The Shanghai World Financial Center (SWFC), the world's highest mix-use complex will throw open its doors to the world and begin formal operations this week. Situated in Lujiazui Finance and Trade Zone in the Pudong New Area of Shanghai, the heart of the city's thriving financial district, the new building stretches to a height of 492 meters and boasts 101 storeys, making it by some margin the tallest building in Mainland China.

Conceived as a new fulcrum for financial and information exchanges across the Asian region, the Shanghai World Financial Center merges state-of-the-art technology with the unrivalled knowledge and experience of the companies behind the project.

The landmark structure was developed with strong support from the Chinese government and the municipal authorities of the city of Shanghai, and also benefited from the enormous contribution made by a consortium led by the China State Construction Engineering Corporation and the Shanghai Construction (Group) General Company. Their skills and expertise in construction were vital in bringing to completion such an ambitious and challenging project.

Also playing an integral role were Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates P.C. (KPF), Leslie E. Robertson Associates R.L.L.P (LERA), Shanghai Modern Architectural Design (Group) Co., Ltd. and East China Architectural Design and Research Institute, Co., Ltd. Their vast experience in design and structural engineering helped to create the striking form and distinctive design that makes this building so special. Rounding out the high-profile team is the Mori Building Co., Ltd, who brought to the project their years of experience in corporate planning and operations.

The Lujiazui Financial and Trading Area in Pudong New District, with the new Shanghai World Financial Center at its heart, has been identified by the Chinese and Shanghai governments as the key zone in their drive to transform Shanghai into an international financial center. And as the municipal authorities implement even more open financial policies to achieve this goal, the SWFC is ideally placed to cater for the needs of multi-national corporations working in Shanghai. The building offers cutting-edge office facilities, the world's tallest observatory (474 meters), international standard conference and forum facilities, and media center providing the very latest information from the worlds of finance, culture and the arts. Also operating in the complex is the Park Hyatt Shanghai, offering an international standard of service for global travelers.

As such, the SWFC aims to be a "global magnet", a powerful force at the heart of Shanghai that will help to attract the world's leading talents and shape the future of this dynamic city. As Shanghai strives to become a hub of economy in Asia, the concept of a traditional financial center by demonstrating its unparalleled charm of mixing the functionalities of business, culture and sight-seeing.

On August 30th, the world's highest observatory deck will open to the public. A range of other exciting facilities will open in the months ahead, as the SWFC develops its reputation as Shanghai's most exciting new landmark.

【Overview on building】

Building Name Shanghai World Financial Center
Location No. 100, Century Avenue, Pudong New District, Shanghai
Project site area 30,000 sq.m
Building site area 14,400 sq.m
Total gross floor area 381,600 sq.m
Number of floors 101 floors above ground, 3 floors under ground
Building Height 492 m
Structure Steel reinforced concrete structure (SRC) and steel-framed structure (S)
Project Owner Shanghai World Financial Center Co., Ltd
Project architect &
engineer
Mori Building Co., Ltd
Design architect Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates P.C. (KPF)
Irie Miyake Architects &Engineers
Structure engineer Leslie E. Robertson Associates R.L.L.P (LERA)
Architect of record Shanghai Modern Architecture Design (Group) Co., Ltd
East China Architecture Design and Research Institute Co., Ltd
Constructor China state Construction Engineering Corporation
Shanghai Construction Group