China is home to the world’s tallest abandoned, and the world’s first, incomplete building. The Goldin Finance 117 is a ‘supertall’ skyscraper located in Tianjin, northern China, which stands at a height of a staggering 597 metres. The building is one of the many skyscrapers across the country, and was also one of the failed skyscraper projects responsible for the government’s ban on constructing buildings over 500 metres.
Construction of the skyscraper began in 2008, with the goal of completing it by 2014. However, just two years later, in 2010, building work was halted due to the Great Recession. Work then restarted in 2011, pushing the completion year to between 2018 and 2019. Yet, in 2015, the building was topped out, making it the fifth-tallest building in the world at the time.
Now, 10 years later, the skyscraper remains abandoned.
The building designed by P&T Group features 128 levels, of which 117 are for housing, hotels, and commercial spaces. The total completion cost is estimated to be around $77.5 million (over £58 million).
The ‘walking stick’ design is topped with a diamond-shaped atrium featuring a swimming pool and observation deck, with offices and 5-star hotels being part of the plan for the upper floors.
According to Union Ray, one major aspect of the skyscraper is that it was built using advanced technology to make it tough against any potential earthquakes.
Though this is not the end of Golden Fiance 117’s story. After 10 years of being desolate, Chinese authorities approved the resumption of construction. In April of this year, it was announced that a new permit for construction was issued to P&T Group and BGI Engineering Consultants.
Goldin Properties Holding, which was previously in charge of the building when it was being constructed, will no longer be in charge. This is because the company was affected by a stock market crash that hit China in 2015, resulting in its closure.
Information regarding the names behind the funding of the project remains unknown, but the new completion date is set for 2027.