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Like something out of a James Bond film, the recently debuted InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland Hotel, built into the side of an abandoned rock quarry, is now open for business. Located 19 km outside of Shanghai City Centre, the latest addition to the InterContinental Hotel family features 336 rooms spread across 18 floors, with hotel guests treated to surreal views of the picturesque surroundings.
Viewed in the renderings above and below, the five-star hotel is truly an impressive feat. Designed by Martin Jochman, the hotel sits almost entirely below grade (290 feet below to be exact), save for its top two floors.
A centrally located elevator shaft brings guests up and down, from the surface to the water's edge, the quarry itself an attraction all on its own. It is reported that just the piling alone took more than two years to complete.
Down below, six industrial strength pumping machines are at the ready, while from a structural point of view, the building has been engineered to withstand a 9.0 earthquake. For those looking for a little adventure while in Shanghai, the InterContinental may just be the place to find it.
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.
