, the company's refinancing might be the signal for yet another imminent sell-off, Xu Liping, an independent insurance consultant, told the Global Times.
http://business.globaltimes.cn/china-markets/2011-01/609742.html

But Ping'an shares are still up 30% from when this project started in 2010. I'll wait for Scion or Zorg to find something on the Chinese forums before I make a conclusion.

so how long do you guys think this project will take to recover?
So why did you quote me on the part when I talked about CBDs of these two cities then? As I said before, please simply read my comments carefully before responding.
we are interpreting what i said in different ways
what I meant to say was: there was 2 things wrong with your statement; 150 years was just way to far off to mean anything, and by your understanding of CBD the 2 cities could never be a part of each other in the first place because of the mountains lol is this has been enough, we dont need to talk about this

This tread is getting ,more views now that construction has stopped.

But Ping'an shares are still up 30% from when this project started in 2010. I'll wait for Scion or Zorg to find something on the Chinese forums before I make a conclusion.

As I was saying also before there are important construction on the all East side of the construction site for the tunnels for the metro + underground railway. And it's been 2 weeks that there also have been a lot of activity on the west side of the construction site too. The narrow 2 ways street that was going along the bar street has now closed.
But as Munwon, I'll be waiting for information from z0rg or Scion.

so how long do you guys think this project will take to recover?

we are interpreting what i said in different ways
what I meant to say was: there was 2 things wrong with your statement; 150 years was just way to far off to mean anything, and by your understanding of CBD the 2 cities could never be a part of each other in the first place because of the mountains lol is this has been enough, we dont need to talk about this

You guys should keep on with your discussion on another thread such as:
Citytalk and Urban Issues (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/forumdisplay.php?f=9)

Yesterday evening I went by the construction site and there was still a bit of activity. There were some lights inside the two holes lighting some specific places. There were also quite a lot of workers coming out from their barracks.

Yesterday evening I went by the construction site and there was still a bit of activity. There were some lights inside the two holes lighting some specific places. There were also quite a lot of workers coming out from their barracks.

Good to hear. Thanks for the update.

rich Chinese , rich China...

Yesterday evening I went by the construction site and there was still a bit of activity. There were some lights inside the two holes lighting some specific places. There were also quite a lot of workers coming out from their barracks.

Awesome!!! Keep your eyes open on this project YannSZ!!!

Good to hear that they didn't shut down the site completely. At this point I guess we will not see construction resume until at least after the Chinese New Year.

They are not shutting down anything this project will get at full speed in one month

It might be longer then that, they could be waiting to make sure Shanghai Tower is solid before starting. Saw a picture of a chinese apartment topple over because of poor fondation. This building seems to be stretching the engineering of building materials with only 5floors underground for such a tall structure.

They are not shutting down anything this project will get at full speed in one month

What makes you say that?

21 Jan 2011 by veryamateurish

http://i344.photobucket.com/albums/p340/Dalianon/Shenzhen%20photos/11b8239f.jpg

http://i344.photobucket.com/albums/p340/Dalianon/Shenzhen%20photos/9d748e04.jpg

23 Jan 2011 by erson1314

http://pic.gaoloumi.com/attachments/day_110123/11012321453a6cf4364318921c.jpg

http://pic.gaoloumi.com/attachments/day_110123/1101232146d0b34e4ee9a7c741.jpg

23 Jan 2011 by 自然兄

http://i344.photobucket.com/albums/p340/Dalianon/Shenzhen%20photos/3d317ed4.jpg

http://i344.photobucket.com/albums/p340/Dalianon/Shenzhen%20photos/9bc16ad9.jpg

http://i344.photobucket.com/albums/p340/Dalianon/Shenzhen%20photos/f40b4985.jpg

http://i344.photobucket.com/albums/p340/Dalianon/Shenzhen%20photos/86f52f91.jpg

I'm seeing good news :)

I see the crane has moved and people at the site. What are those steel frames in the hole though? Thanks for the pics Scion :)

finally something is happening again x)

What are those steel frames in the hole though?

I've saw similar "frames" on other places. they are some kind of small cranes used to lift some buckets with soil from the holes which they will start to dig soon. they are digging some 1.5-2mm wide wells, pour concrete on the sides, then keep excavating under, then again concrete, excavation, etc. eventually will be a very deep, 20-30m well where probably will insert the rebar and pour concrete. this should be one of the foundations piles. all the excavation which i saw was done manually, with 12 century technology, using just pickaxes and shovel. let's hope that someone will explain us in more detail the procedure, and post some pictures when they will do this.

looking like some movement at last ,hope they pick up the pace a little.

I've tried to enhance this last pic.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5166/5382909310_b960d42b78_b.jpg

I've saw similar "frames" on other places. they are some kind of small cranes used to lift some buckets with soil from the holes which they will start to dig soon. they are digging some 1.5-2mm wide wells, pour concrete on the sides, then keep excavating under, then again concrete, excavation, etc. eventually will be a very deep, 20-30m well where probably will insert the rebar and pour concrete. this should be one of the foundations piles. all the excavation which i saw was done manually, with 12 century technology, using just pickaxes and shovel. let's hope that someone will explain us in more detail the procedure, and post some pictures when they will do this.

crriss you seem to know whats going on with this project. Do you live in Shenzhen?:)

No money:

