Activity in Nanjing and Shanghai, and efforts to lessen the possibility of coronavirus transmission

KONE to Supply 36 Elevators for Nanjing Supertall

KONE has won an order to provide 36 elevators featuring its UltraRope® carbon-fiber ropes for a supertall development in Nanjing, the company announced in April. The 416.6-m-tall tower, being developed by Nanjing Financial City Construction and Development Co., Ltd., will be the tallest of five high-rise buildings in the Nanjing Financial City Complex, as well as the city’s tallest, and will host the Nanjing Kimpton Hotel. KONE will deliver 11 MonoSpace® and 25 MiniSpace™ elevators traveling at speeds up to 10 m/s. The company will also install its E-Link™ facility management system. William B. Johnson, executive vice president, KONE Greater China, said the building will be used by 60,000 people per month. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.

Construction Moves Forward in Shanghai

Construction on new landmarks, including a supertall tower, is in full swing in Shanghai’s downtown Xuhui District, Shine reported in April. The district government released its 2020 major construction plans, listing 61 projects representing a total investment of CNY16.5 billion (US$2.34 billion). Among them is the Xujiahui Center, which will have two office towers — one standing 370 m tall — plus a luxury hotel and seven floors of shops, restaurants, galleries and theaters. The taller building would have 70 stories and become the tallest in the district. Its completion is targeted for 2023. The project is designed to revitalize the commercial developments in the immediate area and will include a skywalk connecting to nearby malls, which are slated for renovations.

Other projects are planned along Shanghai’s West Bund waterfront, along the Huangpu River, home to museums and art galleries housed in renovated factory building. The plan envisions the area becoming home to an artificial- intelligence hub.

Chinese Manufacturers Developing Antiviral VT Products

In addition to passengers coming up with their own methods to lessen the possibility of transmission of COVID-19 when using vertical-transportation (VT) equipment, Chinese manufacturers are devising solutions, Zhang Lexiang, secretary general of the China Elevator Association, said on LinkedIn. Confined elevator cabins are a particular area of concern, with passengers avoiding contact with buttons by using toothpicks to push them. Chinese manufacturers have developed antiviral buttons, coatings and steel panels, as well as contactless elevator call systems that use voice/facial recognition, smartphones or activation by foot or hand gestures. Taking cues from the airline industry, Chinese manufacturers have redesigned ventilation systems and are integrating ultraviolet-light disinfection systems into both elevators and escalators. “A lot of health-related elevator and escalator products are under development,” Lexiang said. “The postponed World Elevator & Escalator Expo provides a good opportunity for suppliers to display their latest health-related elevator products.”

Southeast Asia

New, resurrected high rises planned for major cities.

Developer Plans Two-Tower Residential Project in Kuala Lumpur

A developer is moving forward with a two-tower residential project in Kuala Lumpur’s Tun Razak Exchange (TRX) international financial district, the New Straits Times reported in March. The project, to be known as TRX Residences, will consist of 53- and 57-story towers holding 443 and 453 serviced apartments, respectively. Developer LQ Residential, a joint venture between Lendlease and TRX City Sdn Bhd, entered into a MYR530-million (US$121-million) construction contract with IJM Construction Sdn Bhd for the project. The development will include a seven-level podium, elevated and basement parking facilities, a mezzanine floor and ground-floor commercial space. It is being designed to meet the Green Building Initiative Gold designation, as well as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design accreditation. Construction is expected to be complete by May 2023.

Meeting Revives Stalled Projects in Ho Chi Minh City

A recent meeting between municipal leaders and real estate business owners in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, has led to the revival of pending housing investment projects, Saigon Daututaichinh reported. Authorities plan to study difficulties facing these projects and the reasons for their delay before gradually resolving all issues, which should enable completion of construction that has been stalled for years. One project under consideration is the Charmington Iris Apartment Trade and Service Center, which involves construction of two 35-story buildings that would hold a total of 1,438 apartments. Another high-rise project, at 67 Mai Chi Tho Street, could be revived under the agreement, and another large project at 628-630 Vo Van Kiet Street would involve commercial centers, hotels, offices and luxury apartments to be built on a 31,000-m2 site. Developers hope to get the huge Water Bay project, a 12-building complex of 5,000 apartments, 3,000 “officetels” and 250 retail shops, on track. That one remains tied up in legalities regarding the use of public land.