Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT), Ahmedabad, India

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The Indian Skyscraper Race is ON.

This last year has been big for Indian architecture and development fans. A total of 7 megaprojects with supertall towers have been either approved or beginning construction (sadly, only a handful of them with renderings released), each of them vying to grab the coveted title of "India's Tallest Building."

But this latest project, located at Gandhinagar, the capital city of the über-industrial Indian state of Gujarat, and nearby the state's commercial capital of Ahmedabad, its a home-run hit deep to left field (or maybe I should try to speak in cricket terms... a deep sixer(??)) Why? Although it may not necessarily win the title of India's tallest building (not for long anyway), the project certainly has all the megaprojects made public beat in terms of sheer massing and scale.


http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/4638/13ho5.jpg (http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/7798/38067741ag0.jpg)

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^ Views of the CBD and skyline

Boasting 17 high rise commercial buildings -- the tallest being the signature 80-storey, 400m "Diamond Tower" -- as well as an artificial island, integrated mass transit and dedicated expressways, residential townships, and dedicated power supply, the 500 acre GIFT aims to be Global Financial Services hub. The project, is being developed by the Gujarat Finance City Development Company Ltd, a 50:50 joint venture between the Gujarat government and Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services Ltd (IL&FS) as a Public-Private partnership, will employ 400,000 people and house 50,000 residents.


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^ Perspective and View of the GIFT skyline

Arguably India's most economically proactive and reform-minded state, Gujarat's second-tier metropolises have chafed under the shadow of nearby Maharashtra state's (and India's) financial capital of Mumbai. It is this rivalry that has triggered the rapid industrialization of the state and the vision and drive to try to directly compete with India's biggest city (though with a population of 5.7 million, the Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar urban agglomeration is no slouch either.)

http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/7632/07jp2.jpg

The Gujarat International Finance Tec-City, well placed between the political and commercial capitals of Gujarat, was conceived as the beginning of that competition. Designed to kick Mumbai in the FDI balls, GIFT is developed as India's first major supertall CBD project that is designed to be the focal point of India's booming financial services market -- in direct competition with Mumbai -- by providing companies with all those things Mumbai is still developing: comprehensive infrastructure, power, verticalized office space, and a well designed, planned and expandable urban form. Its strong proximity and infrastructure connectivity with Mumbai ensures that mutually beneficial development occurs between the two metros.

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The project is being planned to be at or above par with presently acknowledged globally benchmarked financial centers such as Shinjuku (Tokyo), Lujiazui (Shanghai), La Defense (Paris) and Dockyards (London). Size-wise too, at over 75 million sq. feet of office space, it is almost twice as massive as in Shinjuku, Luijiazui, La Defense and Dockyards combined! However, with India's financial sector employing 10 million people by 2020, it hardly puts a dent in the 800 million sq feet of office space needed for this industry alone... implies what big things are in store for Indian commercial development in the near future!


http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/8539/04rw5jq5.jpg
^ View of the Diamond Tower

Inspired by the boom cities of China, the city is being masterplanned by East China Architectural Design & Research Institute (ECADI), which is responsible for planning much of Shanghai, and Fairwood Consultants India, one of India's largest and fastest growing consulting firms. According to Mr Yao Wen Lin (http://www.chineseinindia.com/companies/ecadi.html), board chairman of ECADI, Gujarat International Finance Tec-City will be designed "to a standard that would be superior to one in Shanghai, China".


http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/5994/03ov2ql3.jpg
^ Riverfront recreational and greenspace development

GIFT is designed as an extremely environmentally friendly development that will have the lowest per capita energy consumption of any Indian metro. The project itself will boast an impressive green area covering 65% of the total land, in large part due to the number of skyscrapers. In addition, the area long the Sabarmati River's banks will be developed into a riverfront recreational area, complementing the riverfront developments planned for Ahmedabad. The project will also boast a museum, large conference center and gardens on the man made Fortune Island, where Diamond Tower is located. In addition to expressway linkages, GIFT will also boast underground arterial road, as well as MRTS/LRTS/BRTS connections and abundant parking.

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Phase 1 of the project, which will begin construction in March, 2008 and to be completed by 2010, will consist of the 400m Diamond Tower and the core CBD of GIFT, comprising a total of 25.8 million sq ft. Already, 15 million sq ft. of the floorspace of this first phase has already been secured by a host of national and international companies, with MOUs for the other 10 million in the works. Two more phases will then be rolled out for an eventual 2017 completion date.


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Exciting times for the Indian architecture enthusiast indeed! :cheers:

Cheers,
Jai


Thanks to SSC India members Indiansunite and Euromast for the help in compiling all the information!

Excellent work Jai!

One more to the list!

:eek:, wow.....unbelievable what's going on with the supertalls on earth atm!!!

It looks very good, but isnt Gujarat seismically dangerous area?

Yeah there was a big earthquake in Jan 2001, 7.9 on richter scale, over 12,000 died, one of the worst in India in recent history.

Personally I think Ahmedabad is one of the worst cities in India, but Gujurat was an amazing state, very unique, it felt quite wild and at the edge of wilderness with the Rann of Kutch salt marsh and desert landscape

India is finally in the competition. Keep it coming!!! :D

The Diamond Tower has an amazing shape!I hope it gets built.

It's always a bit bewildering to see plans for supertalls in cities you never heard of.

But it's an ambitious plan with a interesting looking tower!

Definitely one of the best Indian skyscraper proposals. So far many of their proposals looked either horrible designwise or were placed in suburban, car dependent surroundings.
Those towers on the other hand have a nice deisgn, the entire district has a high density and they focus on public transport...looks like India is finally on the right way.

WoW, what an incredible project for India!! Nice to see it!!

The Indian Skyscraper Race is ON.

That's exactly what I thought when I saw this thread title.

AMAZING!

It's always a bit bewildering to see plans for supertalls in cities you never heard of.

But it's an ambitious plan with a interesting looking tower!

You will be more bewildered once more and more cities from developing countries will take part of this especially in Asia and Eastern Europe / Russia. :D

Looks good, but not great

I'm not liking these super projects that build several buildings at a time, looks too organized...

Seeing towers like these built in places I've never heard of (no offense to those from India), makes me think that Earth is turning into Coruscant. Cool......

It's always a bit bewildering to see plans for supertalls in cities you never heard of.



Fifteen years back, nobody had heard of Dubai.

Its good to see the development of an organised skyline (and an awesome one at that!) in Ahmedabad / Gandhinagar!

WOW :okay:

It looks very good, but isnt Gujarat seismically dangerous area?

that goes for all of India.

nice one!:cheers:

Wow, I like the 'Cuts' made to the Diamond Tower, really Unique.

Now I shall add India to my list of countries to visit.

Powerful!

Here's an image of the Museum and Convention center on Fortune Island, with one of the twin towers on the right side of the image, taken from a PDF of a scan of a pamphlet advertising job openings in GIFT:
http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/5547/14el0.jpg

Hopefully, as the project progresses, more renderings will come out

truly amazing work, jai. I live in surat so I am happy that my state is getting 3 supertalls.

^^^. Plz go to the site and take fotos whatz happening on the ground, when u have time.

amazing project
do you have any picture of the current status of the area?

I would love to take pictures for you but I am in america now, I will be back in late december, so I will go to the site

okie. Good. all the best!!

i just talked to my cousin who lives in ahmedabad, he says he saw alot of construction activity near the river. He says at least a 1000 men but i thinks hes exaggerating.

Very interesting project.

i just talked to my cousin who lives in ahmedabad, he says he saw alot of construction activity near the river. He says at least a 1000 men but i thinks hes exaggerating.

He was probably talking about the Sabarmati riverfront development project. The site of this project is a little north of Ahmedabad.

The next major step towards construction of the GIFT has been passed! After winning state and local approval, federal approval and clearances and SEZ status of the project has finally been given!

