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China is engulfed in skyscraper mania. The world's largest country by population, it's only natural that vertical cities are increasingly being seen as the answer to limited land and a burgeoning population. Located on the Pearl River just northwest of Hong Kong, the city of Guangzhou is one of numerous Chinese cities receiving its fair share of new skyscrapers. The most recently completed tower also ranks as the seventh tallest in the city.
Designed by Goettsch Partners, R&F Yingkai Square mixed-use tower holds 174,500 square metres of space across 66 storeys and 296 metres. Measuring in just shy of the 300-metre criteria for supertall status, the striking tower still forms an impressive peak in the futuristic skyline. The building's interior program is broken down into 114,500 square metres of office space, 10,000 square metres of retail, and a 208-key Park Hyatt hotel on the upper levels. The project marks the 11th Hyatt property Goettsch Partners has completed, with three of them coming online in the last eight months. It is also their first venture into the luxury Park Hyatt brand.
Part of a larger masterplanned district of towers, this signature structure mimics the appearance of a bamboo plant. The building's irregular carved corners and textured stainless steel and glass facade draw comparisons to the exterior composition of the abundant species. Vertical strips compress and stretch as they ascend, with a dense cluster at the base representing the sense of gravity.
The square massing of the tower respects the simplicity of the street grid while providing panoramic vistas to tenants. An infinity-edge pool on the 60th level hugs the full length of a perimeter wall for a truly urban experience. A roof garden on the 70th floor again emphasizes views while producing an open-air dining atmosphere. The multi-program building maximizes the potential of the site and grants Guangzhou with another gleaming skyscraper to rave about.
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