With tough competition, odds are stacked against the Topwin Center being a success

Just when we all thought Sanlitun's recent makeover was almost complete and the area was safe from further development, construction work has started on yet another high-rise tower and shopping mall. This latest new building activity is not surprising. Just as nature abhors a vacuum, present-day Beijing abhors an empty space, especially when it is prime real estate within the East Third Ring Road on Sanlitun South Street and Gongti.

I walk by this area every morning when going to Tuanjiehu subway station from my apartment behind Sanlitun SOHO. I'd wondered what would be done with it and recently began noticing large-scale excavation work. Last week it became clear crews were digging an underground parking garage for a new tower and upscale mall.