Even cooler, already 40 million sq ft of this project has been booked. To put it in other terms, that's nearly the entire first two phases of construction. As the GIFTCL chairman puts it, over half the investment into GIFT is "in the bag" even before the project even breaks ground.

The 400m Diamond Tower and the 310m Twin towers, among other 200+ towers, are all going up in the first phase, so that means bookings for Diamond Tower and the others, as was reported earlier, are indeed completely full and construction is a certainty! Construction for this first phase will commence after the monsoons later this year and will be done in less than three years.


Props to Indiansunite for posting the articles

-Jai

Gujarat's GIFT zips into SEZ street (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Ahmedabad/Gujarats_GIFT_zips_into_SEZ_street/articleshow/2694106.cms)
12 Jan 2008, 0246 hrs IST,TNN

GANDHINAGAR: Ahmedabad’s aggressive claim as a global financial hub, streets ahead of Mumbai and rivalled only by the best in the world like Manhattan, Shanghai, London and Singapore, got a sizzling punch with the Centre finally clearing a special economic zone (SEZ) status for the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT).

The clearance paves the way for developing 250 acres out of the total 500-acre GIFT project as an SEZ with a possible International Finance Service Centre status that would make it one of its kind project in the country.

The project will of course add a sizzling global touch to Ahmedabad’s skyline with its glitzy skyscrapers, including a 400-metre tall diamond faceted steel and glass Diamond Tower. After all, it is being designed by the Shanghai-based East China Architectural Design & Research Institute Co Ltd that has designed Shanghai’s Pearl Tower.

More importantly, GIFT will alter the contours of India’s financial skyline as well by setting towering global benchmarks in investments, exports and job creation. The multi-services SEZ, which is slated to bring in investments of over Rs 15,000 crore, is targeting exports worth $1 billion in the first three years beginning 2010, when the first phase of the project will become operational.

Exports are slated to zoom to $2 billion per annum by the fifth year and to $3 billion by 2020. These figures could shoot through the roof if the project bags an IFSC status. On the job front, GIFT is targeting nearly 1 million jobs by 2020, including a direct employment of 4 lakh.

The project that promises to catapult Ahmedabad into the global big league is being developed by the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City Company Ltd, a joint venture between the state-run Gujarat Urban Development Company (GUDC) and Infrastructure Lease and Financial Services (IL&FS).

And apart from the IFSC, the SEZ portion of GIFT will house an international techno park, STPI technology units, international market zone, stock exchanges and services units, international education zone, integrated townships, entertainment zone, hotels and convention centre and shopping malls.

And so excited has the project got global and domestic finance biggies as well as realtors that even before it has got off the ground, 13 memoranda of understanding have already been inked with nearly 40 million sq ft space being booked.



SEZzling GIFT: India’s next global fin hub
source: Times of India Epaper, Ahmedabad, 12 Jan, 2007

Gandhinagar: In the new year its finally time for Gujarat to uncork the bubbly. For come 2010, it won’t be Mumbai, but finance savvy Gujarat that will house India’s most world class International Finance Services Centre.

All thanks to the upcoming Gujarat International Finance Tec-City project that has now bagged an SEZ status. The project, designed to compete with Mumbai and woo global and domestic financial services players along with the IT/ITES sector to Gujarat’s shores, is slated to see the first phase being completed in Gujarat’s golden jubilee year 2010.

To be located at Shahpur village between Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar, abutting National Highway No 8A on the banks of the river Sabarmati, GIFT is proposed to be spread over 500 acres, offering a total built space of 75 million sq feet.

While the crown jewel will be the 400 metre tall diamond tower, GIFT will have a total of 11 buildings of over 150 metres tall and a total of 319 high-rise buildings.

Sniffing a global opportunity coming their way at nearly throwaway realty prices as compared to next door neighbour Mumbai, Indian finance giants like Kotak Mahindra have already signed up space for its financial services hub at GIFT.

Speaking to TOI after a high level presentation made to chief minister Narendra Modi on Friday, GIFTCL chairman Sudhir Mankad, said of the 75 million square feet of built-up area that GIFT proposes to set up, investment for nearly 40 million sq ft has already been lined up.

“Of the Rs 30,000 crore worth of investment expected in GIFT, more than half is in the bag,” an elated Mankad said. As the SEZ approval letter, not made public due to the recent polls, has just come in, he was unsure about which investors, who have signed up, would like to switch over to SEZ area.

“We expect external road connectivity leading up to GIFT to be provided within the next two months with work already in progress. Work on internal infrastructure like roads, drainage, drinking water, horticulture, parking facilities will begin in June. We expect private developers to start construction soon after monsoon after they get the requisite,” said Mankad.

While 60 per cent of GIFT will have office space for financial services, rest of it might go for knowledge-based industry, cultural and educational activities. The residential complex will cover around 12 per cent of the built-up space, where housing blocks, including independent bungalows and flats, will be built for about 50,000 people.
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oops! Keep forgetting to post updates....

Firstly, the start date of the project has now been made official! :)

Gujarat launching Tec-City in June (http://news.in.msn.com/business/article.aspx?cp-documentid=1245423)
Ahmedabad: Work on building the first phase of the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT), a global financial hub, is expected to start in June, official sources said.

Officials here believe that the conferment of Special Economic Zone (SEZ) status is the first key step taken to build a central business district that could eventually rival globally recognised financial centres like Tokyo, Shanghai, Paris and London.

The project, with which Chief Minister Narendra Modi hopes to excel the much talked about international financial hub at Mumbai, is to be built on a sprawling 500-acre campus, about 40 km from Ahmedabad.

The SEZ will house an international education zone, integrated townships, an entertainment zone, hotels and a convention centre besides an international techno park, Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) units, shopping malls, stock exchanges and services units.

With the union government's clearance, the SEZ would now be developed over 250 acres and a Domestic Tariff Area (DTA) would be constructed on the rest of the land.

The DTA would function as a domestic financial district with a separate technology park, finance and tech services, an export-oriented undertakings park, a domestic market zone and domestic utilities.

The project would have more than 80 million square feet of built-up area in a highly concentrated and vertical form.

The city would function as an integrated city-centre with extensive residential, commercial and public spaces. To be developed along the Sabarmati River, GIFT would have advanced facilities like inner-city light rail transit systems (LRTS), dedicated and guaranteed power and water facilities and central cooling services.

The first phase of the project, covering 25 million square feet, is scheduled to be operational by mid-2010.

In all, GIFT is expected to have a cluster of 17 high-rise commercial buildings, with the tallest being the signature 80-storey, 400-metre Diamond Tower.

The concept of GIFT was born during the Vibrant Gujarat Summit of 2007 and is being planned by East China Architectural Design & Research Institute (ECADI), which is responsible for planning much of Shanghai, and Fairwood Consultants India, one of the country's largest consulting firms.
Yao Wen Lin, ECADI board chairman, has been quoted as saying that GIFT's design would excel Shanghai.

Pre-construction activities like road building in the neighbourhood of the project site have started. Already, 15 million square feet of the floor space of the first phase has been secured by a host of national and international companies.

The project is being implemented by the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City Co Ltd, a joint venture between the state-run Gujarat Urban Development Co (GUDC) and Infrastructure Lease and Financial Services (IL&FS).

GIFT is expected to change India's financial skyline creating new benchmarks in investments, exports and job creation. The multi-service SEZ, which is expected to attract Rs.150 billion ($3.8 billion) in investments, is targeting exports worth $1 billion in the first three years beginning 2010, when the first phase of the project will become operational.

Current projections estimate that exports will double to $2 billion by 2015 and to $3 billion by 2020. A total job creation of one million is estimated by 2020.

As of now, five types of businesses have been contemplated - a global BPO centre, operations hub for domestic financial services providing mid-office and back-office related activities, a global IT hub for financial services, a global research and development centre for emerging sectors like pharmaceuticals and a financial centre for selected product markets.