Ping An shares see huge fall
Source: Global Times
Comments By Wang Xinyuan

The share prices of China's second largest life insurer, Ping An Insurance (Group) Company, plunged on both the Shanghai and Hong Kong stock markets Thursday driven by fears over its possible refinancing plan.
On the Shanghai Stock Exchange, Ping An's shares took the biggest tumble among the Top 5, closing at 52.59 yuan ($7.93), down 4.14 percent from the previous day. On the Hong Kong exchange, it fell to HK$84.75 ($10.9), down 0.7 percent.
"The share price collapse is mainly driven by fears in the market that Ping An might need to find refinancing of up to 80-100 billion yuan ($12.06- $15.08 billion) for meeting the minimum capital requirement set by the regulators," Luo Qi, an insurance analyst with Ping An Securities, told the Global Times.
"We think that Ping An lacks funds for expansion over the next 2-3 years. It would be best for them to acquire extra capital by taking advantage of the strong capital market now," Sun Xu, an insurance analyst with UBS Securities, wrote in a November report.
The company has a capital shortfall of 20-50 billion yuan ($3.02-7.54 billion), Reuters reported Thursday citing other brokerages.
"We don't comment on market rumors. Ping An's financial status is stable. So far we haven't received any notification of the refinancing plan," Sheng Ruisheng, Ping An Group's spokesman, told the Global Times.
The nightmare of Ping An's huge refinancing initiative in January 2008 is still fresh in the public's memory.
The company had then decided to issue an additional 1.2 billion shares and 41.2-billion-yuan ($6.21 billion) worth of convertible bonds to raise a total of around 160 billion yuan ($24.12 billion). The aim was to prop up its investment in the Belgium-based Fortis Group.
Following that announcement, shareholders of Ping An suffered 20 percent losses in the A-share market on two consecutive days. Fears that the large-scale refinancing would dilute the earnings per share caused a panic sell-off.
Ping An's audacious move triggered a refinance craze among other big listed A-share companies such as China Unicom and Shanghai Pudong Development Bank, hammering China's stock market all the way down.
Given that terrible experience, investors believe that this time too, the company's refinancing might be the signal for yet another imminent sell-off, Xu Liping, an independent insurance consultant, told the Global Times.
http://business.globaltimes.cn/china-markets/2011-01/609742.html

Oh dear, I hope this doesn't put a stop to the project.

Hi all.

Looking back through the 350 construction pics I have, I don't see any piles being done in the areas of the 2 holes. The piles for the podium were done with full size pile rigs like this.
From 10 01 18

http://i51.tinypic.com/1zxwsqs.jpg

The foundation stategy for this project along with ST are perplexing for differing reasons. I won't get into ST as I have posted on it before. Most projects that pile before excavation (including ST by the way) do all the piling that will be under the tower and pour the concrete so the top is just above the level they will be excavating to. They then dig down exposing the pile caps that they then break to expose the rebar that will tie into the raft rebar they add later. I posted before wondering about the lack of piles under the main structures. I thought they must have done them between updates and since the drawings show 5 basement levels we would see them being exposed while digging the next (5th) level.
Now that we have seen the ceremony from the bottom I question:
1 - whether there will be 5 lower levels, and
2 - whether they did any piling under the 'holes' yet.

With that being said I have my doubts that after using full size piling rigs for the podium that they will now resort to piling techniques from 100 years ago using those tiny frames and manual labor. The frames look like they could barely lift a couple of 5 gallon pales full of dirt at a time.

I don't pretend to know what the foundation strategy will be under the main structures and the frames are surely down there for a reason ...
This will be interesting to 'watch' and it is good to see some sort of action.

:cheers:
Ray.

Is this project on hold or cancelled?

^^
no progress for a while doesn't mean it's cancelled :doh:
i guess it's on hold. but there is also this strange yellow wireframe in the last update... so probably something is happening again...

The workers are enjoying their Chinese traditional new year holiday.
Hope there will be some progress after the holiday.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=471040&page=64

According to this, Ping'an IFC might be 660m...?

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=471040&page=64

According to this, Ping'an IFC might be 660m...?

So it means a redesign is on the horizon? That would be great news, te current design is gosh-darned awful. A redesign would be just what the doctor ordered.

i do not think it is redesigned. if the height is correct only the pinnacle might change

648m according to the source quoted by that article.
http://www.thorntontomasetti.com/projects/ping_an_international_finance_center

AFAIK the 660m rumor was fabricated by a troll from certain Chinese forum who photoshopped some diagrams.

648m according to the source quoted by that article.
http://www.thorntontomasetti.com/projects/ping_an_international_finance_center

AFAIK the 660m rumor was fabricated by a troll from certain Chinese forum who potoshopped some diagrams.


ugghhhhh, We need to start a petition for redesign; the current design blows, very very badly. I was pretty much expecting a redesign with the delay that they are having. I thought they had come to their senses, but maybe apparently not!

Please Ping'An, don't let us down again.

^^ Hehe. Well, according to the trollcracies we get most updates from, where nobody bothers to provide or even mention sources for anything they post about, they may actually redesign it. But likely minor design changes.

Height of 660 meters down the approval has not yet approved, to wait until after New Year it.

Will they have all the money to finish what they started?!

diagram update
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5135/5427024213_22579f91b0_o.jpg

awesome culwalla, i wonder when it will start rising, but will take some more time i guess

The underground stage of skyscrapers always takes forever, it is annoying as hell but unfortunately unavoidable. I'm sure that once this is above ground it will go at a respectable one-floor-a-week speed.

The underground stage of skyscrapers always takes forever, it is annoying as hell but unfortunately unavoidable. I'm sure that once this is above ground it will go at a respectable one-floor-a-week speed.

yeah i know probably the foundation will be nearly finished at next chinese new year and then we can see it rising, if earlier even better

So this means we have a project ON HOLD if they are redesigning it and changing height the final height might as well be 550 for all I know until we have a credible source of information quoting something Official

Hi all.

The underground stage of skyscrapers always takes forever, it is annoying as hell but unfortunately unavoidable. I'm sure that once this is above ground it will go at a respectable one-floor-a-week speed.

Hi Drone.

I rather enjoy the foundation works. There is just as much happening as the later above grade work - it's just not as visually apparent. The earlier planning phase and even earlier conceptual phase are just as enjoyable to me. :)

As for this project it does seem they are in a holding pattern - perhaps not 'on hold' but certainly 'on pause'.

:cheers:
Ray.

Scion sent me a message a while ago saying Ping'an want to push the height to 660 meters but Beijing is dragging their feet on approving it. Also he said there was cracking on the concrete foundations due to heavy rain recieved this summer.

So this means we have a project ON HOLD if they are redesigning it and changing height the final height might as well be 550 for all I know until we have a credible source of information quoting something Official

Just ignore those baseless rumors. They are normally fabricated by attention whores.

Hi all.



Hi Drone.

I rather enjoy the foundation works. There is just as much happening as the later above grade work - it's just not as visually apparent. The earlier planning phase and even earlier conceptual phase are just as enjoyable to me. :)

As for this project it does seem they are in a holding pattern - perhaps not 'on hold' but certainly 'on pause'.

:cheers:
Ray.

Well we did had an update where there were pillar equipment , I would say it might take 3-6 month at least to finish the foundation works and spanning to over one year the underground works. Chinese engineering is amazing :cheers:

Just ignore those baseless rumors. They are normally fabricated by attention whores.

