#002 l Shanghai World Financial Center l SHANGHAI l 492m l 101fl

[ZZ-II]

Shanghai World Financial Center

HEIGHT: 492m
FLOORS: 101
COMPLETED: 2008
ARCHITECT: Kohn Pedersen Fox

Two architect firms is involved in the project, Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates and East China Architectural Design & Research Institute Co. Ltd. The foundation stone was laid on August 27, 1997. In the late 1990s the Japanese Mori Building Corporation (the developer of SWFC) had a fund shortage caused by the Asian financial crisis, which halted the project after the foundations were completed. Construction finally resumed on February 13th, 2003.

The original plann was a 460m, 94 story tall building, and it was supose to be completed in 2001, and become the world tallest building two years before the completion of Taipei 101. But the design was changed in 2003 to a 491.9m and 101 stories tall building with a 50m wide and tall rectangular opening on the top of the building. Mori Building Corporation actually proposed to raise the building up to 510m so it could surpass Taipei 101's 508m as the world's No. 1 skyscraper, but this was declined by local authorities in Shanghai saying the city has a limit to building heights and an overall consideration of the skylines on both sides of the Huangpu River. The design of the opening near the top of the tower was changed in mid-October, 2005; from a circular to a rectangular opening. Architect and developer claim that it is cheaper and easier to implement the new design.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y162/cityz/Urban/SWFCA1small.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3284/2591797183_6d6eb87166_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3074/2587469114_fe2cddd244_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3073/2586635165_ac7b24b79e_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3192/2586635619_327c17158a_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3198/2592573890_f64c2bb973_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3013/2591797191_59cf7ab3ac_b.jpg

I give it a 10/10 :okay:

[ChrisZwolle]

Stunning tower, one of the finest, and fitting in Shanghai very well. 9/10

[Densetsu]

I gave 10 out of 10. SWFC deserves it.

[Cunning Linguist]

One of the most iconic towers in the world (for those who have seen it)

[Skybean]

Soaring, tapering design. I think it would look even better with the circle at the top. But it is the most iconic Shanghai building now.

10 / 10

[Assemblage23]

10 / 10

A magestic and icon work of art of massive dimensions.

BTW, I didn't know this was officially finished yet!!!

[icracked]

10/10 that tower would be a great addition to any major skyline.

[gladisimo]

Loving this one, but the side view is not so good.

[TRMD]

^Ditto

9/10

[coolbug1234]

10/10, much better than taipei 101

[Nielsiej13]

9,5/10. Finest architecture.

[Miguel_Prat]

10/10 espectacular

[MDguy]

Incredibly amazing. It's perfect, 10/10

[luci203]

size:10
arhitecture:10
location:10
---------------
10/10

Not consitering Taipei 101 spire, the new WTB! :cheers:

[bonivison]

10!!!!!!!
amazing

[_00_deathscar]

Iconic though it is, I'm not fawning over this.

8/10

[nogud]

I'm glad the opening in the top was changed to rectangular.
Looks stunning.
9.5/10

[zulu69]

9.5. Stunning. Didn't give it a 10, cause i liked the original top and it's a tad too wide on the side profile. Still i'd have this bottle opener anytime! Incredible building!

[stanleymalls]

A very iconic tower! Though looks fat in side angles but overall beautiful!

9.5! :)

[mozarab]

Shanghai is an amazing city .

[shivtim]

9, iconic building for Shanghai. Agree with what people said about the side profile.

[bigwilley]

I gotta say 9.5, it is pretty darn stunnin

[Sagaris]

I never really likes it back when it was just renderings, but the real thing has really won me over. Completely. An emphatic 10 and into my top 5 supertalls on the planet.

[Chi649]

Congrats Shanghai! Great building.

10

[ncon]

10/10!!!

[ZZ-II]

more pics from Skyscrapers.cn:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3242/2605567434_6304d65afe_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3077/2604735845_200b9b5519_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3174/2604737203_13021ac91a_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3205/2605569322_8cf93d13bc_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3155/2602072091_bc51811d39_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3193/2602899036_6dca834f21_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2309/2602893502_eb903cb4fc_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3121/2602065271_c4d06e2c20_o.jpg

6.26
http://i.namipan.com/files/68556d6c4c920f70926cee9682fb7637c92782a7f01f0500130b/0/tmp1.jpg

[naer889]

i dont like too much some of the angles of the tower, but that top is amazing! 9/10

[Kamyu02]

I would like to calificate this with a 12 but since i can't of course it's an absolutely 10. This is at least in my opinion the World's Best Skyscraper (or it will be when finally completed).