Source: Indo-Asian News Service

Some more information on the infrastructure development paralleling this project

Come 2009, all roads will lead to GIFT
The state govt has decided to invest Rs 400 cr in building three dedicated approaches across the Sabarmati river — an underground tunnel flanked by two four lane bridges — connecting GIFT to Ahmedabad

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Come 2009, all roads will lead to the glitzy, ambitious Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT) being set up by the Gujarat government jointly with IL&FS at Shahpur village.

In a bid to provide a fast track access to the proposed international financial hub coming up on 500-acres near Gandhinagar, the Gujarat government has decided to invest Rs 400 crore in building three dedicated approaches across the Sabarmati river — an underground tunnel flanked by two four-lane bridges — connecting GIFT to Ahmedabad.

While the underground tunnel will lead directly to the towering 400-metre tall Diamond Tower, GIFT’s diamond faceted steel and glass signature building will tower over 17 other skyscrapers in the project, the two bridges will directly lead to the right and left-hand side main entrances of the GIFT campus.

International consultants have already been appointed for preparing a feasibility study of the project. “The work has been undertaken by Shanghai based Consortium of East China Architectural Design Institute (ECADI) and Fairwood India at the cost of Rs 25 lakh. Work on the dedicated approaches is expected to start in 2009,” a senior urban development department official said.

While the exact location of the underground tunnel and the two bridges will be made known after a complete hydrological study of the river, officials said, all the three dedicated approaches will be situated in the vicinity of Raysan and Koba off Gandhinagar and will be connecting the just broadened six-lane highway leading to the Ahmedabad airport.

GIFT chairman and former Gujarat chief secretary Sudhir Mankad told TOI that the three dedicated approaches will be needed to solve the huge traffic from two sides of Ahmedabad — Sabarmati and Sarkhej — and from Gandhinagar that will move towards the modern finance city.

“We estimate that GIFT will initially employ two lakh people,” he said, adding, “We are looking into the possibility of enhancing the Bus Rapid Transport System (BRTS) to GIFT in future.” Other forms of transport, too, are being contemplated, as the total employment in GIFT is estimated to hit 4 lakh in a decade’s time.

A public-private partnership project between the Gujarat Urban Development Company (GUDC) and the Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services Ltd (IL&FS), the $16.33 billion project comprises two parts – a 250 acre special economic zone (SEZ) and a 250-acre domestic tariff area.

According to sources, other roads, particularly the one coming from Himmatnagar in the north and connecting the Ahmedabad airport in the south, will also be broadened from a two-lane to a four-lane road.

Plans are also afoot to reconstruct the Shahpur bridge, which gave way during floods, to provide immediate connectivity from Gandhinagar to GIFT.

From Times of India, Ahmedabad edition, 5 Feb 08

Here is a video presentation released last year about the first phase of this project:
x_UeoTpygR4

Aimed at investors for the 1st phase of the project when they opened the doors to booking (1st phase is now sold out and most of the second phase :)), it's a nice overview of the project, though a because its about a year old, is quite a bit dated as it was released before the complete project design was completed -- most notably the lack of the Diamond Tower (which will also be constructed in the first phase) and detailed renderings of the other phases of construction.

've included some screencaptures below, including renderings of the 1st phase of the highrise waterfront, waterfront gate, canal, convention and rec center, IT offices, residential and mass infrastructure. Note that they are in many cases preliminary renderings, devoid of the detail we see in later-released images. Also absent, as I mentioned, is the signature Diamond Tower (400m) and the two twin towers (350m each), which will also be constructed in the first phase:

http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/4652/01up8.jpg http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/7056/02aa9.jpg

http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/3706/03bu9.jpg http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/3569/04xn0.jpg

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http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/6221/19abj0.jpg http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/8885/20cq2.jpg

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http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/2664/23ye0.jpg http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/5671/24pg6.jpg

http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/7803/25py3.jpg http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/8822/26qn0.jpg


That's all for now :)

Cheers,
Jai

Oh yeah! One more update :)

According to this article in Times of India, Ahmedabad edition, 5 Feb 08, the twin towers are not going to be 310m but 350 meters in height!:

http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/8172/giftarticlefeb16lc8.th.jpg (http://img249.imageshack.us/my.php?image=giftarticlefeb16lc8.jpg)

GIFT will have a total 34 million sq ft of built-up area in high rise buildings with 25 out of the total 319 buildings that will come up there to be over 150 metres in height and 52 highrise buildings above 100 metres, Srinivas said. This includes the signature steel and glass Diamond Tower that will tower at 400 metres and the two flanking gateway towers of around 350 metres.


Could a moderator do the honors to the thread title? :)

-Jai

thx jai i've been wondering what ever happened to this project if it was cancelled or approved but this project itself is massive and looking forward to construction

Check this out! Due to the success of GIFT, planning for a 'GIFT II', a 500 acre CBD as big as the first, is underway!

Also, for all those detractors out there, seems that the entire friggin project -- all phases -- will be sold out even before the first phase is completed! Talk about pent up demand....

Positive response to GIFT city sows seeds for GIFT II (http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/business/positive-response-to-gift-city-sows-seeds-for-gift-ii_10027559.html)
March 15th, 2008 - 12:59 am ICT by admin - Email This Post Email This Post

By P.S. Anantharaman

Ahmedabad, March 14 (IANS) Encouraged by the positive response its $6 billion (Rs.240 billion) high-tech city project received from various quarters, Gujarat International Finance Tech-city (GIFT) company is now planning to construct another global city in the state. “It seems the entire 25 million sq feet of the built-up area of the GIFT city will be signed up before the completion of the first phase in 2010. The total built-up area of the project is pegged at 75 million sq feet,” company chairman Sudhir Mankad told IANS.

According to Mankad, GIFT II, which would come up on 500 acres of land, would be as big as the first one.

The GIFT city, which is being built according to global standards, is coming up between Naroda in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar, 12 km from the Ahmedabad international airport.

Companies like State Bank of India (SBI), Kotak Mahindra Ltd, Punj Lloyd Ltd and also a number of overseas firms have booked space in the upcoming city. The total space booked exceeds 40 million sq feet, he said.

Mankad said many global mutual and pension fund companies have shown interest in setting up their shops in GIFT city. A bourse in Chicago in the US could be another participant.

According to Mankad, the marketing strategy of GIFT has three key elements. First, it will provide a base in the state for investors. Second, it seeks to make Gujarat a destination for financial tourism and a base to export financial services to non-resident Indias (NRI) and overseas clients/institutions. Finally, it will focus on technology infrastructure for financial markets and technology services providers.

GIFT would be equipped with an efficient transportation system besides possessing a fully integrated technology centre. As a financial hub, the city will target international financial services, which include offshore banking units, international financial services firms and back office processing centres.

A 12 km dedicated expressway to the international airport is being built as part of the project.

In the domestic segment, the city plans to work in tandem with financial institutions, capital and commodity market players, investor organisations and associates and regulatory bodies.

D.S. Anjaria, one of the directors of the GIFT, said out of the total 500 acres of land, 250 acres will be allotted to a multi-services special economic zones (SEZs) for which the centre has accorded approval.

Multi-services SEZs would comprise processing and non-processing areas.

GIFT could become a centralised hub for mid and back office related activities for domestic financial services company, said Anjaria.

Gujarat’s Finance Minister Vajubhai Vala, presenting the state budget, said when GIFT city becomes operational, it would provide direct employment to half a million professionals and indirect employment to an equal number in allied support services.

holy jeezus, Gujarat is gonna leapfrog Maha and some day a Gujarati city will beat Mumbai

By the way, here are some more renderings from their website I overlooked before:

Here is a perspective of the skyline, with the twin Gateway Towers and part of the Diamond Tower visible:
http://img119.imageshack.us/img119/9983/01cq2.jpg

I did my best to clear it up. You can tell the facades of the other buildings will definitely be interesting:
http://img119.imageshack.us/img119/1332/02lx5.jpg


A poster showcasing the Diamond Tower:
http://img119.imageshack.us/img119/7426/03vu2.jpg

Again, I tried to clear it up. Gives a better view on the unique cut-out design:
http://img119.imageshack.us/img119/28/04rw5.jpg


A couple new and better renderings of some of the landmark buildings of the project:
http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/9884/01ce0.jpg

http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/3913/04ki4.jpg

http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/1954/05nc7.jpg

http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/76/02ki2.jpg

http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/8466/03sh9.jpg

http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/3491/06pe1.jpg


And finally some handy-dandy project timetables:
http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/3649/07ws8.jpg

http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/5500/08nq5.jpg

http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/8678/09vi1.jpg


Cheers,
Jai

love the design of the Diamond Tower :drool:

so this is a government fostered project or a purely private enterprise?

