NEWS

Aerial shot of Qiantan ES4 Precinct, Shanghai.

Britain's Benoy wins contract to create prestigious Shanghai address

British architecture firm Benoy's successful penetration of the high-growth markets of China and India has received another boost with the award of a prestigious new contract.

The company, which was founded in 1947 and has offices in London, Newark, Abu Dhabi, Mumbai, Singapore, Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong, has won the international urban design competition for the Lujiazui Pudong Qiantan ES4 Precinct Core Area in the south of Shanghai, China.

Qin Pang, project designer at Benoy, said: "This iconic development will form an affluent multi-layered and well-connected city. The project is expected to attract RMB 100 billion in future investment to the area, which encompasses the north-south axis along Hungpu River and the east-west axis along the Middle Ring Road."

The masterplan design successfully integrates a mix of commercial, residential, cultural, and recreational uses. The 34 hectare core area will comprise over 1.8 million square metres of mixed-use development including retail and entertainment, office and hotel and residential, completed by a tall tower.

Ian Hau, urban designer at Benoy, said: "The Benoy masterplan put forward a vision to create Shanghai’s premier business address, residential community, transportation nexus and lifestyle destination for Shanghai - a precinct that will be unique in its quality and sense of place."

"The concept incorporates an urban design framework for infrastructure, planning and design that will deliver an attractive place for workers, residents, and tourists. It is intended to inform the large-scale urban, economic and real estate decisions, which will be made in the coming months."

The client, Lujiazui Group, have been responsible for the development and implementation of Shanghai’s Pudong Central Business District since the 1990s, and the Qiantan ES4 Precinct will be the third central business district of the city. It will also serve as a major public transport interchange and a waterfront entertainment destination.

Diversity will be the key to the Qiantan’s long term appeal. The well-designed mixed-use community will attract residents, workers, regional visitors, retailers and tourists, ensuring the economic stability of Qiantan Precinct.