Thank you Zorg

ugghhhhh, We need to start a petition for redesign; the current design blows, very very badly. I was pretty much expecting a redesign with the delay that they are having. I thought they had come to their senses, but maybe apparently not!

Please Ping'An, don't let us down again.

I love the current design, I hope they don't change it, but I'm worried it won't get built.

I might even prefer it to Shanghai Tower...

I love the current design, I hope they don't change it, but I'm worried it won't get built.

Hope you are kidding. Aesthetics is not a word that I would put in the same sentence as pingan at this point.

I was thinking how hard it would be to adapt the work so far to a design like Chicago spire. That is one superb design that is just looking for a place to get built, it would fit SZ skyline very well. How good it would be to have KK and CS on the same skyline.

^^
I agree. Ping'an looks like an Aon Tower-Empire State Building hybrid that took the worst parts of both buildings. A new design would be great. Maybe all glass this time. For me, 2000ft+ should be fully glass.

^^yeah its bad cause its square and it has a spire in the center :lol:
honestly i dont see a single thing ugly about this building

Empire State Building look-alike

Simple is good here, what is the status on it now 648 or 660?

Just ignore those baseless rumors. They are normally fabricated by attention whores.


+1 to that :banana::banana::banana:
I love the current design, I hope they don't change it, but I'm worried it won't get built.

:cheers::cheers::cheers:

To throw some heat on the baseless rumors, I was walking by Coco Park the other day, and the renders on the walls of the site were ripped off. Again, I have no idea what that means.

Now, I would absolutely love for this project to be built (I don't understand the criticism about the design), but I too am worried that it will become nothing but another 烂尾.

It is important to remember that Shenzhen does not have the government-directed fixed asset investment machine that is sported by Beijing, Shanghai and Chongqing (or even province capitals like Guangzhou, Hangzhou, or Shenyang). Shenzhen, as a city, is one of China's most market-oriented - as an SEZ, it gets a number of preferential policies that make it a great place to do business, but that means that the financial burden of real estate development by and large falls on private enterprises. Shenzhen's economic strength is also its weakness - you live by the sword and die by the sword. Shenzhen is riddled with half built real estate projects.

So yeah, when a private company is attempting to build the tallest skyscraper in China (and Asia at large), and said company is having trouble meeting the central government's new capital requirements, and the president of said company (Louis Cheung) jumped ship to start a private equity firm... there might be indeed be a problem.

Remember that Ping An, unlike other private real estate developers such as Excellence or Vanke, can't simply borrow the money to make up the difference. The fact that they already have too many liabilities is what's causing their difficulties in the first place.

We'll see what happens, and I don't think it's enough to put the project "on hold" yet. Chinese securities companies are secretive to a fault, and finding English language news is even more of a struggle. But yeah, I don't think the rumors are completely baseless.

If anyone can help me find some good, in depth financial statements from the Ping An Group (even in Chinese... financial statements are pretty easy to read), I'd love to scour them for more information as to whether Ping An is indeed facing a real capital shortfall. Anything to keep my mind off of teaching English ;)

^^ Good insights.

The signs being torn down around the site doesn't sound encouraging. Looks like we're in for a long wait.

^^ Good insights.

The signs being torn down around the site doesn't sound encouraging. Looks like we're in for a long wait.

Some of the signs were torn down to let room for new and fresh advertising. The main board on the South East corner is still up. This year is the year of the Universiade (student olympic games) in Shenzhen and Pingand is one of the partner, they are advertising on this it makes more sense than advertising on a building that will completed 3 or 4 years later. On the hotel construction site there are Pingan advertisement about their financial services.

Well, that's encouraging at least. While I still worry, it was the North-East corner render that was torn, which means it was probably due to the elements or something.

by:自然兄
http://pic.qnpic.com:83/r.jsp?fn=//fanjoin/share/2011/2/17/151297957370240.jpg

http://pic.qnpic.com:83/r.jsp?fn=//fanjoin/share/2011/2/17/181297957428417.jpg

http://pic.qnpic.com:83/r.jsp?fn=//fanjoin/share/2011/2/17/191297957462466.jpg

http://pic.qnpic.com:83/r.jsp?fn=//fanjoin/share/2011/2/17/261297957588088.jpg

The weather's not good,but we can see that there's still some progress on the site.

The building itself is iconic. But I can't imagine Shenzhen stealing the skyline crown from HK.

In the end, HK + Shenzhen will form a mega skyline.

So these little tools seems to have been put in order.
Some weeks ago they were like this:
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5166/5382909310_b960d42b78_b.jpg

And now they are like this:
I've enhanced one part of 自然兄 picture.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5300/5455148209_8ec2e928ab_b.jpg

So does anybody knows exactly the purpose of these kind of small cranes?

So the billboard on the South East side is still up today:
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5215/5455159897_989005e0fa_z.jpg

And most of the advertisement around the 2 construction sites are about the 2011 Shenzhen Universiade:
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5291/5455160545_b43e427d0b_z.jpg

Looks like work has resumed.

Looks like work has resumed.

AWESOME :cheers:

The endless loads of unsourced and random rumors fabricated by unreliable forums got something right this time? Can't believe it! :D


[...]and Ping An International Financial Center Tower (660 m) in Shenzhen, PRC.
http://www.thorntontomasetti.com/news/press/102-thornton_tomasetti_s_dennis_c_k_poon_named_enr_top_newsmaker_

Even so who knows if it's real. We better wait till we have some serious stuff. I mean, press releases are sometimes wrong, or they measure the building from the bottom floor or whatever.

All of us who are obsessed about height are crossing our fingers that there is truth to the rumours. ;)

Poor Shanghai anyway, they always miss 'the tallest' titles.

Yes!!!

Poor Shanghai anyway, they always miss 'the tallest' titles.

well shanghai will have the tallest building in china for probably a year or something, when shanghai tower is finished^^

good news

I really don't think that work has resumed. Both construction sites really look dead. I understand that some work in foundations are not as visible as other types of work but there is really few activity on the site, none of the main doors are opened, almost no workers etc.

Well, I stand corrected :).

Alternative hypothesis of the stoppage: they stopped work on Ping'An roughly around the same time they put up walls up near the North East Corner of Coco Park in order to work on the train station. I wonder perhaps there's any connection? Futian Station is going to be a massive underground railway station and I'm sure they're pushing to get work finished by the summer Universiade.

well shanghai will have the tallest building in china for probably a year or something, when shanghai tower is finished^^

Before it was Chicago vs. New York. Now it is Shenzen vs. Shanghai. FIGHT!