It's all on the first page -- a public-private partnership

It's amazing how some of these cities are practically building new cities in one bang with huge projects like these. There are some amazing designs in this project and the centerpiece is just that.

Sweet monkey jesus!

Looks like Gujarat is gonna be a *completely* different place compared to when I stayed there for a year while I was a kid. I'll definitely be visiting this place at some point.

Question: how good is the State at enforcing environmentally friendly development and planning? I hope they try and construct this mega-project without disturbing the natural balance of the surrounding areas too much.

Here's hoping. Some of the best memories I ever have are from wandering around the grasslands and forests of sub-urban Gujarati cities [and villages!].

yes im gujarati and what you should know is that we are good with money and have had a great record of development. I live in surat and we have the longest flyover here in all of india. It was completed on time also. Hail Narendra Modi

by far the best project being proposed/approved in india can't wait to see construction begin and yeah what a nice diamond tower and an icon of the city

Oops, I haven't been keeping this thread up to date with news and developments

Firstly, this article states the Diamond tower will be 410m tall. Also reiterates the fact that the buildings have already been approved, and again gives the 2009 date.

New collective investment scheme awaits SEBI nod (http://sify.com/finance/fullstory.php?id=14639709)
Tuesday, 08 April , 2008, 08:28


Mumbai: Gujarat International Finance Tec city (GIFT) is planning to raise the equivalent of $ 2 billion (Rs 8,000 crore) through a ‘Collective Investment Scheme’, a fund-raising route little used since the ‘nineties.

(For Indian investors the collective investment scheme (CIS) would bring to mind the infamous ‘Own Your Goat’, ‘Own Your Teak Tree’ or ‘Golden Forest’ offers which promised outrageously high returns to investors over a ridiculously short period of time. Most of these schemes went under, burying the investors’ wealth forever).

GIFT, a joint venture of Gujarat Urban Development Company and IL&FS, has informally sounded out the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on its CIS plan, said Ravi Parthasarathy, Executive Chairman, IL&FS. The regulator has now asked GIFT to file a formal request, he said.

A pre-CIS placement of $ 500 million, which will constitute the “cornerstone investment,” is also part of the plan.

After the goat and teak fiascos, SEBI was compelled to bring this investment animal under its wing.

The CIS was never banned; but it was brought under regulation in 1999. A CIS is an arrangement by which payments from investors are pooled together and utilised with a view to receiving profits, income, produce or property, says the SEBI Web site. Investors do not have day-to-day control over the management of such a scheme.

In the case of GIFT, some of the investors would receive property development rights. The CIS will sell two kinds of units -- Units A will relate to commercial projects that are viable; while units B will relate to commercially unviable projects (such as greening, landscaping) but give its holders property development rights, said Hari Sankaran, Managing Director, IL&FS.

“There is an economic rationale for this,” said Parthasarathy. “Wherever we put infrastructure, land prices go up, not just at a CAGR of 30-40 or 50 per cent, but three and four times.”

“Subscribers can even get to choose the buildings they want to develop,” he said. A trust formed by IL&FS and the Gujarat government will manage the CIS.

Financial services zone

GIFT is developing a 500-acre core world-class financial services zone at a cost of $ 16 billion. This core area will itself be part of a 27,000 acre city-township area located between Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar.

There will be 40 different projects within the 500-acre zone. GIFT itself would develop most of the basic common infrastructure.

According to Sankaran the Indian financial services sector will require 1 billion sq. ft of office space in 20 years’ time. GIFT which is being designed for workforce of 3 million has been benchmarked to international standards, he said.

This city would have the tallest buildings in the country, the tallest at 410 metres, with over 30 buildings over 250 metres in height. These buildings have been approved by the State Government already. By mid-2009, the buildings would come up, he said.

This article shows how crazy fast this project has attracted investors. Apparently they're all but sold out -- even before it begins construction!

From Times of India (21 Apr):
Gandhinagar: Less than a year after it was first unveiled in June 2007, the glitzy Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT) is more than sold out. That is, if all the MOUs inked actually fructify into concrete committments.

http://img383.imageshack.us/img383/543/gift1mt1.jpg

Gujarat’s Rs 63,700 crore GIFT, that’s being designed to give Mumbai a run for its money as India’s financial hub, is “overbooked” with 78 million square feet space being lapped up as against the 75 m sq ft space on offer at the 500-acre international finance hub. Incidentally, only two bookings for a total of 8.5 million sq ft are committed out of the total 24 bookings. What’s more, proposals are still pouring in. “We are getting one proposal daily though we are all sold out,” said a senior official.

GIFT chairman Sudhir Mankad told TOI, “We are on the fast track. The concept design will be ready by May-end after which we will start the process of implementing the project on the ground by appointing agencies to build basic infrastructure.” According to officials, international and domestic players including financial biggies as well as realty giants have booked space at GIFT.

GIFT is being set up by GIFTCL (Gujarat International Finance Tec-City Company Ltd), a 50:50 JV between the Gujarat government and International Leasing & Financial Services Ltd.A list of the companies that have booked space:
http://img368.imageshack.us/img368/9927/pc0041000az0.jpg

-------==--=--==-------


And from another article about the June IPO
“GIFTCL has decided to apply to Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) by June-end to raise money through the capital markets to part-fund the Rs 12,000 crore investment that would go into setting up basic infrastructure for the project,” a senior state official told TOI.
....
..
Well-placed Sachivalaya sources told TOI that as soon as the basic design of GIFT is ready by May-end, GIFTCL would firm up its IPO plans. When contacted, GIFT chairman Sudhir Mankad confirmed plans for an IPO, but said “details of the plan would be clearer only a month from now”.
...
..
According to officials, the decision to go public has been taken because there has been an “overwhelming response” from top realtors, finance biggies and IT entrepreneurs to GIFT that plans to give Mumbai a run for its money.

Full article (TOI 22 Apr):
http://img371.imageshack.us/img371/105/gift2xx0.th.jpg (http://img371.imageshack.us/my.php?image=gift2xx0.jpg)


Thanks to forumer Indiansunite for the articles

Someone left this comment (http://indianskyscraperblog.wordpress.com/2007/12/09/gandhinagar-gujarat-international-finance-tec-city-gift-400m-80-fl-310m-x-2-200m-x-10-app/#comment-2197) in my blog. Take it fwiw:
I just returned from Gandhinagar yesterday. I went to the GIFT city site in hte village of Shahpur. The adjoining villages of Vallaj, Ferozepur, have all seen an exponential increase in the value of real estate. The development of the GIFT has started. Initial digging has resumed and the Diamond tower height has been reduced to being 82 storeys on account of the soil conditions.

The entire GIFT project is on wasteland between hte Shahpur and Ferozepur villages. Not one farm has been acquirede for the project. This is the amazing thing. This is the reason why you do not hear any complaints from the adjoining villagers. The price of the land adjoining the project is now between 50 lacs a bigha to 1 crore a bigha( itr was 5 lacs a bigha in September 2007).

The problem that i see is that the farmers are finding it difficult to adjust to this new found wealth. Fianace advice to these people with counselling would help.

Also, apparently there is apparently a model of the city on display somewhere:
http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/9493/01hk7.jpg

That's amazing news! :D I love this project. Really huge, and the design of the Diamond Tower.. :drool:

Some major news!