[ElUsurpador]

IMO currently the best tower in the world :)

[Fundador]

very nice towers 9/10

[Cabman]

This tower has turned out a dream and is up there with the best. 9.5/10

[helghast]

size:10
arhitecture:10
location:10
---------------
10/10

Not consitering Taipei 101 spire, the new WTB! :cheers:

well u have to consider the spire of Taipei 101, because it's officially Structural part of the building. and this tower is very unique but definitely not the new WTB

[LeMoN-SK]

Spectacular tower. But I don't feel like giving 10 so only 9/10 for me.

[Scion]

10 - looove the shape. Though the circular hole was better

[big-dog]

10/10 one of the best skyscrapers ever built.

[ZZ-II]

Awesome shot:

http://i36.tinypic.com/2mrgswi.jpg

[megiddo]

^^:applause:

I think it's the best tower in the world.
10/10

[lester]

creative design, I love it

[orodreth_au]

9.0

Love this building, looks like a giant bottle opener!

[xX60Xx]

9.5

[davee08]

spectacular design and one of my fave a worthy 10/10

[mbuildings]

yes it is..............10/10

[MasonicStage™]

9,5/10 :cheers:

[Þróndeimr]

No doubt, 10/10! :cheers:

[GreenMonk108]

I like the lighting of the night view. It looks sexy. 10 for me. :banana:

[ZZ-II]

new pics:

http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/3439/96513404nb4.jpg

2008-07-14
http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/6489/tmp1xa5.jpg
http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/4262/tmp1bdx4.jpg

2008-07-15
http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/8461/15po4.jpg

2008-07-16
http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/307/16ux0.jpg
http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/9535/16azg2.jpg

[Mateus_]

10/10!

[kon133]

10/10
Amazing building :cheers::banana:

[W!CKED]

10/10

[xever_7]

9.5/10

[loytm]

this building is absolutely tall....wins two out of four categories on world tallest building ranking based on Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat..lost the most important criteria...height to the top of spire(architectural)..this one Taipei 101 and it is still the world tallest building..

Nvm..tiz building is tall enough to stand up among the others...the design is quite simple but being designed to be creative enough...with a hole on top of it...side view is not pretty nice...front view is better...

it stands on a strategic location..beside the Jin Mao Tower and in front of Oriental Pearl Tower

[MelboyPete]

8.5/10 looks like a giant bottle opener but I love it anyway...Great height and love the glass.

[shapeboy]

9/10

[DamienK]

9/10

[nsolak]

This building is amazing. Looks like giant bottle-opener. 10

[`dlskt]

10 for sure. :D

[meds]

Great shape
Looks great with the rest of the skyline

9/10

[RON-E]

9/10

[foxmulder_ms]

10 of course :D

[Khanabadosh]

10/10. Absolute beauty.

[engineer_bsb]

Only a few supertalls deserve 10/10.
Shanghai WFC is one of them!
It's simply fantastic...

[angkor princess]

9.5 from me because nothing is perfect in my opinion, but this is a real contender. Aesthetically beautiful it's elegant, sits well with its neighbour Jin Mao beautifully and almost like a piece of art or sculpture. Like a trophy for an award. Definitely one of the best in Asia and among the greats around the world. My hat goes off to everyone involved with this building. :)

[ZZ-II]

new awesome shot:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3018/2743742204_01e081196a_o.jpg

[LAYZIEDOGG]

I love it, one of the best towers in the world! although the small side at the top can't sadisfy me. it looks a bit odd from that side. 9.5/10

[Gherkin007]

At night it's probably the best looking skyscraper on the planet. In the day it's less impressive.

[Rutger1991]

The most beautiful skyscraper in Shanghai!!!!!!!! :righton: ^^

[Gerard]

The perfect scraper for me. 9.5/10

[ZZ-II]

http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o322/foglio23/1-23.jpg

[Infrarojo]

10/10

[skytrax]

9/10

[EMH]

Awesome shot:

http://i36.tinypic.com/2mrgswi.jpg

10/10
i love this building, is amazing

[TallBox]

Wow. This is officially second-tallest in the world?

I like it a lot.. 8/10

[ZZ-II]

yes, at the moment the SWFC is the 2nd Tallest building in the world. but not for very long because yet this year the Burj Dubai will top out :)

[ericlucky290]

Is the building is now open for the public?

[Dequal]

Is the building is now open for the public?

The observation deck opens at August, 31st. The opening ceremony is the next day or something.

