Shanghai World Financial Center facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Quick facts for kids Shanghai World Financial Center
上海环球金融中心
The Shanghai World Financial Center in March 2017
General information
Status	Completed
Type	Office, hotel, museum, observation, parking garage, retail
Architectural style	Neo-Futurism
Location	100 Century Avenue, Pudong, Shanghai
Construction started	27 August 1997
Completed	2008
Opening	28 August 2008
Cost	RMB ¥ 8.17 billion (USD $ 1.20 billion)
Owner	Shanghai World Financial Center Co., Ltd. (Mori Building Company)
Height
Architectural	492 m (1,614.2 ft)
Tip	494.3 m (1,621.7 ft)
Roof	487.4 m (1,599.1 ft)
Top floor	474 m (1,555.1 ft)
Observatory	474 m (1,555.1 ft)
Technical details
Floor count	101 (3 below ground)
Floor area	381,600 m² (4,107,500 sq ft)
Lifts/elevators	91 + 33 escalators
Design and construction
Architect	Kohn Pedersen Fox
Developer	Mori Building Co.
Structural engineer	Leslie E. Robertson Associates RLLP
Main contractor	China State Construction Engineering Corp and Shanghai Construction (Group) General Co.

The Shanghai World Financial Center (SWFC) is a super tall skyscraper in Shanghai, China. It is located in the Pudong area, a modern part of the city. This amazing building was designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox, a famous architectural firm.

The SWFC is a "mixed-use" building. This means it has many different purposes inside. You can find offices, hotels, meeting rooms, and even shopping areas on the ground floor. It also has special observation decks where people can enjoy incredible views of the city. The Park Hyatt Shanghai hotel is inside the tower, from the 79th to the 93rd floors. When it opened, it was the highest hotel in the world!

The SWFC was finished in 2008. It stands at 492 meters (1,614 feet) tall. At that time, it was the second tallest building in the world, right after Taipei 101. It was also the tallest building in China. Today, the SWFC is part of a special group of three super tall skyscrapers in Shanghai. These are the SWFC, the Shanghai Tower, and the Jin Mao Tower.

Building the SWFC: A Quick Look
- Why Did Construction Stop?
- How the Building Grew
What Makes the SWFC Special?
Who Works in the SWFC?
How to Get There
Awards and Recognition
Images for kids
See also

Building the SWFC: A Quick Look

The idea for the Shanghai World Financial Center started a long time ago. Its design was created by the American company Kohn Pedersen Fox. Construction was planned to begin in 1997.

Why Did Construction Stop?

Building work had to pause for a while. This happened because of a big money problem called the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis. After that, the building plans were changed a bit by the Mori Building Company, which was developing the tower.

Many different companies helped pay for the building. Banks from China, Japan, and Hong Kong, along with investors from America and Europe, all contributed.

How the Building Grew

The first stone for the tower was placed on August 27, 1997. After the financial crisis, work started again on November 16, 2003. The building's height was increased from 460 meters to 492 meters. This also meant adding more floors, from 94 to 101 stories.

In 2007, there was a small fire in the building while it was still being built. It happened on the 40th floor. Luckily, no one was hurt, and the damage was not serious.

The SWFC reached its full height on September 14, 2007. This is called being "topped out." The building was officially opened on August 28, 2008. Just two days later, on August 30, 2008, the amazing observation decks opened to visitors.

What Makes the SWFC Special?

The Shanghai World Financial Center has a very unique look. The most noticeable part is the trapezoid (a shape with four sides, two of which are parallel) hole near the top.

The Famous Hole at the Top

Originally, the design had a round hole at the top. This was meant to help with strong winds. It also looked like a traditional Chinese "moon gate." However, some people in China thought the round hole looked too much like the rising sun symbol on the Japanese flag.

So, the designers changed it. In 2005, they decided to make the hole a trapezoid shape instead of a circle. This change also made it cheaper and easier to build. Because of its unique shape, many people jokingly call the building "the bottle opener"! You can even buy bottle opener souvenirs shaped like the building in its gift shop.

Observation Decks: Views from the Sky

The SWFC has three different observation decks. These are special floors where visitors can go to see the city from very high up.

The lowest deck is on the 94th floor, at 423 meters (1,388 feet) high.
The second deck is on the 97th floor, at 439 meters (1,440 feet) high.
The highest deck is on the 100th floor, at 474 meters (1,555 feet) high. This deck gives you incredible panoramic views!

The roof of the skyscraper is 492 meters (1,614 feet) tall. At one point, it was the highest roof in the world! The building has more than 377,300 square meters (4 million square feet) of space. It also has 91 elevators and 33 escalators to help people move around.

How the Building Stays Strong

The trapezoid hole at the top is made of strong steel and concrete. This design helps the building stand strong against many forces. These forces include wind, the weight of people inside, and heavy equipment. The building uses a special "diagonal-braced frame" to carry these forces safely down to the ground. This smart design helps the building use less steel and makes it lighter.

Who Works in the SWFC?

The Shanghai World Financial Center is home to many important international companies. Most of these companies are involved in banking, insurance, and money management. Some of the well-known companies include Ernst & Young, Morgan Stanley, and BNP Paribas. Even Google has an office in the SWFC, located on the 60th and 61st floors.

How to Get There

You can easily reach the Shanghai World Financial Center by using the Shanghai Metro. Line 2 goes to Lujiazui Station, which is about a 10-minute walk from the building.

Awards and Recognition

The Shanghai World Financial Center has won several awards for its design. In 2008, architects named it the best skyscraper completed that year. It received awards from the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH).

Experts praised its simple yet powerful shape. They also noted its clever structural design. One architect, Tim Johnson, said its structure was "nothing short of genius." He explained that the steel supports help protect the building from strong winds and earthquakes, making it lighter and more sustainable.

Images for kids

The SWFC under construction in February 2006.
The Shanghai World Financial Center compared with other Asian skyscrapers.
The Shanghai World Financial Center from a distance.
The top of the building, showing the trapezoid aperture.
Shanghai World Financial Center, visible behind the Oriental Pearl Tower.
Inside the tower's observation deck.
Shanghai World Financial Center (left) and the Jin Mao Tower.
The Shanghai World Financial Center and Jin Mao Tower adjacent to each other.
The SWFC at night.
The SWFC next to the Jin Mao Tower.
The SWFC beside the Shanghai Tower at night.
The SWFC under construction.
The SWFC under construction.
The SWFC under construction in May 2007.
The SWFC beside Jin Mao Tower.
The Shanghai World Financial Center pictured at night.
The aperture under construction at the top of the building.
A mural depicting the original circular design of the aperture.
The SWFC, Jin Mao Tower and incomplete Shanghai Tower (far right) in August 2012.
The SWFC, Jin Mao Tower, and the Shanghai Tower near completion in January 2014.
View of Jin Mao Tower from the SWFC observation deck.
Top of the building.
Shanghai World Financial Tower seen from Shanghai Tower, 2016.