Firstly, the size of GIFT has grown 20%! From 75 to 90 million sq ft of built up area!

Secondly, due to the overwhelming demand (its already close to if not completely sold out), the entire project is going up all at once, not in phases!

And lastly, it seems Diamond Tower has grown even taller -- to 100 stories! Assuming the ratio stays the same as the old design (400m:80fl), the building would presumably be 500 meters/1,640 feet tall!

http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/1287/02jq2.jpg



Gujarat banks on mega projects to lure global investors (http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/business/gujarat-banks-on-mega-projects-to-lure-global-investors_10064049.html)
Ahmedabad, June 24 (IANS): At the Vibrant Gujarat global investors summit in January next year, the Gujarat government’s accent will be on marketing the $90-billion Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) and the $6-billion Gujarat International Finance Tech-City (GIFT) projects. Officials told IANS Tuesday that besides these two mega projects, the state government will also focus on attracting investments in identified sunrise sectors such as biotechnology and nanotechnology.

The DMIC project, planned on the lines of the famous Tokyo-Osaka industrial corridor, covers Delhi and the National Capital Region around it, as well as the states of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra.

But the maximum area of the project passes through Gujarat - about 40 percent.

The officials said thanks to the DMIC project, Gujarat could have a dedicated petroleum, chemicals and petrochemicals hub in the Bharuch-Dahej area, in addition to another in the Ahmedabad-Dholera stretch.

Besides, it could also build four industrial regions along the corridor.

The DMIC and the special economic zones that have been proposed along the corridor will cover 18 districts and an estimated 75 percent of the population. Gujarat hopes to attract an investment of Rs.2000 billion, estimated to generate 800,000 direct and indirect jobs.

The four industrial regions proposed are the Palanpur-Siddhpur-Mehsana sector in north Gujarat, the Vadodara-Bharuch stretch in central Gujarat, and the Surat-Navsari and Valsad-Umargaon zones in south Gujarat.

Dairy farming, textile mills, salt, ginning and value-added agri product sectors would benefit in north Gujarat, while in central Gujarat, it would be auto components, automobiles, electronics, chemicals, cement and pharmaceuticals.

In south Gujarat, the biotech, ceramic and engineering sectors would reap benefits.

The GIFT on the other hand, according to project chief executive officer D.S. Anjaria, could emerge as the world’s largest international finance centre, sprawled over 500 acres on the banks of the Sabarmati river near Gandhinagar.

The first phase of the project is planned to be operational by 2010, and Anjaria said memoranda of understanding (MoU) have already been signed with realtors to develop 90 million square metres, against the planned 75 million square metres.

“We are planning to develop the project at one time, instead of in phases,” he said. A 100-storey skyscraper - the tallest in India - surrounded by model townships, techno-parks, financial districts, and export-oriented unit parks would be developed.

The special economic zone (SEZ) proposed within the GIFT will have a financial centre, techno -parks, software parks, market zones, money exchanges, service units and education zones.

Anjaria said five Indian banks have already confirmed their location at GIFT, while two foreign banks have shown interest. “Stock markets and commodities markets are expected to come up in the SEZ,” he added.

Anjaria, who is a former chief secretary of Gujarat, said the Vibrant Gujarat summit is the “ripe time to market the project and clinch deals as we will have done much spadework on the project by that time.”

At the 2007 edition of the summit, the state attracted investment proposals worth Rs.4,628.35 billion.

One thing to note, the reporter got mixed up. It's not 90 million sq meters, but sq feet.

Finally, our first on site pics:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=22069965&postcount=116

http://www.ecadi.com/en/news_d.php?id=337

ECADI Attended Davos Economic Forum in Dalian-Discussing Strategical Cooperation with Gujarat, India 2007-09-30
Davos annual meeting is referred to as the unofficial economics summit meeting by western media with its biggest feature to emphasize particularly on strategically thinking service for entrepreneurs to develop their business. From 6 September 2007 to 8 September 2007, the summer Davos Economic Forum- Annual Meeting of the New Champions was held in Dalian, China.

Gujarat is one of the fastest growing economic zones in the world. It has attracted much foreign investment, representing nearly 25% of that attracted by India. Therefore, India's Gujarat was invited to attend this meeting, and a promotion conference of Gujarat was also held. As a member of the joint design group for Gujarat International Finance Town Project which plays a crucial role in helping improve investment environment and attract foreign funds, ECADI was invited by the owner of the Project to attend the conference. On behalf of ECADI, Mr. Yao Wenlin, attended the conference and discussed in-depth strategic cooperation between ECADI and Gujarat with the other guests, including Governor of Gujarat.

During the meeting, Governor of Gujarat spoke very highly of the plan by our Company for Gujarat International Finance Town Project, and hoped our Company to continue to bring ideas from our valuable experiences in China for the design of this project. The Governor also encouraged ECADI to play an active role in turning this project into a worldwide advanced urban district. He also extended his intention that ECADI may serve more projects in the new town construction of India.

Meanwhile, President Yao Wenlin went on an in-depth discussion with President of IL&FS Company, which is one of the owners of this project and also one of the largest basic facilities development companies in India, on participation of our Company in IL&FS Company's various development projects. The bilateral communication involves issues of how to participate in the projects in Gujarat and how to cooperate strategically between both parties in fields such as project information exchange and human resources exchange.

Rs 4,000-cr GIFT set to be unwrapped by year end (http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Rs-4-000cr-GIFT-set-to-be-unwrapped-by-year-end/334986/)
BASHIR PATHAN

Posted online: Sunday , July 13, 2008 at 03:47:06
Updated: Sunday , July 13, 2008 at 03:47:06

Gandhinagar, July 12 Shanghai inspiration behind structural design of skyscrapers

With the East China Architectural Design and Research Institute (ECADI) busy giving final touches to the detailed structural designs for several skyscrapers to come up for the planned Gujarat International Finance Tec-city (GIFT) project, the work on the Rs 4,000 crore infrastructure component of the project is expected to begin by the year end.

"The laying of internal roads, underground cables and pipes, water supply, sewage, power supply system and so on will begin early this December," said a delegation member.

Recently, Gujarat Urban Development Company (GUDC) Managing Director Srinivas Katikithala went on a week-long visit to Shanghai to hold detailed discussions with a team of ECADI designers and architects on the subject. Srinivas was part of an 8-member delegation comprising consultants of the GIFT project who visited Shanghai early this week.

"During its recent visit to Gujarat, the ECADI team had presented concept designs for six skyscrapers envisaged for the ambitious GIFT project. We went to Shanghai to understand the concept designs, and after prolonged discussions with them, we endorsed the concept," said Srinivas.

"During our six-day stay in Shanghai, we also discussed this and other issues related to the master planning and development of the project with the ECADI team," said a delegation member.

A GUDC official told this paper that the ECADI team of designers will visit Gandhinagar sometime next month when detailed structural designs and other things related to the proposed highrises under the GIFT project will be finalised.

To be benchmarked as "a global finance hub", the Rs 50,000 crore GIFT project is a joint venture between the GUDC and Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services Limited (IL&FS) — a leading Mumbai-based infrastructure consultancy firm. It is envisaged to come up on 500 acres of land along the eastern banks of the Sabarmati on the outskirts of Gandhinagar.

A senior official associated with the project said: "One of the skyscrapers envisaged on the GIFT project premises will be more than 80 storeys high, while the rest will be just above 50-storeys. More than 50 such buildings are proposed for construction under the multi-crore state-of-the-art project."

An official said the China Government-owned ECADI is a reputed company credited with the design and construction of 80 per cent of the buildings in Shanghai.

