Shanghai will no longer lay claim to the tallest building in China if plans by Shenzhen Kingkey Real Estate Development and bKL Architecture move forward. Their proposal would see a 739-metre megatall skyscraper rise in the Caiwuwei commercial area, and that vision recently came closer to reality, with the H700 Shenzhen Tower scheme formally being submitted to the Luohu District Government of Shenzhen for review and approval. 

H700 Shenzhen Tower, image via bKL Architecture

The existing Huanyu Building would be replaced by the 169-storey tower. The rapidly changing area could also play host to another megatall just across the street. PLP Architecture designed a three-pronged project for that site, but new renderings for H700 show an updated look for an earlier rendition of the development that was created by OMA. Whatever form the adjacent building takes, both landmark towers would be connected by a flyover across Shennan Road.

H700 Shenzhen Tower, image via bKL Architecture

The development marks the eastern expansion of the cityscape and a ground-level plaza aims to strengthen and animate the urban character of this evolving neighbourhood. This public square would be filled with a diversity of retail, civic, and institutional uses that will amalgamate into a cohesive cultural asset for the city. The tapering shape of the tower, piercing corner fins, multiple sky gardens, and bold exoskeleton will create a new landmark for the gateway between Shenzhen and Hong Kong

H700 Shenzhen Tower, image via bKL Architecture

The Luoho District is undergoing tremendous changes to its physical composition. With over 100 urban renewal projects currently in motion, the area's constant growth represents the large-scale transformation of China's cities. As industry grew over the last 35 years, Shenzhen's population exploded from 30,000 to over 11 million people. Now one of the largest cities in the world, it's only natural that the increasingly common megatall building typology comes to anchor the municipalities that are driving the future of architecture.

Crown of H700 Shenzhen Tower, image via bKL Architecture

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