[richardvargas]

10/10 .:)

[Skyscrapers 2008]

I love this building:banana:

[Asunarocks]

A wonderful addition to the Shanghai skyline. An imaginative design which looks even better "in the steel" than in the renders 10/10 :cheers:

[thomyorke26]

10 / 10

[helghast]

New view of Shanghai on skyscraper

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/images/attachement/jpg/site1/20080826/0013729e4ad90a1e5d532b.jpg
A view of the city of Shanghai from the 492-meter-tall Shanghai World Financial Center under construction on August 26, 2008. Observation decks on 100th and 97th floors of the 101-storey tower, overlooking the city, are set to be finished and open to the public at the end of this month, providing visitors a spectacular view of downtown Shanghai and the winding Huangpu River

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/images/attachement/jpg/site1/20080826/0013729e4ad90a1e5d532c.jpg

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/images/attachement/jpg/site1/20080826/0013729e4ad90a1e66112e.jpg

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/images/attachement/jpg/site1/20080826/0013729e4ad90a1e67cb30.jpg

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/images/attachement/jpg/site1/20080826/0013729e4ad90a1e66122f.jpg
An interior view of the observation deck on the 100th floor of the Shanghai World Financial Center in Shanghai, August 26, 2008. Observation decks on 100th and 97th floors of the 101-storey tower, overlooking the city

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/images/attachement/jpg/site1/20080826/0013729e4ad90a1e5d522a.jpg

[Jude12]

10/10 Tower of 2008.

[Kawasaki_Kragujevac]

9.5/10
magic

[Perth4life]

10/10 also

[benedetton_alexandra]

10/10!

[vangraaf]

10/10 :applause:

[MCC]

9/10 breathtaking

[Alphaville]

10/10.

I went up yesterday-- the observation bridge on the 100th floor (not only being the highest in the world) is the best observation deck ever. You get a real sense of vertigo.

[Rutger1991]

10/10 ^^

[cmoonflyer]

9.5/10 !

[stasiua]

Beautiful.

10/10

[Skymyhusband]

10/10 = n°1 :D

10, of course :)

And happy birthday, "ROT moderator" ;)

[ZZ-II]

thx Skymyhusband :)

[Gaeus]

I don't like this thread. There is no 11 or 12. Probably add more "0" for "100". I am really disappointing.

:rant:

[Sister Ray]

10 My favorite tower yet built.

[Þróndeimr]

Need to fix the front page pictures ZZ-II, many of the newer ones is better! :cheers:

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y162/cityz/Urban/SWFCA1small.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y162/cityz/Urban/SWFCA2small.jpg

[Man1ek]

9,5/10

[ZZ-II]

Just Wanted to post the same pic promdeimr :lol:, but i'll add it to the first page :)

[kix111]

also this one in front page plzzzzzzzz

http://forum.uuout.com/attachments/day_080930/20080930_f278814ff8b4b4268e79kPdsFWbcnnIq.jpg

thanks ZZ-II haha XD

[LMCA1990]

10/10

[Ali18]

10/10 but I think, SWTC has been built too close to Jim Mao Tower (IMO) and these buildings are very different :)

[Kushro-I]

Great! 9/10 but it can always be better:p

[Eric Offereins]

9/10

[sieradzanin1]

10/10

[briker]

TEN 10!

[williamhou2005]

definately 10/10

[ieBryan]

I give it a 9, but I can't really imagine it any better.

[SacOnTheRise]

7.5 A sleek blue tower that does not really do anything new. Still looks great at night though.

[Astralis]

Absoulte stunner... 11/10 of course :master: :master: :master:

[ZZ-II]

new pic:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3203/2994638287_1601369bc3_o.jpg

[KnowitallSkyScraper]

My favorite new skyscraper in quite a while.

Gorgeous, 10/10

[ZZ-II]

another awesome shot:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3279/3020343383_782166d290_b.jpg

[Stephan78]

Definatelly 10/10.

[Brisbaner21]

10/10

[deepblue01]

10/10, one of the best towers ever built

[railway stick]

9/10. Beautiful.

[m3nyun]

10/10,amazing...

[ZZ-II]

flickr:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3212/3055370643_bb2c2bb0e0_b.jpg

[ReiAyanami]

10/10
This is actually one of the most aesthetically advanced designs, simple clean lines that drive the eye high in the sky, its prismatic like shape is a clean statement of what a skyscraper must do : make sky and earth one!

[Densetsu]

From Flickr by De BCN a Jiangxi.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3056/3065910970_6f441b2528_b.jpg

[Densetsu]

Another shot from Flickr by De BCN a Jiangxi.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3023/3065070711_7b5bbe7c42_b.jpg

[Nazur4]

10 :nuts:

[Vrachar]

10/10

[ZZ-II]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3057/3075151166_3c9479b15c_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3243/3074308395_ca5ba6dd52_b.jpg

Observatory Comparison
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3148/3074496054_5a59486e02_b.jpg

Elevator Going up!
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3058/3074483432_5fc2974893_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3138/3073604187_28357b9882_b.jpg