In the three months since our last update, work has been progressing atop the crown level of the China World Trade Center Phase 3B in Beijing, with cladding work now well underway at the top of the 59-storey, 316-metre supertall development set to become the city's second-tallest structure.

China World Trade Center Phase 3B, crown work underway, image by Flickr user Philip Chou via thetowerinfo.com

Designed by SOM, both this project and the adjacent China World Tower (2010) are similar in appearance. Phase 3B stands out however, due to its signature canted glass exterior that provides a handful of practical benefits, such as heat deflection and natural self-cleaning during heavy rainfall, as covered in a previous story

China World Trade Center Phase 3B, full tower view, image by Flickr user Philip Chou via thetowerinfo.com

Slated for completion in 2017, Phase 3B will be home to 120,800 square metres of state-of-the-art office space, which will sit atop a 600-room hotel and amenity space that will take root in the podium level. Set to become an iconic part of the Beijing skyline, the city's second-tallest structure will surely not disappoint, its bold bamboo-derived outward appearance to long be a high watermark of achievement amid a cityscape widely renowned for its world class architecture. 

Phase 3B as it will appear upon completion in 2017, image via SOM

SkyriseCities will be sure to return to this project as progress continues. For more information, check out the associated Database file and Forum thread, and as always, feel free to join the conversation in the comments section below.