The Gujarat team members also visited Seoul (South Korea) and attended a World Tall Buildings Conference there, he said. "The conference provided us a rare opportunity to interact with some leading world famous developers, designers, architects, planners and technocrats. We also get to know their views on the latest building technology trends in the world", he said. "On the sidelines of the world meet, we also had a chance to interact with the developers of the under-construction 200-storey "Burj Dubai" building — considered the tallest in the world," he added.
http://img384.imageshack.us/img384/8064/26062008001013so8.jpg

http://img384.imageshack.us/img384/8137/26062008002009jp5.jpg

Secondly, here are some more project design updates from a presentation (http://crgp.stanford.edu/events/presentations/India/GIFT.pdf) given by K.Srinivas, IAS., M.D., GUDC at Stanford University.

----==--==-----

SEZ breakdown:
http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/5958/06et7.jpg

Divided into...
Processing Areas (125 acre)
•International Financial Service Center (IFSC)
•International Techno Park
•STPI Units - Technology
•International Market Zone
•Exchanges, Service Units
•Inter. Education Zone

Non-Processing Areas (125 acre)
• Utilities
• Integrated Townships
• Entertainment zone
• Hotel/Convention Centre
• Shopping Malls
• Health Services
• Schooling

----==--==-----

A graphical breakdown of land use and built up area use in the project:
http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/7420/04fg3.jpg
http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/7639/05nj8.jpg

• Total road network to be strengthened in two phases:
• 2 new bridges and 1 river tunnel envisaged
• 7 grade separators planned

----==--==-----

And some transportation stuff...

1. The "living bridge" concept to maximize space use and minimize the negative impact of infrastructure on the city:
http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/48/07qb1.jpg

http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/286/08vq3.jpg


2. The extension of Ahmedabad's Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=364192) into GIFT (37km):
http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/1346/09qa3.jpg


3. The extension of Metro Rail System (MRTS) into GIFT:
http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/7928/10fi0.jpg
• Additional link of 25 km between GIFT, Airport, Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar
• Transport Demand Generated by GIFT between Ahmedabad & Gandhinagar
• 2.5 lakhs trips per day one way by Year 2010
• 5 lakhs trips per day one way by Year 2017

----==--==-----

GIFT provides landscaped zones and hierarchy of green space:
http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/129/11wd9.jpg

City level
• Central green
• Peripheral greens/Buffer greens
• Public greens
• Greenways

Neighborhood Level
• Public greens


-Jai

NEW RENDERS OF THE DIAMOND TOWER


http://www.gujintlfintecity.co.in/Pg01/05.jpg
http://gujintlfintecity.co.in/Pg02/02.jpg
http://gujintlfintecity.co.in/Pg02/06.jpg
http://gujintlfintecity.co.in/images/landmark_building.jpg

The website has also been updated like crazy with a new logo and banner and PRESENTATION (http://www.gujintlfintecity.co.in/doc/Project%20Information%20Memorandum.pdf) and they have even appointed a BOARD (http://www.gujintlfintecity.co.in/bords.htm) and have for the first time put something under the CAREER (http://www.gujintlfintecity.co.in/careers.htm)section. Looks like they even have a CONTACT US (http://www.gujintlfintecity.co.in/contact.htm) section (it used to be some fake gift@gmail.com address or something, but now it has phone numbers and names).

Click HERE (http://www.gujintlfintecity.co.in/doc/Project%20Information%20Memorandum.pdf) to see renderings of each and every building planned and a detailed plan for every square inch of the new city including transportation, utilities, bridges, roads, schools, hubs, malls, etc loaded with various pictures, diagrams, renders and maps

as much as the above poster has appalling forum ettiquette and manners his link is sound and not a virus as it may appear to be...

as much as the above poster has appalling forum ettiquette and manners his link is sound and not a virus as it may appear to be...
Thanks, i didn't click it specifically because i thought it might be a virus.

NEW RENDERS OF THE DIAMOND TOWER


http://www.gujintlfintecity.co.in/Pg01/05.jpg
http://gujintlfintecity.co.in/Pg02/02.jpg
http://gujintlfintecity.co.in/Pg02/06.jpg
http://gujintlfintecity.co.in/images/landmark_building.jpg

The website has also been updated like crazy with a new logo and banner and PRESENTATION (http://www.gujintlfintecity.co.in/doc/Project%20Information%20Memorandum.pdf) and they have even appointed a BOARD (http://www.gujintlfintecity.co.in/bords.htm) and have for the first time put something under the CAREER (http://www.gujintlfintecity.co.in/careers.htm)section. Looks like they even have a CONTACT US (http://www.gujintlfintecity.co.in/contact.htm) section (it used to be some fake gift@gmail.com address or something, but now it has phone numbers and names).

Some of the highrises are similar to the CCTV headquarter in Beijing and the new design of the Diamond Tower is outdated imo

i was very impressed by the first design this is a disapointment...^^

Awesome!

great developments in India! cool, awesome Diamond Tower

as much as the above poster has appalling forum ettiquette and manners his link is sound and not a virus as it may appear to be...

lol sorry

i was just excited because they released such a detailed plan for every inch of the project

Guys, something came up so I'll have to finish compiling all this info tomorrow. Till then, a taste of the new GIFT:

http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/7473/tempdr8.jpg

Yup. That's 50 stories tall, and just one of the many buildings coming up!

just a taste, from JAI (later he's gonna post a megapost with all the pics and stuff)

i know what you guys are gonna say about the CCTV tower, but mind you these were designed by a CHINESE company called ECADI

^^ has design cues from the cctv tower but this looks more complicated imo. great stuff!

Rem Kohlass and Ole Shereen are the designers of Beijing towers.

ECADI or East China Architecture and Design Institute who have designed much of modern
Shanghai have taken inspiration* from Rem and Ole's design.

*We call it inspiration when Bollywood copies from Hollywood or some non-bollywood source [including various other Indian film industries]

hehehehehe

Wow, great project! Easily one of the best mega projects on this site :cheers:

Ok, lemmie get this thread caught up to date... firstly, this article details the sheer scope of the upwards rescaling of the project, from TOI Print Edition 22 Jul, 2008. (I'm too lazy to dig up the e-paper link, maybe someone else can?)

GIFT goes for study on wind resistance of high-rises
Gandhinagar: The Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT), a joint venture between Infrastructure and Lease Finance Services (IL&FS) and Gujarat Urban Development Company (GUDC), is set to be an engineering miracle.

With proposals to have 312 tall buildings — the tallest being Diamond Tower with 87 floors; another 40 buildings with more than 50 floors and some more with 24 plus floors — GIFT will be hiring a top foreign consultant to ensure that the high rises withstand wind-induced motion.

A high-level GIFT team went for the Tall Buildings Conference in Seoul, South Korea, early this month and had discussions with officials from Cermak Peterka Peterson (CPP) Incorporation, US-based wind engineering consultants. CPP vice-president Dr Roy Denoon agreed to take up the work of what is called “wind tunnel analysis” for the buildings proposed to come up on the 1,000 acre GIFT campus, to be set up next to Gandhinagar on the banks of Sabarmati river.

The GIFT team at Seoul included GIFT consultant Fairwood Ecadi, Consortium representative Ranbir Das, planners Umesh Shrupali, Tarun Sharma and Prakash Gaur, and GIFT director K Srinivas. GIFT sources said while it is easy to have quake-proof buildings, tall buildings should also have the capacity to withstand higher wind velocity.

“Dr Denoon was fascinated that this is for the first time the CPP Inc might analyze one entire township, suggesting wind movement between several high-rises,” an official said.

The engineering jobs that might be accomplished are rounding up the sharp edges of the high-rises, making way for wind to pass through them, and putting up wind dampers at the top of the buildings, which absorb high velocity wind.


And how the overall look has changed after the redesign:

...before.. :(
http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/782/01oh9.jpg

http://img112.imageshack.us/img112/9290/13ho5ik3.jpg


...after! :cheers1:
http://img391.imageshack.us/img391/4117/image3bb3.jpg

http://gujintlfintecity.co.in/Pg02/02.jpg

And now for the new tower designs -- of which only half of the total have been finalized and released.

My apologies to all 56kers who wandered into this thread...