This is one of my favorites right now. I hope this and the CITIC proposal in Beijing end up being built.

So does anyone know the reason why the construction has stopped? hasn't this been for months now? Shouldn't the status be put as on-hold? Because in fact it seems to be so.

Well, I stand corrected :).

Alternative hypothesis of the stoppage: they stopped work on Ping'An roughly around the same time they put up walls up near the North East Corner of Coco Park in order to work on the train station. I wonder perhaps there's any connection? Futian Station is going to be a massive underground railway station and I'm sure they're pushing to get work finished by the summer Universiade.

I concurre. This is what I wrote on the 13th of January, it seems like a very possible explanation.

I would maybe have another explanation. The underconstruction subway and Hong Kong Shenzhen Guangzhou express railway are under construction right beside the construction site. Would it be possible that they need to wait for the tunnels to be done and consolidated before going up?

I concurre. This is what I wrote on the 13th of January, it seems like a very possible explanation.

I would maybe have another explanation. The underconstruction subway and Hong Kong Shenzhen Guangzhou express railway are under construction right beside the construction site. Would it be possible that they need to wait for the tunnels to be done and consolidated before going up?

do you know when the railway is supposed to be finished at that part?

es un interesante edificio

es un interesante edificio

es un interesante comentario ;)

I love it. I hope they keep the golden colour.

I really like the shorter building. I didn't notice it, the first time I seen this tower.

Yesterday evening I went by the construction site and it seems dead but when you peep through the main doors you can see some night lights on top of each holes giving light to the inside of the hole. But what construction process can be so quiet and does not require cranes or trucks?

Hi all.

Hi Yann.

There can't be much going on.
At this stage in the foundation work for the main structure they will be either:
1 - digging further to expose previously install piles.
or
2 - installing piles from the bottom of the holes.

We seem to be in a holding pattern.

:cheers:
Ray.

These are pictures I took yesterday afternoon inside Coco Park this is a view on the North-West corner of the construction site, I don't really know to what this is linked. As it's not part of the PingAn construction and that there should not be any metro construction here.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5059/5482434118_b2c78f6fc4_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5137/5481897869_3064a18624_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5255/5482502542_219d7cbb10_b.jpg

Any news or updates on this?

Any news or updates on this?

You tell me! Your the Shenzhen guy YannSZ:)

I know... :(
But I can't tell much on the outlook of the construction site. Not much visible going on down there.
But maybe we can find more information on chinese websites. (I'm not chinese).

I don't think that PAIFC is now on hold.Look at those dorms for the workers,obviously they are still working for the construction site.

The design of this building is just...unbelieveble, its nothing like i ever seen before!

I don't think that PAIFC is now on hold.Look at those dorms for the workers,obviously they are still working for the construction site.

Valid point Konta:cheers:

Here's some pics by 1788111 on 01 March 2011

http://pic.qnpic.com:83/r.jsp?fn=//fanjoin/share/2011/3/2/conew_img_4430.jpg

http://pic.qnpic.com:83/r.jsp?fn=//fanjoin/share/2011/3/2/conew_img_4432.jpg

http://pic.qnpic.com:83/r.jsp?fn=//fanjoin/share/2011/3/2/conew_img_4420.jpg

http://pic.qnpic.com:83/r.jsp?fn=//fanjoin/share/2011/3/2/conew_img_4425.jpg

http://pic.qnpic.com:83/r.jsp?fn=//fanjoin/share/2011/3/2/conew_img_4426.jpg

http://pic.qnpic.com:83/r.jsp?fn=//fanjoin/share/2011/3/2/conew_img_4427.jpg

http://pic.qnpic.com:83/r.jsp?fn=//fanjoin/share/2011/3/2/conew_img_4433.jpg

http://pic.qnpic.com:83/r.jsp?fn=//fanjoin/share/2011/3/2/conew_img_4434.jpg

http://pic.qnpic.com:83/r.jsp?fn=//fanjoin/share/2011/3/2/conew_img_4435.jpg

http://pic.qnpic.com:83/r.jsp?fn=//fanjoin/share/2011/3/2/conew_img_4437.jpg

http://pic.qnpic.com:83/r.jsp?fn=//fanjoin/share/2011/3/2/conew_img_44381299066148332.jpg

http://pic.qnpic.com:83/r.jsp?fn=//fanjoin/share/2011/3/2/conew_img_44391299066153120.jpg

http://pic.qnpic.com:83/r.jsp?fn=//fanjoin/share/2011/3/2/conew_img_4440.jpg

http://pic.qnpic.com:83/r.jsp?fn=//fanjoin/share/2011/3/2/conew_img_4441.jpg

Nothing new under the sun

whens this beast going to rise

It looks very quiet in those pics. :shifty:

^^
Disturbingly quiet! :(

Thanks Scion!

Still nothing major here! I have just noticed that at least there was a guard at the south entrance of the main construction site to keep cars from parking in front of the entrance which means that there is probably some activity of trucks going in and out (or only out :S ) of the site.
Scion? z0rg? any extra info?

Man, China is nasty right now. I didn't even know about this. If the go ahead with this one they're gonna be kicking everyone else's ass with supertalls. And supertalls that they actually have a realistic and economic need for, too. My favorite is the Shanghai Tower because it has the most floors, full floors, and no spire.

This one is taller but with a spire and less floors, how much floor area is this one supossed to be?

Yesterday evening I heard noises of what seemed to be jackhammers on pingan construction site.

I also saw a few workers walking out of the construction gate on Saturday.

Here is an interesting article in chinese, it can ben translated by google and remains pretty understandable.
http://www.gddkj.gov.cn/ShowArticle.asp?ArticleID=8660

It says that the foundation work is particularly difficult as it's surrounded by close buildings and the construction of the metro that is just adjacent. The deformation max could not exceed 4mm.

If chinese readers could give us perhaps more feedbacks on this article?

Here is an interesting article in chinese, it can ben translated by google and remains pretty understandable.
http://www.gddkj.gov.cn/ShowArticle.asp?ArticleID=8660

It says that the foundation work is particularly difficult as it's surrounded by close buildings and the construction of the metro that is just adjacent. The deformation max could not exceed 4mm.

If chinese readers could give us perhaps more feedbacks on this article?

