CapitaLand has written a new world record as it embarks on the complex crowning process for Raffles City Chongqing, the iconic 1.12 million-square-metre (sq m) urban district located on Chongqing’s famed Chaotianmen riverfront.  The crowning process features the extraordinary engineering feat of erecting a curved accordion-shaped “horizontal skyscraper” – measuring 300 m in length, 30 m in width and 22.5 m in height – above four 250 m-tall towers at a total height of more than 400 m above sea level.  Raffles City Chongqing now holds the world’s record as the development with the highest sky bridge linking the most number of towers.

Video Source: CapitaLand

Mr Lim Ming Yan, President and Group CEO of CapitaLand Limited, said: “Raffles City Chongqing is by far the largest and most complex integrated development that CapitaLand has undertaken.  Erecting The Conservatory marks the culmination of five years of construction progress and a grand milestone in outlining Raffles City Chongqing’s image of a powerful sail surging forward, as it prepares to welcome the world in 2019.  The hoisting of The Conservatory is not only a significant moment for Raffles City Chongqing, it marks a global milestone in the field of architecture and engineering.  Some of the world’s most advanced construction and engineering techniques have been deployed to install this megastructure on Chaotianmen, known as the crown jewel of Chongqing.  CapitaLand is proud to have achieved this phenomenal structural engineering breakthrough of connecting skyscrapers, and we will continue to stay ahead of the curve by breaking new grounds in real estate development.”

Supplied: CapitLand -  ​Site photo of Raffles City Chongqing, showing the first middle segment of The Conservatory in place

Singapore’s single largest development in China by CapitaLand and Ascendas-Singbridge, Raffles City Chongqing is an ambitious RMB24 billion (about S$4.9 billion) vertically-built urban district comprising a retail podium and eight skyscrapers for residential, office, serviced residence and hotel use.  As the ninth “horizontal skyscraper” with 10,000 sq m of gross floor area (GFA), The Conservatory is the heart of Raffles City Chongqing connecting a total of six vertical towers – four towers at its base and two adjacent towers by cantilever bridges.  Designed as the centre of attraction, it houses a rich array of amenities, including a themed observation deck and sky gardens, an infinity pool and a food and beverage zone. 

Supplied: CapitLand - The Conservatory is the heart of Raffles City Chongqing and centre of civic activities, housing a rich array of amenities

Hoisting the three middle steel segments of The Conservatory – each weighing up to 1,100 tons – to the designated height of 250 m marks a world first.  This extraordinary engineering feat was broadcast throughout China during primetime news on China Central Television last December when the hoisting process began.  The Conservatory’s steel structure is targeted to be fully erected by mid-2018, which will be followed by the hoisting of the façade enclosure together with gigantic trees and plants for the sky gardens.

Supplied: CapitaLand - The Conservatory at Raffles City Chongqing is the world’s highest sky bridge linking the most number of towers

Raffles City Chongqing is CapitaLand’s eighth Raffles City development in China.  The seven others in Beijing, Chengdu, Hangzhou, Ningbo, Shanghai (with two Raffles City developments) and Shenzhen are operational.  Collectively, the eight Raffles City developments in China span about 3 million square metres and are worth about S$13 billion (about RMB64 billion) when fully completed.

Source: CapitaLand Limited

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