Jin Mao Tower

Centred in the heart of Shanghai, the Jin Mao Tower is not only overshadowed in old-fashioned beauty but also quite literally overshadowed by its bigger yet younger brothers Shanghai World Financial Centre and the soon-to-be megatall structure known throughout the world as the Shanghai Tower. However, this lack of fame and comparative height does not conceal its glory: TSS brings you these factoids about this true Super Scraper:

1. Comparable to that of Taipei 101, the building's shape draws on traditional Chinese forms, especially the tiered pagoda.

Jin Mao Tower and it's tiered
pagoda-based design

2. When first completed, it was not only the tallest building and structure in Shanghai but in the whole of China as well.

3. Designed by Skidmore, Owings and Perrill, it reportedly has a daily maintenance cost of a staggering 120,000 US dollars, which is nearly the equivalent of 80,000 British pound sterling. Wowzers! Someone's got deep pockets!

4. Similar yet superior to many Super Scrapers, it can withstand winds up to a driving force of 200km per hour! And can sway 75cm in these circumstances!

5. Famous skyscraper climber Alain Robert attempted and failed to scale the Jin Mao and faced the consequence of illegally climbing the building (not a first time) behind metal bars in a Chinese prison. Robert, who unsuccessfully applied for permission to climb the tower shortly before, was stopped halfway up by a Chinese copper, got himself thrown into jail for a week and finally became banished from the nation. This is why there are no Chinese buildings on his otherwise impressive C.V.

6. It includes several bars, nightclubs, hotels, restaurants, shops and offices, making it one of the world's first proper 'vertical cities'.

Stat Attack!!!

Jin Mao Tower

Official Name: Jin Mao Tower

Alternative Names: Jinmao Tower, Jinmao Building, Jin Mao Building

Country: China

City: Shanghai

Street Address: 88 Century Avenue

Construction Started: 1994

Completed: 1999

Global Ranking: #14 in the world

Continental Ranking: #9 in Asia

National Ranking: #6 in China

City Ranking: #2 in Shanghai

Height: 421 m (1,380 ft.)

Architect: Skidmore, Owings and Merrill