I think that is the smoking gun.... NOT on-hold just a tough project to build.:cheers:

If this goes ahead and is built to the gold colored renders shown, it could surpass the Shanghai Tower as the coolest in China. Does 4mm deformation mean it has to be built so that it is perfectly verticle within 4mm? I remember reading that the empire state building was considered an architectural wonder because it was built within one inch of perfect. 4mm is even less than an inch and this is so much taller, that's neat.

If this goes ahead and is built to the gold colored renders shown, it could surpass the Shanghai Tower as the coolest in China. Does 4mm deformation mean it has to be built so that it is perfectly verticle within 4mm? I remember reading that the empire state building was considered an architectural wonder because it was built within one inch of perfect. 4mm is even less than an inch and this is so much taller, that's neat.

"Could surpass the ST as the coolest in China", and maybe even more important, especially for us skyscraper fans, could surpass the ST as the highest in China and the second highest in the world.

Btw one inch is 254 mm, so it's much more precise than ESB.

"Could surpass the ST as the coolest in China", and maybe even more important, especially for us skyscraper fans, could surpass the ST as the highest in China and the second highest in the world.

When shall Mumbai Tower pass Pingan IFC?

"Could surpass the ST as the coolest in China", and maybe even more important, especially for us skyscraper fans, could surpass the ST as the highest in China and the second highest in the world.

Btw one inch is 254 mm, so it's much more precise than ESB.

So that is what that was refering to, then? And you mean 25.4mm=1in

I don't even know how they can tell if it's within 1/5 of an inch at 2100 feet. Even on the stillest day it should sway enough to make it a difficult measurement.

Hong Kong’s Fourth-Richest Billionaire Buys Ping An Stake For $2.5 Billion

Ping An Insurance (Group) Co. raised HK$19.4 billion ($2.5 billion) selling shares to a Hong Kong billionaire to help China’s second-largest insurance company bolster capital.

Chow Tai Fook Nominee Ltd., controlled by the family of the Hong Kong tycoon Cheng Yu-tung, bought 272 million shares at HK$71.50 each, according to a Hong Kong exchange filing late yesterday. The new stock represents 3.44 percent of expanded share capital, and Ping An will use the money to increase its solvency ratio and “broaden the capital scale,” it said.

Ping An is raising capital after saying in September it will pay 29.1 billion yuan ($4.4 billion) for control of Shenzhen Development Bank Co. to enhance banking operations.

“They need to raise capital for the medium- and long-term as the acquisition of Shenzhen Development Bank brings down its solvency ratio,” said Shanghai-based Sheng. “A private placement can be fast, but it dilutes existing holdings and it’s hard to tell what shareholders’ response will be.”

The solvency ratio of Ping An’s property and casualty unit dropped 7.4 percentage points in the first half of 2010 to 136.2 percent as of June 30, as premiums surged by 61 percent, and the gauge for its life insurance arm fell 20 percentage points to 206.3 percent, according to company filings.

Chinese insurer may be subject to restrictions when their solvency ratios drop below 150 percent, according to government rules.
Buying a Bank

Under the agreement, Ping An will pay 2.69 billion yuan in cash and inject its existing banking unit into the Shenzhen- based lender in return for a 22.4 percent stake, raising its holdings to 52.39 percent.

The insurer, also based in Shenzhen, already raised its holding in the Shenzhen bank to 29.99 percent in June by buying a stake from Newbridge Capital LLC and new shares.

Ping An Insurance achieved “much better” underwriting profitability for non-life business last year than in 2009 as expenses dropped, Shi Liangxun, vice president of Ping An Property & Casualty Insurance Co., said on March 1.

It will be “very difficult” to lower the unit’s combined ratio, which measures expenses and claims as a percentage of premiums earned, further this year, Shi said. The unit will also find it hard to exceed an estimated 20 percent average in premium growth for China’s non-life insurance industry this year, Shi said.

The share in the placement announced yesterday will be issued under Ping An’s general mandate, granted to the board at the June 29 annual shareholders’ meeting, according to the statement.
Trading Resumes

Ping An was suspended in Hong Kong yesterday and will resume trading at 9 a.m. today, according to the statement to the exchange. The stock has dropped 6 percent this year, while Hong Kong’s benchmark Hang Seng Index has risen 1.4 percent.

The insurer’s Shanghai shares dropped 4 percent on Jan. 6 after a Citic Securities Co. report saying it may need to raise up to 40 billion yuan.

Cheng controls property company New World Development Co. and was ranked by Forbes Magazine as Hong Kong’s fourth-richest person.

Hong Kong’s richest man, Li Ka-shing, last year invested in a rights offer by London-based Prudential Plc.

To contact the reporters on this story: Shelley Smith in Hong Kong at ssmith118@bloomberg.net; Bei Hu in Hong Kong at bhu5@bloomberg.net

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-03-14/hong-kong-s-fourth-richest-billionaire-buys-ping-an-stake-for-2-5-billion.html

Good to hear they are shoring up their money supply!

Yesterday evening I went by the construction sites, north and south sites. Not lot activity but still the barracks are lighten up there are workers. And the barracks on the south construction site are now filled with workers. This added to the jackhammers sounds + the guards that keeps the main entrance cleared from parked cars, it seems it will start back to normal speed soon.
Anyways compared with Guangzhou East tower construction site it's Disneyland on steroids.

Hi all.

Nice to hear there is some movement at the site - albeit small.

As for the 4mm deflection I would hazard a guess that is the max amout allowed for the metro and/or the adjacent structures.

The 648 meter tall PingAn Tower WILL have considerably more deflection than 4 mm.
The maximum horizontal deflection allowed in a 100 meter high building is 0.1 to 0.5 meters depending on what country your in. These are max numbers - most construction firms would strive for, and achieve much less.
Point is no structure is perfectly plumb.

:cheers:
Ray.

Anyways compared with Guangzhou East tower construction site it's Disneyland on steroids.

Shanghai Tower compared to Pingan is like Disneyland on steroids lol!

Shanghai Tower compared to Pingan is like Disneyland on steroids lol!

:lol: Not untrue at all

Hey guys,

So there is lot more activity on the construction site!

- There are new barracks on the West side of the construction site (main tower)
- They are demolishing 3 metro air vent blocks at the north side of the site
- They are removing some stuffs from the pit and putting in some kind of square shape rebars

I'd appreciate some comments on the pictures from experts.

Sorry for the quality I had to zoom in with my iphone!