-----==--=--==-----

GIFT is uniquely divided into alphanumerically named "Packages", which represents one site/project and individual instance of public-private partnership, or just public development for parks or service buildings. At each of these packages, the city developers and/or private investors and architects reached consensus on what the design of the individual tower will be, keeping in mind individualism in design yet with an eye to keeping a harmonious whole.

Here is a location map of all the Packages:
http://img240.imageshack.us/img240/9869/packageshm4.jpg


-----==--=--==-----

Package A - School and Library: 17 floors

http://img240.imageshack.us/img240/3893/packageasmall1zn8.jpg

http://img240.imageshack.us/img240/2765/packageasmall2hj8.jpg

http://img240.imageshack.us/img240/5038/packagealarge3zr6.jpg


-----==--=--==-----

Package B - Retail and Residential: 1 x 30 floors, 1 x 25 floors

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/7254/packagebsmall1wj9.jpg

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/3249/packagebsmall2xp3.jpg


-----==--=--==-----

Package C - Gateway Towers: 2 x 70 floors/360m high; 1 x 45 floors

http://img240.imageshack.us/img240/958/packagecgatewaytowerssmvg7.jpg http://img240.imageshack.us/img240/1980/packagecgatewaytowerssmyh8.jpg

http://img240.imageshack.us/img240/412/packagecgatewaytowerssmfa4.jpg

http://img240.imageshack.us/img240/7084/packagecgatewaytowerssmlx9.jpg

http://img240.imageshack.us/img240/7169/packagecgatewaytowerssmmk1.jpg


-----==--=--==-----

Package D - Diamond Tower: 87 floors/400m

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/4319/packageddiamondtowersmaqn3.jpg

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/1616/packageddiamondtowersmajc4.jpg

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/4229/packageddiamondtowersmaip9.jpg

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/2291/packageddiamondtowersmabs8.jpg

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/2674/packageddiamondtowersmafe8.jpg


-----==--=--==-----

Package E - Retail, Commercial and Residential: 1x65 floors, 2x60 floors

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/404/packageesmall1gr7.jpg

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/5323/packageesmall6rg1.jpg

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/1457/packageesmall2uj6.jpg

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/180/packageesmall3na0.jpg

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/4893/packageesmall4xy3.jpg

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/820/packageesmall5lo3.jpg


-----==--=--==-----

Package F - Retail and Commercial: 1 x 55 floors, 1 x 45 floors

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/5760/packagefsmall1jy9.jpg

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/4276/packagefsmall2go1.jpg

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/1911/packagefsmall3sy8.jpg

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/2162/packagefsmall4wp6.jpg


-----==--=--==-----

Package G - Hotel and Transport Hub: 1 x 70 floors, 1 x 65 floors, 1 x 40 floors

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/4915/packagegtransporthubhotmt8.jpg

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/2641/packagegtransporthubhotbu2.jpg

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/6894/packagegtransporthubhothz8.jpg

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/4135/packagegtransporthubhotiy8.jpg

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/9853/packagegtransporthubhotbe9.jpg

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/8660/packagegtransporthubhotkh8.jpg


-----==--=--==-----

Package H - Crystal Towers: 2 x 70 floors, 2 x 50 floors

http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/4169/packagehcrystaltowerssmft6.jpg

http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/2582/packagehcrystaltowerssmya1.jpg

http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/3267/packagehcrystaltowerssmgi6.jpg


-----==--=--==-----

Package J - Residential, Retail, Commercial: 1 x 40 floors, 2 x 35 floors, 13 x 15 floors

http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/7272/packagejsmall1cn3.jpg

http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/3667/packagejsmall2df5.jpg


-----==--=--==-----

Package L - Unknown (Commerical?/Residential?): 2 x 35 floors, several x 25 floors

http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/2977/packagelsmall1ee2.jpg

http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/8939/packagelsmall2gp4.jpg


-----==--=--==-----

Package M - Commercial: 1 x 50 floors, at least 3 x 30 fl

http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/4700/packagemsmall1ue8.jpg

http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/10/packagemsmall2ln3.jpg

-----==--=--==-----

Package N - Unknown: 26 floors

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/4549/packagensmall2dy9.jpg

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/175/packagensmall1mw1.jpg


-----==--=--==-----

Package O - Commerical: 1 x 52 floors, 1 x 50 floors

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/9856/packageosmall1vb4.jpg

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/4936/packageosmall2qu0.jpg


-----==--=--==-----

Package P - Retail, Residential: 1 x 32 floors, 2 x 25 floors

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/6417/packagepsmall1gk5.jpg


-----==--=--==-----

Package Q - Retail, Residential: 1 x 35 floors, 1 x 25 floors

http://img388.imageshack.us/img388/2720/packageqsmall2as0.jpg

http://img388.imageshack.us/img388/7874/packageqsmall1gi3.jpg


-----==--=--==-----

Package R - Commercial: 3 X 32 floors

http://img356.imageshack.us/img356/200/packagersmall1sd5.jpg


-----==--=--==-----

Package S - Commercial: 4 X 25 floors, 3 X 15 floors

http://img356.imageshack.us/img356/5272/packagessmall1me0.jpg

http://img356.imageshack.us/img356/9175/packagessmall2ai3.jpg


-----==--=--==-----

Package T - Retail, Unkown: 30 floors

http://img356.imageshack.us/img356/9796/packagetsmall1bg8.jpg


-----==--=--==-----

Package U - Residential, Retail: 2 x 35 floors, 2 x 25 floors

http://img356.imageshack.us/img356/7054/packageusmall1nh7.jpg

http://img356.imageshack.us/img356/7315/packageusmall2ia5.jpg


-----==--=--==-----

Package V1 - Riverfront

http://img356.imageshack.us/img356/4549/packagev1small1cf8.jpg

http://img356.imageshack.us/img356/6820/packagev1small2ek7.jpg

-----==--=--==-----

Package V2 - Commercial: 62 floors

http://img356.imageshack.us/img356/9990/packagev2small1wa8.jpg

http://img356.imageshack.us/img356/5093/packagev2small2ef9.jpg


-----==--=--==-----

Package W - Museum and Convention Center

http://img356.imageshack.us/img356/8523/packagewsmall1el9.jpg

http://img356.imageshack.us/img356/4014/packagewsmall2wv3.jpg


-----==--=--==-----

Package X - Unkown, Retail: 3 x 55 floors

http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/6523/packagexsmall1ze6.jpg

http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/4769/packagexsmall2qk8.jpg


-----==--=--==-----

Package Y - Commercial, Residential: 1 x 45 floors, 1 x 25 floors, 2 x 15 floors, 1 x 10 floors

http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/6627/packageysmall1bl1.jpg

http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/4766/packageysmall2jm8.jpg

http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/9706/packageysmall3fy8.jpg


-----==--=--==-----

So a quick recap of all the released towers...

Final Count of the released towers above 15 floors:
1 x 87fl,
5 x 70fl,
2 x 65fl,
2 x 60fl,
1 x 62fl,
4 x 55fl,
1 x 52fl
4 x 50fl,
3 x 45fl,
2 x 40fl,
3 x 35fl,
4 x 32fl,
5 x 30fl,
~20 x 25fl,
x 25fl,
1 x 17fl,
18 x 15fl
_______

Total 50+ floors: 20 :eek2:

This number is likely to go up, since that the expansion and redesign will have 40 towers > 50 stories tall. There are still a number of the packages whose towers have not yet been released.

Cheers,
Jai

Right Click > Save As

INCREDIBLE!!!! Absolutely Incredible!

God I hope this project is realized. Such incredible urban planning, density, and ARCHITECTURE!

:bow::bow::bow:

BTW, here are some larger renderings of the old skyline design. I had these saved on my computer, but forgot they were there:

http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/6639/01xp9.jpg

http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/3448/02od8.jpg

http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/9250/03co1.jpg

wow! man! thats a feast to the eyes. its like a dream. simply fantastic !!
Its like a challange to the rest of the states to aim for stars!
Thanks Jai!

