The port city of Xiamen on China's southeast coast is home to about 3.5 million people. Its location on the Taiwan Strait propelled the city's foray into the fishing and shipbuilding industries. While these historically important activities continue to give Xiamen its identity today, the city's strong financial services and banking sectors have given the city its modern economic prowess. One of the most identifiable new symbols of Xiamen's commercial success is the Xiamen International Centre complex. 

Xiamen Cross Strait Financial Centre, image via Gensler

Situated in the Siming District, the 344-metre Xiamen Cross Strait Financial Centre is now the tallest building in the city. Developed by Winland Group and featuring a design by the internationally renowned architecture firm Gensler, the supertall's bulging glazed surface is interrupted by a gaping aperture at the top levels. The hole in the tower creates a ledge from which impressive views of the city can be enjoyed. Above this point, the facade veers inward until a rooftop helipad completes the office structure. 

Xiamen International Centre, Winland Group, image via Gensler

The project's retail and commercial podium also anchors a smaller 50-storey hotel tower. An extensive green roof will sit atop the podium structure, providing an interplay with the sleek glass cladding of the tower. The land was to be occupied by the Xiamen Post & Telecommunication Building, but construction on this project stalled for nearly a decade, leaving ruins of the halted structure on the site. The remnants were finally removed in 2012 and crews began digging to lay the foundation for the new tower soon afterwards. 

Xiamen Cross Strait Financial Centre, image by Kowloon City built via Gaoloumi

Photos taken in early 2016 by Gaoloumi user Kowloon City built show the progress that's been made thus far. The skyscraper is an imposing presence on the skyline, its core projecting upward from the large steel floors below. Though the building is mostly unsheltered for now, glazing on the lower floors highlight its external form, while mullions emphasize the structure's verticality. The building should begin welcoming tenants in 2017. 

Xiamen Cross Strait Financial Centre, image by Kowloon City built via Gaoloumi

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