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5132/5533777517_33b47e9f45_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5291/5533777251_0c9da3af7c_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5211/5534358592_c757e1b91e_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5051/5533777735_4fa017a434_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5219/5533777963_a0b58fb8d9_b.jpg

^^ constructions to Go.... :cheers:

lol most epic in picture discription i've ever seen :D
and thanks yann for the updates ~

Wonderful news!

Thanks YannSZ!!! I needed a bit of good news today:)

No comments from the experts necessary, the next second tallest building in the world is clearing moving ahead. :)

Thank you YannSZ!

Thanks all. Does anybody know what the use of these square shapes rebars they are putting in the pit?

Hi all.

Hi Yann.
Thanks for the update.
I posted before on the subject of piling under the main structures (under the holes). I have no shots showing any piling being done where the holes are located (before they were top downed) and many of piling being done for the podium. The piling under the holes could have been done between updates of course - so I'm not sure.

Next unanswered question is the depth and type of the podium piling. Do they go down to bedrock or are they skin friction ? Does anyone from the area know how deep the bedrock is ?

The next question in my mind is why the holes are only 4 levels deep when the drawings posted clearly show 5 ? Did they revise the plan or will they top down another level ? They did some sort of ceremony at the bottom seemingly like they were done digging - so ?

Without answers to these questions I can only hazard a guess to your query on the square rebar. If bedrock is right there they could be the rebar for column footings that sit on the bedrock. I would think either 4 or 9 of them would be used for each footing as they look to be too small to be used individually.
Seems a bit of a stretch though ...

:cheers:
Ray.

Thanks for Yann's update and Expert Ray's comment!

Thanks Yann, looks like more is being taken out then being put in though.

When I was taking the pictures I saw only once the main crane taking out the rebars.
Perhaps do they use these straight rebars to make the square ones in the welding workshop on the East side of the construction site.

Anything new here? Has activity died?

^^ You should read more than one post before

^^ You should read more than one post before

lol no, you're mistaken, I have been posting here for a while, it's just that now there have been no updates for a while. On such a development that's just swinging back into action I would assume there'd be a lot of posts or excitement or something.

Anything new in the last two days, such as an increase or decrease in activity on the site?

:) increase! I took pictures yesterday, I've even been able to go on high floors of the International Chamber of Commerce building just close to the construction site. Stay tuned for more :)

Hello,

So yesterday I tried to take more pictures of the PAIFC construction sites.

The West gate of hotel construction site was opened so I could take some pictures of the containers barracks + concrete made barracks.

Then the South gate of main construction site was opened. I've spotted lot of small blue pick up trucks that were taking what looked like cement down the south pit (that leads also to the main tower pit).

Then I went to the 4th floor of the China Telecom building and I saw that they were taking straight rebars and square shape rebars down the main pit.
I also saw some workers starting to pile up some wood planks, which could mean great news as they might start the inside construction (I don't know how to call that). But there is definitely no traces of a 5th level! Could it mean that they won't go as high as expected? Can we make a 646m building with only 4 underground floors?

Then I went to Shenzhen International Chamber of Commerce building on the East side of the construction site and one of the guard was very kind and took me to the air conditioning equipment floors at the 47th and 32nd floor. Unfortunately there was not access to the west part of the building so I've only been able to take bad pictures from the north side of the building through metal net. But at least we can see what's going on down there! It's really only in China that people are kind enough to take a foreigner up to restricted areas of a building to allow him to take pictures! Thanks China!

Here are the pictures. (and sorry for the quality of some of the pictures!)
You can see more here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/yleberre/sets/1582442/

So here we go:

First of all the Hotel construction site:
- From the West gate:
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5257/5541607229_cbf482c716_z.jpg
- Container barracks + construction of concrete barracks:
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5095/5542187758_12d62d50be_z.jpg
- Taken from 47th floor of Shenzhen International Chamber of Commerce. You can see the container barracks + the concrete barracks behind, close to the west wall.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5260/5541627609_41416fc4a7_z.jpg
- Here we can see all the buildings of the hotel construction site. Worker buildings, cladding tryout, office building etc.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5259/5542205614_d0e65c36fc_z.jpg

Then the main construction site:
- From the South gate. This type of blue trucks were going inside the pit loaded with pile of sand or cement and were going out empty. Here is the cleaning before exiting the construction site.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5297/5542188690_53c81088e8_z.jpg
- Same blue trucks taken from the north side, coming out of the pit.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5292/5542192864_ab0ea5d260_z.jpg

- The worst picture! Workers piling up wood planks on the north west corner of the main construction site
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5019/5542193778_3e14511893_z.jpg

- Putting in the straight rebars
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5176/5541617761_0629ea6919_z.jpg

- Taken from 32nd floor or Shenzhen International Chambre of Commerce down the main pit
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5058/5541628711_f97fc98662_z.jpg
- Here we can see the square shape rebars, the straight rebars and some wood planks.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5093/5541629441_4378fdbc36_z.jpg

You can get full format of these pictures here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/yleberre/sets/1582442/detail/

That's all for now. Experts commenting will be much appreciated.

Looks like it has four underground floors and a ground floor. Not five below ground levels as stated. Perhaps when it's all done that "ground floor" may seem below ground with all the stuff around it, though.

"Going in with cement and coming out empty"= I hope they're not filling it in! :lol:

Really though the basement looks old, kind of rusty, almost like the Chicago Spire, how long ago was this first under construction and for how long was it stalled? I know it was on hold at one point.

It kind of stalled only for 2 months in which there was 1 month for the chinese new year. But there was still some minor activity down the pit as there were huge lights at night lighting the inside of the pits.

Hi all.

Hi Yann.

Great update.
Never worry too much about picture quality - any shots are appreciated. :)

Here is the drawing I will be referring to.

http://i53.tinypic.com/2wnxwcj.jpg

1 - The number of underground levels.
They may have revised the plan to 4 from 5 of course, but that is not written in stone yet IMO. The idea that the ground level may seem to be underground when the landscaping is completed giving us the 5 lower levels, is valid, but I don't think so for this project. The ground level is the same height as the streets around the site. There isn't room for a slope, plus the drawing shows the grade is flat across the site.
The drawing shows levels B4 and B5 are much shorter than B3, B2, and B1. Yet in the holes, level B4 seems to be as tall as the other 3. Perhaps by digging only a meter (or so) more they could still make 2 levels out of the bottom one ?
The drawing seems to show a 6th (unused) lower level under the main structure - I think this signifies the thick concrete foundation slab.

