Construction Resumes on Tianjin Skyscraper After a Decade Stalled

Tianjin at sunset. Image by 畅苏 from Pixabay

23 April 2025 | Tianjin, China

Construction is officially resuming on the long-delayed Tianjin 117 Tower. After years of inactivity, the project has secured a new construction permit and is scheduled to resume work on 30 April 2025, with a targeted completion date of April 2027.

Located at the junction of Tianjin’s Xiqing District and Binhai New Area, the skyscraper is part of the once-ambitious Goldin World complex originally proposed in 2007 by Goldin Properties. The broader plan included a central business district, luxury housing, and an international polo club, with a total investment of nearly CNY 70 billion.

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Tianjin 117 Building

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Arup

Otis Elevator Company

Dow

East China Architectural Design & Research Institute

Permasteelisa Group

CBRE

Construction began in 2008, and the tower topped out in 2015, reaching a structural height of 596.5 meters. It set multiple global records at the time, including the world’s highest observation deck at 579 meters and the highest indoor swimming pool at 564 meters. However, financial difficulties led to repeated suspensions, ownership changes, and legal disputes.

The new construction permit covers remaining work on the supertall and its east and west podiums. The scope includes 418,000 square meters of total construction, with a contract value of approximately CNY 569 million. The 128-story tower includes 369,000 square meters of floor space, while the podiums, each three stories tall, add roughly 48,600 square meters.

Despite the announced restart, uncertainty remains for its eventual completion. The project’s timeline may face pressure and in the broader context, China’s supertall building sector is undergoing regulatory tightening amid declining demand for commercial real estate. If completed, it would reemerge as a dominant landmark.

Learn more at China News