CapitaLand has written a new world record as it embarks on the complex crowning process for Raffles City Chongqing, the new 1.12 million-square-metre urban district located on Chongqing’s famed Chaotianmen riverfront. 

The crowning process features the extraordinary engineering feat of erecting a curved accordion-shaped “horizontal skyscraper” – measuring 300 metres in length, 30 metres in width and 22.5 metres in height – above four 250-metre-tall towers at a total height of more than 400 metres above sea level. 

Raffles City Chongqing now holds the world’s record as the development with the highest sky bridge linking the most number of towers.

Lim Ming Yan, president CapitaLand, said: “Raffles City Chongqing is by far the largest and most complex integrated development that CapitaLand has undertaken. 

“Erecting the Conservatory marks the culmination of five years of construction progress and a grand milestone in outlining Raffles City Chongqing’s image of a powerful sail surging forward, as it prepares to welcome the world in 2019.

“The hoisting of the Conservatory is not only a significant moment for Raffles City Chongqing, it marks a global milestone in the field of architecture and engineering.

“Some of the world’s most advanced construction and engineering techniques have been deployed to install this megastructure on Chaotianmen, known as the crown jewel of Chongqing.

“CapitaLand is proud to have achieved this phenomenal structural engineering breakthrough of connecting skyscrapers, and we will continue to stay ahead of the curve by breaking new grounds in real estate development.”

Lim added: “More than just a building, Raffles City Chongqing is a landmark urban renewal project that expresses and shapes Chongqing’s global city aspirations.

“As the master planner of this important site, CapitaLand fully appreciates the historical and cultural significance of Chaotianmen to the people of Chongqing.

“We have thus gone to great lengths to imbue the project with the highest standards of liveability, connectivity and sustainability by carefully studying the needs of the community and the unique attributes of the site.

“Our goal is to create a vibrant riverfront urban district that serves as a dynamic city gateway befitting of Chongqing’s growing economic influence.”

Occupying 9.2 hectares of site area, Raffles City Chongqing brings together a 230,000-sq m shopping mall, 160,000-sq m of grade A office space, 1,400 residential apartments, Ascott Raffles City Chongqing serviced residence and a luxury hotel.