Rumors that Shanghai is planning to build a 700-meter-high skyscraper were
refuted Wednesday by Lujiazui Group, a leading real estate development company
in the economic hub.
The height of the skyscraper - which will be the
third landmark tower in the Lujiazui financial zone - and its architect, are yet
to be decided, sources with the Lujiazui Group revealed.
According to a
1993 masterplan for the development of the Lujiazui financial zone, there will
be three landmark skyscrapers in the area.
One of the landmark
structures, Jinmao Tower, has been erected, and another, the Shanghai World
Financial Tower, is being built.
At 420.5 meters high, Jinmao Tower
ranks fourth in the world after the 508-meter-high Taipei 101 Tower (now the
world's highest) in China's Taiwan Province, Petronas Tower 1&2 in Kuala
Lumpur, and Sears Tower in Chicago.
The Shanghai World Financial Tower
that is currently under construction will be 492 meters high and will have 104
storeys when completed.
The third skyscraper in Lujiazui financial zone
will be adjacent to Jinmao Tower in the north and Shanghai World Financial Tower
in the east, said sources with Lujiazui Group, who are responsible for the
project.
The hunt for the project's architect is underway. Sources said
that the candidates include two American architect firms, SOM and KPF, and the
Southeastern Institute of Shanghai Modern Architectural Design Group.
Shanghai has more than 300 high-rises that reach more than 100 meters
into the air.
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