2 - Bedrock / piling.
The drawing shows bedrock depth varies substantially across the site. Under the main structure it looks to be a little more than twice as deep as the current hole. The vertical lines just above the rock signify piling IMO. I do have many shots of full size piling rigs on site last year - just none showing piling for the holes. There has to be piling under the main structures to carry the load to the bedrock. Whether it was done last year or is yet to be done remains to be seen. It would make more sense to have done all the piling at once.
If the piles are already done they should have to dig further to expose the pile caps, break them to expose the rebar, and tie in said rebar to the rebar for the thick slab that will tie everything together.
What we see happening in the latest pics doesn't look to me to be getting ready for piling rigs to work at the bottom of the hole so if they're not already done I'm not sure what the plan is.

It will be interesting to 'watch' for sure (with help from people like Yann). The foundation strategy for both the ST and this project are definately different than the norm. Now that the ST is further along the method there makes sense.
I'm sure this one will too, in time.

:cheers:
Ray.

Thanks for the update, YannSZ. It's great to know that this project is [hopefully] moving ahead. I will be in SZ next month and hope to see some more action in the construction site. :)

Thanks for the update YannSZ! Glad to see the stoppage was temporary.

Wait a minute. I was confusing the two. It's the Shanghai Tower that's supossed to have 5 basement floors. Was this supossed to have 5 as well? I believe the Shanghai Tower also looks to have only 4 basement levels instead of 5, just like this one, I guess.

Jeez, the two really have identical foundations, perhaps both were supossed to have 5 and got changed to four.

Nevermind, it looks like the Shanghai Tower has 5 basements, and they're not near identical. Look at how much taller the 1st basement floor is than the bottom.

Well, maybe it really only has 4 below grade floors, though, because I don't think the very bottom of the pit will be a "floor."
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/59/Shanghai_Tower_foundation%2C_early_2010.jpg/800px-Shanghai_Tower_foundation%2C_early_2010.jpg

Hi Miami.

The drawings for both projects show 5 lower levels.
The top of the slab in the ST is the floor of level B5 and I have many shots showing they did all 5 levels.
As I posted above, the number of lower levels for this project remains to be seen but there is only 4 right now.

:cheers:
Ray.

Today both main cranes were working on the main construction site + the crane truck. Lots of square shape rebars are piling up everywhere.
I saw also the crane truck dropping inside the hole what looked like scaffolding.
Then more barracks on the hotel construction site.

Today both main cranes were working on the main construction site + the crane truck. Lots of square shape rebars are piling up everywhere.
I saw also the crane truck dropping inside the hole what looked like scaffolding.
Then more barracks on the hotel construction site.

Good to hear YannSZ!!! Glad you are so close to the site.

Today both main cranes were working on the main construction site + the crane truck. Lots of square shape rebars are piling up everywhere.
I saw also the crane truck dropping inside the hole what looked like scaffolding.
Then more barracks on the hotel construction site.

Another owned for rumor-mongers! :cheers:

SZ is going crazy actually. With SITC and Feng Long/Kaisa showing activity, Hon Kwok's foundation works progressing quickly and so many new proposals in the last months! COFCO (328m), China Resources (460m), and many 200m+.

does this mean construction has restarted?

^^ it never really stopped!!

This building is one of my favourite supertalls (U/C or completed)... massive, tall and magnificent. Go Shenzhen!

it's look like that something on the bottom of the construction site.
what is it?
http://pic.qnpic.com:83/r.jsp?fn=//fanjoin/share/2011/3/21/18.jpg
http://pic.qnpic.com:83/r.jsp?fn=//fanjoin/share/2011/3/21/17.jpg

^^ This was taken some weeks before. When the site was kind of idle.

Maybe this is a dumb question, but I saw an old excavation photo, and it looks like only one foundation hole, I think the one for the shorter tower, has a ramp, so how do they get the trucks out after filling them with dirt? Does the crane lft them out? Do they drive onto a platform that the crane is connected to? I wouldn't think the crane could efficiently do all that lifting. OR: Are the two foundations connected underground and the trucks drive to the spiral ramp the other one has?

^^ yes, the two holes are connected so the trucks and machinery can go between the two. :)

That is so cool.

^^ Actually most of the site is empty space beneath this concrete slab.

^^ Actually most of the site is empty space beneath this concrete slab.

Cool. Will it all be basement or will it get filled in or walled out?

I don't think they digged it out just to fill it again. Underground carpark, and lower shopping mall levels would be my guess as the future use of the space. Maybe fury remembers more on this subject.

Hi all.

The entire podium which is almost the size of the entire site is 4 levels deep - the same as the holes. It was done using the top down method, pouring the floor for each level, and leaving the holes for the main structures as they went. They did a secant wall around the perimeter first which can be seen in these shots ...

http://i56.tinypic.com/ruwvaw.jpg

http://i56.tinypic.com/2cxu5pe.jpg

See in my second last post, the drawing shows retail and parking for the lower levels.

:cheers:
Ray.

Hi all.

The entire podium which is almost the size of the entire site is 4 levels deep - the same as the holes. It was done using the top down method, pouring the floor for each level, and leaving the holes for the main structures as they went. They did a secant wall around the perimeter first which can be seen in these shots ...

Wow, I had no idea that the top down method left so much dirt and debris clinging to the infrastructure. I guess they have to pressure wash it off before they can start on the interior?

http://news.sznews.com/content/2011-03/25/content_5465080.htm

地铁３号线与１号线购物公园站换乘通道，按原计划将在６月３０日前交付使用，但在建设过程中，却遇到难题，附近正在修建的一栋大楼基坑及通道基坑施工，引起地铁１号线购物公园站沉降，并已达到极限。施工方采取地面注浆，将基坑所有钢管更换为钢筋等措施，确保了１号线安全运营。张思平要求，要力争该项工程按期完工。

The news say that to ensure the safety of the SZ metro construction,PAIFC has done some extra work to strengthen the site not long before.
Anyway,it seems that the problem has been solved.

