Guangzhou International Financial Center (GZIFC) is one of the tallest skyscrapers in the world. Its graceful modernist silhouette rises above the downtown area, reflecting on the waters of the Yellow River. The lower floors of the building are rented out for offices, the upper floors house a hotel complex with an observation deck and a helipad.
Description
The Guangzhou International Financial Center in China is located along the central axis of the New City, 500 meters from the Pearl River waterfront. With a height of 437.51 m, GZIFC is one of the twenty tallest skyscrapers in the world. The total area of the premises is more than 448,000 m22.
The building was built as part of the city's economic development program. The 103-story structure was the largest mega tower and the largest international business complex in Guangzhou at the time of construction.
The construction of the structure began in 2006 and was completed in 2010. Wilkinson Eyre Architects was entrusted with project management from blueprints to reality. Plans are in place to build the East Tower nearby.
Altitude records
A photo of the International Financial Center in Guangzhou circled the world tabloids in 2010 as the largest skyscraper in South China. GZIFC, at 1439 feet, remains the world's tallest building with a rooftop helipad. It is only rivaled by the Beijing International Trade Tower, rising 1,083 feet (330 m) into the sky.
By the way, both structures are taller than the previous record-holder, US Bank Tower in Los Angeles, which held the palm from 1989 to 2010, whose helipad roof rises 1,018 feet (310.3 m). At the end of 2016, the tower of the center was the second tallest in the city, the sixth in China, the 11th in the Asian continent and the 15th in the world.
Design Features
Guangzhou International Financial Center is the world's first mega-tower supported by diagonal columns. Each of them is made of steel pipes filled with reinforced concrete. The design is so strong that it is able to withstand not only fires, explosions, strong winds, but also external attacks from several directions. The entire structure of the building is monitored by electronic systems that alert the slightest structural damage. This makes it easier to find problem areas and startimmediate repair.
In addition to the main West Tower, the Guangzhou International Financial Center includes a 28-story commercial and administrative block connected to the main building by a 4-level underground passage.
From the outside, the skyscraper is surrounded by a unique glass wall (the largest in the world), called the Double glazed Low-E curtain wall. The design has a reinforced laminated glass surface. Two layers of waterproof systems are built into the shell to withstand heavy downpours.
Transparent Low-E double glazing provides additional noise reduction, energy efficiency in lighting and air conditioning. Thanks to the "crystal" tower, GZIFC is easily recognizable from a distance and is the undisputed landmark of the city.
Offices
Two-thirds of the main tower of the Guangzhou International Financial Center is occupied by offices. They are located from the 1st to the 66th floor and correspond to the world A-class standard. Tenants are provided with highly efficient, safe, comfortable, spacious (ceiling heights of 3-4.5 m) and environmentally friendly workspaces. On the first floor there is a 13.5-meter high-tech lobby. The tower is pierced by 71 elevators, including 4 through high-speed ones.
All offices provided by:
- intelligent control system;
- three-channel dual cooling power supplies;
- high-speed fiber opticnetworks;
- fire extinguishing and warning systems;
- A-class air conditioning units;
- ventilation system that provides plenty of fresh air.
Upper floors reserved for technical needs. It houses building maintenance equipment, air conditioning systems, utility rooms.
Hotel complex
From the 67th to the 100th floor, the tower houses the Guangzhou Four Seasons Hotel, the highest hotel in the international Four Seasons chain. A total of 330 luxury apartments are equipped, including:
- 235 standard numbers;
- 53 Executive Suites;
- 28 double single rooms;
- 12 double two-room apartments;
- 1 Royal Suite;
- 1 Presidential Suite.
Luxury rooms are over 60 m2 in size2 and boast fantastic views of the Pearl River and the city. The observation decks of the Guangzhou International Financial Center are at the 99th and 100th mark.
There are two hotel lobbies on the 1st and 70th floors of the main tower. Four OTIS high-speed shuttle lifts are able to take customers to the 70th floor within a minute. Guangzhou Four Seasons has a SPA, an indoor infinity pool, a gym and a beauty salon on the 69th floor, as well as an executive lounge, a bar and various themed restaurants (including fine dining) on the 71st, 72nd, 99th and 100th floors.
Besides this, luxuriousthe hotel complex provides fully equipped balconies for contemplation of the surroundings, a business center, large and small conference rooms. The pride of the hotel is a transparent glass staircase connecting the 99th and 100th floors. There is a helipad on the roof.
The interior design showcases a harmonious blend of both Chinese and Western art designs. The rooms seem to be painted with the brush of an artist who masterfully masters the technique of light, shadow and perspective. The rooms are designed in such a way that the arrangement of furniture and appliances can be easily changed depending on the mood of the clients.
How to get to Guangzhou International Financial Center
Despite the large territory of the metropolis, it is not difficult to find GZIFC. The tower is located in the New City (Zhujiang New City), whose skyscrapers are visible for many kilometers. You can also navigate along the Yellow River.
If you move by a rented car or taxi, it is enough to know the address of the object - Zhujiang New Town, Zhujiang Xi Road, No. 5. A GPS navigator (or equivalent) will greatly facilitate the search and suggest the best route, taking into account traffic jams. The trip from Guangzhou Baiyun Airport and Nansha Marine Passenger Terminal takes approximately the same time - 45 minutes.
Perhaps someone will find it convenient to use the subway. From the port of Nansha to the city center there is a "green" subway line. At Chebei South station, change to the pink line and head west to the stationPearl River New Town. From Guangzhou Baiyun Airport, the "orange" subway line leads directly to the same station.
