A landmark tower and large commercial center came under construction in the Jida Business Circle on April 12 heralding the first phase of the world-class City Heart urban complex.

The second phase entails a 43,000-sqm (11-acre) business complex and 280-m (919-ft) tower for office areas and hotels. Grade-A office buildings, shopping centers, boutique hotels, and upscale apartments are to spring up in four years.

Rendering of world-class City Heart urban complex between Jingshan and Haibin roads [Photo courtesy Zhuhai Huafa Group]

Huafa Group oversees planning, design, relocation compensation, construction, and operation. The area is to be rejuvenated into a fusion of commercial, residential, and recreation uses. The core district should increase land and development value, stimulate activities in the surrounding sites, revitalize the city image, protect existing local population by providing adequate resettlement housing, and become a new landmark.

Over the past decade, the Jida Business Circle off Jingshan Road had been popular for leisure activities and shopping. It housed time-honored business complexes, starred hotels, and financial institutions including the Duty-Free Emporium, Zhuhai Department Store, Zhuhai International Trade (Guomao) Shopping Plaza, Crowne Plaza Zhuhai City Center, and Everbright (Guangda) Building.

However, run-down building and site appearances, traffic jams, low intensification of land use, unreasonable layout, and lack of public services and support facilities ruined that image during rapid urban development.

Covering 550,000 sqm (136 acres) in all, the project consists of the Core, Central, and Nanshan areas, which correspond respectively to the Jida Business Circle and Jida and Nanshan industrial zones. Planning for the Central and Nanshan areas is underway.