Construction in full swing to take Xuhui to new heights

Yang Jian
Construction in Xuhui this year will mainly develop the Huangpu River waterfront.
Yang Jian
Construction in full swing to take Xuhui to new heights
Ti Gong

An artist's rendition of the West Bund Media Hub in Xuhui District.

Xuhui District, named after Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) official and scientist Xu Guangqi, intends to become a scientific hub with a vibrant cultural life. The part of Huangpu River waterfront known as the West Bund aims to be a center of art and artificial intelligence. 

Xuhui released its list of projects for 2019 over the weekend, including the West Bund Media Hub and AI Valley as well as plans for the tallest building west of the river.

The total investment in the new works will reach 19 billion yuan (US$2.84 billion) this year, the heaviest spending ever in Xuhui, said the district's director, Fang Shizhong.

New building technology will ensure quality and safety, while avoiding disturbance to nearby residents.

Shanghai's first AI town will be built in Beiyang, featuring AI firms, labs and a residential community with wide AI applications.

A pair of 200-meter-tall towers will be the city's "AI Center." One of the buildings, already completed on Longyao Road, will become a global AI development and exhibition center. 

Construction will also start on the Beiyang AI Town this year, gathering tech companies focused on brain simulation, IntelliSense and automated driving. AI will be used in medical, finance, transport, media and business in the town.

Construction in full swing to take Xuhui to new heights
Ti Gong

How the twin AI towers in the West Bund AI Valley may ultimately look.

Construction in full swing to take Xuhui to new heights
Ti Gong

When completed, the Xujiahui Center in Xuhui District will be the tallest building in Puxi.

Xujiahui Center

The Xujiahui Center will be a new downtown landmark and the tallest building in Puxi upon its completion in 2023. The complex is twice as large as the Shanghai World Financial Center in the Pudong New Area. It will include offices, a luxury hotel, shops, restaurants, art galleries and theaters.

The 70-story building will be higher than the 320-meter Magnolia Square complex in Hongkou, becoming the tallest structure in Puxi and the fourth tallest in the city. 

A skywalk connecting malls in Xujiahui will open this year. The first phase will connect the West Asia Hotel (now the T20 Building) with Metro City and Pacific Digital City. The next phase will slink the Orient Shopping Center, Grand Gateway 66 and the Pacific Department Store.

The skywalk is part of a major facelift of the commercial area, renowned for shopping and electronic malls. It will be redeveloped with cultural and entertainment venues taking center stage.

Between the West Bund and Xujiahui, the Wanping Theater is being refurbished to rejuvenate Chinese opera. Other key projects include the Xujiahui Sports Park and the opera house of Shanghai Conservatory of Music, which will open this year.

Overhead cables on 22 roads in Xuhui will go underground this year, following cleanup campaign around the Wukang Building, formerly the Normandie Apartments, in January. The targeted streets include Caoxi Road N., Zhongshan Road W. and Wanping Road S.

Construction in full swing to take Xuhui to new heights
Ti Gong

How the Xujiahui Skywalk may look when it opens to the public this year.

Construction in full swing to take Xuhui to new heights
Ti Gong

The West Bund Art Gallery

Construction in full swing to take Xuhui to new heights
Ti Gong

Shanghai Conservatory of Music opera house


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