The Wanghailou (Seaview Tower) Hotel began tumbling down on May 25 en route to becoming a modern business facility designed in Lingnan (Cantonese) architectural style and operated under internationalized management.

The new 20-story complex across from the renovated Wanghai (Seaview) Pavilion on North Haibin Road bordering Old Xiangzhou and Jida will be tripled in size. It will have floorage of 58,000 sq m (14 acres), 330 guestrooms and a two-level underground parking lot, as well as business conference, banquet catering, fitness, and recreational facilities.

Demolition of the Wanghailou Hotel on N Haibin Road [Photo by Li Jianshu / Zhuhai Daily]

Guangzhou Mobozhi Architecture Design intends for the hotel to blend in harmoniously with Xianglu Bay and City Balcony (now under construction), Shijing Mt, Haibin Park, Yeli Island, Zhuhai Opera House, and the Fisher Maiden statue.   

Demolition will take a month and be followed by ecological treatment of the 5,000-sq-m (1-acre) mountain slope and foundation pit construction. The brand-new hotel is to be ready by the 2024 Spring Festival, according to Fang Qinghai, vice president of Huafa Urban Operation, the general contractor.

The Wanghailou Hotel was built in 1980 and opened in 1988. It used to be the Number 1 Guesthouse of the Zhuhai Municipal People's Government. The restaurant has been a popular dining spot for many years. Over decades, many of its facilities have deteriorated and then the firefighting system failed to meet current standards.

In addition, outmoded and monotonous functions were also weakening its influence and competitiveness and creating serious operation difficulties. The reconstruction is expected to bring in internationalized and market-orient management concepts and improved service under the time-honored brand.