Jai, your enthusiasm is commendable. I wish this project does get realized to the last brick simply for the sake of your effort.

Thanks guys. I only have about an hour of 'online time', so why not make it productive ;)
Rem Kohlass and Ole Shereen are the designers of Beijing towers.

ECADI or East China Architecture and Design Institute who have designed much of modern
Shanghai have taken inspiration* from Rem and Ole's design.

*We call it inspiration when Bollywood copies from Hollywood or some non-bollywood source [including various other Indian film industries]

hehehehehe
Also it should be noted that Rem Kohlass colaborated with ECADI on the CCTV tower, so it's not as if ECADI totally lifted the design :)

nice project! i love the building designs :okay:

This is what I always knew India was capable of - and now its finally coming true.

Something ultra-modern, yet also incorporating/reviving traditional motifs.

Its like something out of a cyberpunk movie or anime or video game.

*cough*
edited

:cheers:

^ Hotlinking error there. Here's the image -

http://i35.tinypic.com/2z6v6rp.jpg

Thanks, imageshack was giving me some problems last night

The design is interesting.

What a lot of good projects that are u/c nowadays!

World’s largest green financial district planned (http://www.environmental-expert.com/resultEachPressRelease.aspx?cid=23745&codi=36124&idproducttype=8&level=0)
Source: GLOBE-Net
Published Aug. 21, 2008

A unique ’green building’ experiment is underway to create he world’s largest international financial center and one of India’s biggest ever infrastructure projects. The Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT) will occupy a green field site of more than 500 acres in the rapidly developing state of Gujarat in India. It is slated to be the world’s largest international financial services center and IT hub when it is completed in 2017.

This landmark project is an attempt to harness the growth and ambition of India, and direct it toward a concentrated urban setting as the focal point for the future development of the country.

In addition to hosting advanced ICT (information and communications technologies) systems, GIFT will function as an environmentally friendly eco-city, incorporating renewable energy sources like solar power, energy-efficient intelligent buildings and district cooling.

ABB, a world leader in power and automation technologies, was selected by Fairwood India, the project management consultants for GIFT, to design a complete power distribution system for the entire city to international benchmark levels of grid reliability, power quality and energy efficiency.

GIFT will have 104 million sq. ft. of built-up area, largely dedicated towards offices, in a concentrated high-rise setting that will be visually stunning as well as efficient and convenient to live in. The project is in its final pre-construction stages, and work on the ground has begun.

The site consists of about 100 million square feet of commercial and residential floor space, including an 80-storey signature building known as Diamond Tower. The center will dwarf comparable financial districts like London’s Docklands, Shanghai’s Pudong and Tokyo’s Shinjuku.

GIFT is located midway between Gujarat’s two most important cities, Ahmedabad (India’s seventh largest city) and Gandhinagar, and will be linked to both by expressways and mass transit railway systems. The massive development is expected to provide employment for around 500,000 people and homes for about 50,000.

Only 250 of the allotted 500 acres will be developed initially. The total project, including the townships, will be developed over the next 20 years, but the project’s core will lie in the first 250 acres.


Green Building in India

Sustainable urban development is now a key focus of the construction industry in India, with the industry hitting a boom phase. The Indian real estate sector is growing at an estimated 30% and is expected to be worth US $50 billion by 2010.

Increasingly, developers are incorporating energy efficiency and environmentally friendly systems and processes into their buildings, realizing savings of 40-50% in energy costs and similar reductions in water consumption.

The Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) estimates the demand for green building materials and equipment will reach US$4 billion per annum by 2010. Despite the growth there are significant barriers to building green, including the increased costs and design and construction skills required. Although architects have been adopting green principles, a widespread, integrated and holistic approach towards construction of green buildings is still in its early stages.

Projects like GIFT will do much to stimulate this component of the Indian economy.

Some new renderings of the skyline of the GIFT I

http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/2685/gift3.jpg

http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/482/gift1.jpg

http://img83.imageshack.us/img83/3310/gift22.jpg


And now the bridges.....

First, the "Living Bridge"
http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/230/giftbridge1.jpg

http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/6774/livebridge1.jpg

http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/4471/livebridge2.jpg

http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/9706/livebridge6.jpg

http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/4819/livebridge3.jpg

http://img54.imageshack.us/img54/1200/livebridge4.jpg

http://img53.imageshack.us/img53/8246/livebridge5.jpg



and the "Signature Bridge"

http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/3825/giftbridge2.jpg

http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/1845/signitbidge1.jpg

http://img56.imageshack.us/img56/8750/signitbidge2.jpg

Cheers,
Jai

http://img83.imageshack.us/img83/3310/gift22.jpg


Holy crap! Can't believe I've never seen this one before.

Has work started on this project as yet??

It would be super-fantastic to see this off the ground and successful!

Yes! GIFT is on!!! Cross-posting from the Indian thread

Great find! :cheers:

Have ripped a few pics from it:

Actual photos of the site!
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/409/update1r.png
http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/4365/update2.png
http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/7727/update3j.png
http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/3707/update4.png

Accurate Site Plan
http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/306/siteplan.png

Also, the artificial water body that was called "Dream River" in the earlier presentations has been changed to "Samruddhi Sarovar", looks like some of the major roads in GIFT are proposed to be called "Udyan Path", "Samruddhi Marg", "Astha Marg", "Gyan Marg" etc. I quite like it, just that I wish the city itself was named in a similar manner!

Very Nice!!! When will they start construction on the buildings????

^It already has -


http://i35.tinypic.com/2z6v6rp.jpg

http://img850.imageshack.us/img850/756/gift9.jpg
http://img808.imageshack.us/img808/7927/gift7.jpg
http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/1696/gift8.jpg

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/4904/gift6.jpg


http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/4348/gift5.jpg

http://img847.imageshack.us/img847/115/gift4.jpg

http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/2685/gift3.jpg

http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/9346/gift2a.jpg

Wow, this is exciting! I thought this project was gone for good. :cheers:

More updates :
Originally posted by up2009

RMC plant :
http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/9951/img0089of.jpg

http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/2315/img0104iz.jpg

http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/7821/img0103sl.jpg

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/4152/img0101dm.jpg

http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/2497/img0100nf.jpg

http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/3251/img0096yl.jpg

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/2416/img0091qs.jpg

Latest pics :-

They have added one more crane; there are now three. I dont think it is for a third tower, one of the towers must now have two cranes.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-R_t0-QAgjYc/TsOes7kd-yI/AAAAAAAAAp8/QtIE26k5JAE/s640/PB160806.JPG

One of the tower seems to have reached the 4th or 5th floor level. I took this pic from atop a small hilltop. So we can see only the top floor of the tower.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-xLXB2hHDfWc/TsOerL7YaeI/AAAAAAAAAps/4RFpLyCiqmE/s640/PB160802.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lDDy59Oz2Lw/TsOes47Q8II/AAAAAAAAAp4/Rg8CEDSELdc/s640/PB160803.JPG

A radio tower, it seems.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-hwNw0r2byR4/TsOeqWOApII/AAAAAAAAApk/xSMt8BqSe9A/s640/PB160800.JPG

This must be their soil quarry. Number of trucks were going around carrying soil.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rzBc5huULlE/TsOes57sPII/AAAAAAAAAp0/e-RXHfiZwvg/s640/PB160805.JPG

The road leading to the city.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-LrLJ9I7PKU0/TsOetPrObuI/AAAAAAAAAqI/iK-HGFbGp2c/s640/PB160807.JPG

They have connected the city to the NH 8 by a narrow road. So now it has two approaches.

In the last update the tower had reached ground level. That was in mid September. Now it is 5 storeys high in 2 months. Comes out to approx. 10-12 days per floor. The 30 storey tower should take another 250-300 days i.e. 8-10 months. Also they have added 1 more crane to speed up the work. It could be ready by Oct-Nov 2012 barring any obstacles.

This ensures that the project is more or less on schedule.

Good progress