Thanks Konta!!!

http://news.sznews.com/content/2011-03/25/content_5465080.htm

地铁３号线与１号线购物公园站换乘通道，按原计划将在６月３０日前交付使用，但在建设过程中，却遇到难题，附近正在修建的一栋大楼基坑及通道基坑施工，引起地铁１号线购物公园站沉降，并已达到极限。施工方采取地面注浆，将基坑所有钢管更换为钢筋等措施，确保了１号线安全运营。张思平要求，要力争该项工程按期完工。

The news say that to ensure the safety of the SZ metro construction,PAIFC has done some extra work to strengthen the site not long before.
Anyway,it seems that the problem has been solved.

Thanks! So I was right :)

Also from sznews

http://news.sznews.com/content/2011-03/23/content_5459272.htm


目前大厦的建设阶段仍处于地基“挖桩”部分，预计今年７月将可以进行首次的混凝土浇筑基础底板。

The concrete pouring for the foundation will start in July :)


幕墙设计方案需要修改而对施工进行过调整

The cladding design has undergone adjustments

Can't wait til Ping An joins the family :):):)

http://i.imgur.com/lxXHh.jpg

Can't wait til Ping An joins the family :):):)

http://i.imgur.com/lxXHh.jpg

cool,,need a newer version of this angle since KK100 has toped out..

wheres canton towers?

^^ =.=" This is a joke right?

Canton Tower is in the city of Guangzhou. This is Shenzhen City.

Can't wait til Ping An joins the family :):):)

http://i.imgur.com/lxXHh.jpg

Where in this exact skyline will the Pingan IFC be?
It will definately dominate the skyline no matter where it is.

Hi all.

Also from sznews

The concrete pouring for the foundation will start in July :)

Hi Scion.

Interesting.

Makes me think they will be digging more soon, exposing pile caps in the holes.

or

Doing the piling in the holes soon - then - digging more, exposing pile caps.

:cheers:
Ray.

Taken today:

Wood boards are piling up:
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5018/5560980738_ccfbcf94e1_z.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5134/5560982780_e6456261ec_z.jpg

Metal tubes lining up against the south side of the main construction site:
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5135/5560983174_d09558b388_z.jpg

Hotel construction site, some drilling in the background:
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5146/5560403017_4373282948_z.jpg

North-West corner of main construction site, from 1st floor of Coco Park. I still don't know what they're doing here.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5095/5560980180_1643a3c78d_z.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5302/5560406469_f73be05a3d_z.jpg

^^ =.=" This is a joke right?

Canton Tower is in the city of Guangzhou. This is Shenzhen City.

Indeed. The distance by rail is a bit over 100 km. Not sure how much by air. But at over 100 km, the curvature of Earth will block away the first few hundred metres of buildings, and the spires will look rather thin and inconspicuous so far.

But Hong Kong is less than 30 km away. The mountains of Kowloon rise over 900 m.

From the mountaintops of Kowloon, is it possible to see the skyline of Shenzhen beyond the bay, in the foreground, and the Pearl River delta including Canton Tower beyond?

^^
They have to get those huge stupid banners off the Excellence Century Towers in the backround.

Also from sznews


The cladding design has undergone adjustments

In other words it won't be gold anymore.

Where in this exact skyline will the Pingan IFC be?
It will definately dominate the skyline no matter where it is.

Indeed it will stand out too much in the skyline. A bit like the Taipei 101 effect.

Can you see the big telecom emission tower on the mountain in the background? From this angle, Ping An will pretty much be directly underneath that telecom tower, possibly even blocking it from our view.

Update from 陈鹏 and 小杨 from gaoloumi today. They went into the site and down the ramp.

http://i.imgur.com/9uyw3.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/3y1Wt.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/x6q6L.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/ysmYw.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/CFcZa.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/NoWIL.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/igCNl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/xs26w.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/P4Qfr.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/6o6mV.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/pWTDI.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/YVnvR.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/54vfv.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Vc6L0.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/FFKoS.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/eFfkB.jpg

Indeed it will stand out too much in the skyline. A bit like the Taipei 101 effect.

Can you see the big telecom emission tower on the mountain in the background? From this angle, Ping An will pretty much be directly underneath that telecom tower, possibly even blocking it from our view.

Well at least it won't be right in that dip to the left, and I'm pretty sure the "change in cladding" is a death knell for the gold we were all hoping for. The next announcement will be a height cutback. I'm guessing it'll end up under 2000 feet unless they make up for it by simply lengthening the spire.

Love the top down method of digging. Is four levels enough to hold a struture 650m though.

They wouldn't build such a tower with an insufficient foundation.

I bet that very soon the remaining dirt in the pit will be removed and the foundation will be revealed right underneath. Hopefully there will be some progress soon. In addition, I don't care if they change to coloring of the cladding but I want the height to stay the same!

I really hope it keeps both. If it's really brilliant gold like it shows it will really stand out among skyscrapers. Also if it stays well above 2000 feet so you can say it's two supertalls stacked on top of each other!

And I'm sure the foundation is very sturdy. It's not just the circle part, it's the whole surrounding area as well. Both towers will also be pretty much connected at the base. Somebody at the Shanghai Tower thread was wondering the same thing. They were asking why they were excavating around the hole.

Hi all.

It's the piling directly under the structure that will transfer the load down to the bedrock (in this case).
The lower levels are not part of the foundation. It's the piles and the raft that ties them together that supports the structure. Lower levels aren't even needed.

As I posted a page or two ago (and in agreement with Blue) they will either:
- dig further and expose the pile caps
or
- walk piling rigs down there, do the piling, then dig.

Since the latest word is raft pouring in July they have time to do the piling if nec. - if they get after it. It makes more sense they did all the piling for the main structures and podium at the same time some months ago, though.

No need for any height reduction unless it's a financial decision IMO.

:cheers:
Ray.

At 2000 feet and with a square design I'm pretty sure that the lower levels and the below grade area around the circle part will indeed be helping and necessary to support this tower. Not in weight but in sturdiness against wind and such.

^^ OK - as long as your pretty sure ...

Yup :) I'm also looking at the renders on the first page. I'm pretty sure.

^^
They have to get those huge stupid banners off the Excellence Century Towers in the backround.

That's ubiquitous in China, it's just office space advertising. But don't worry, it comes down when the property officially opens.

At 2000 feet and with a square design I'm pretty sure that the lower levels and the below grade area around the circle part will indeed be helping and necessary to support this tower. Not in weight but in sturdiness against wind and such.

If that is the case, they would've been better to fill the whole area in with concrete.........or just leave it as hard packed earth in the first place.

why are you guys being such assholes. It's just what it is. Jeez.
:chill: