August 2, 2000

Design Detailings: Grand Gateway opens

The massive Grand Gateway project in Shanghai has opened. The 1.1 million-square-foot project, which includes a seven-level retail podium and a 34-story residential tower, is designed to expand to even larger proportions as the economy grows.

Grand Gateway Shanghai Photos courtesy Callison/Chris Eden

Designed by Callison Architecture for developer Hang Lung, the multi-use complex placed retail, entertainment and residential space next to Xuijahui subway station, one of Shanghai's main transportation arteries. There are strategic links through the subway to the retail and residential areas.

The project introduces Western-style retailing in Shanghai, with a kaleidoscope of environments. Visitors have a choice of areas that intentionally evoke Paris and Hollywood as well as traditional Chinese zones.

Callison has been involved in the $600 million project since 1993, leading the efforts of a 25-member design team and an associate architecture firm. The project included dozens of subconsultants and specialists, the contractor and more than 100 government agencies.

Callison is currently involved in several projects in Korea.

The Suwon Gateway Plaza and the Guro Center Complex are located in urban transit hubs. Suwon is a public/private partnership being developed as a regional retail center for the city of Suwon. Guro Center, in Seoul, features three residential towers, a retail galleria, a multi-screen cineplex, a swimming pool and sports centers, restaurants and parking.

One of Korea's largest development firms, Daelim Construction, has selected Callison to design the Chamsil Acrovill residential towers in Seoul. Callison is providing architecture and master planning services in collaboration with Seoul-based Heerim Architects and Engineers, and Group-3 of Korea. Construction is expected to begin in September 2000 and once complete, the project will be a five-tower, 1,000-unit residential complex on top of a six-level podium that includes office, retail, residential and athletic facilities. Acrovill is the heart of an area known for sports complexes that will host the 2002 Asian games.