After nearly a decade of design, development, and construction, Safdi Architects is nearing completion of its latest project in China: Chongqing Raffles City. This dynamic mixed-use complex spans 22.7 acres in the densely populated Yuzhong District, integrating office, residential, hotel, retail, and entertainment facilities.
Situated at the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers, the site is historically significant as the former entrance to Chaotianmen. Once the largest city gate and a key port terminal, Chaotianmen played a vital role in welcoming emperors and driving the development of Chongqing, an inland city that has grown into one of the fastest expanding urban centers worldwide, now home to over 30 million people.
△ Functional Analysis Diagram
Chongqing Raffles City began its phased opening in September 2019 with the launch of a 220,000 square meter, five-story retail area, which remained in operation until early 2020. The official inauguration of “The Crystal” — a 300-meter-long horizontal skyscraper located 250 meters above ground — marks the project’s final phase. This structure connects four of the eight towers, showcasing Safdi Architecture Firm’s response to the unique urban context, mountainous landscape, and extreme climate.
The design thoughtfully addresses urban density, community connectivity, and urban renewal within a highly developed city center. This marks the fourth collaboration between Safdi Architects and Jiade Land, one of Asia’s largest real estate developers.
With over 1 million square meters of total construction area, Chongqing Raffles City stands as one of Safdi Architecture Firm’s most ambitious and complex projects. It continues the firm’s exploration of vertical communities, livable urban environments, and thoughtfully connected public spaces.
Like other Safdi projects, Chongqing Raffles prioritizes maximizing sunlight, fresh air, greenery, and scenic views. The complex’s diverse functions are distributed across eight slender towers rising above retail platforms, featuring open rooftop parks and civic squares that connect directly to elevated city streets. To accommodate Chongqing’s mountainous terrain, the retail platform offers multiple entrances at varying elevations.
The Crystal Corridor
The Crystal Corridor is a 300-meter-long horizontal skyscraper connecting four towers and linked to two taller towers via bridges. This elevated structure encompasses 15,000 square meters of amenities, including gardens, diverse dining venues, bars, event spaces, residential clubs, infinity pools, and hotel lobbies.
Visitors can enjoy a public observatory with a glass-bottomed open-air deck offering stunning views of the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers’ confluence. Safdi Architects continue their innovative ‘Sky Park’ concept, as seen in Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands, by connecting buildings through this elevated corridor, creating ample aerial public space within the dense urban fabric.
The corridor is enclosed by a hexagonal glass and steel frame with a serrated elliptical cross-section, providing abundant natural light, panoramic views, and year-round garden landscapes. Its west-facing hexagonal metal panels and east-facing glass balance morning sunlight and afternoon shade. Designed to withstand seismic activity, the structure “floats” on large bearings atop the towers to accommodate movement.
Shopping Centers and Sky Gardens
The shopping center spans five floors with a spacious rooftop park overlooking the historic Chaotianmen Square. Three main shopping centers align with the city’s primary north-south streets, creating a continuous flow. The shopping corridor, situated between the towers, forms an indoor “street” that runs through the retail platform and leads directly to the square.
A skylight above the shopping area floods the indoor streets with natural light. Additionally, two galleries span the platform east-west, offering visitors spectacular views of the Jialing and Yangtze Rivers. The square is punctuated by an intersection node that helps visitors orient themselves within the expansive 220,000 square meter complex.
The private garden adjacent to the residential tower adds greenery and openness, overlooking the Jialing and Yangtze Rivers. The park features prominent public artworks, including sculptures by renowned Chinese artists Zheng Lu and Jiao Xingtao.
The Towers
Chongqing Raffles City comprises eight towers: six southern towers reaching up to 250 meters and two northern towers rising to 350 meters. The tower layout follows the internal logic of the retail plaza while aligning with the surrounding street grid, providing clear orientation within the city.
These towers frame “city windows” offering panoramic views of the city and the two rivers. The north-facing façades feature distinctive “sail” elements, unifying the towers’ appearance and reinforcing the concept of “sailing towards the sky.” These sails also mitigate the impact of outdoor floodlighting at night without obstructing views.
Of the eight towers, five serve as residential buildings, including the tallest residential tower in China — one of the northern 350-meter towers. The other 350-meter tower primarily accommodates office space, transitioning into a hotel via a greenhouse floor.
Project Details
Project Type: Mixed-Use Development, Architecture
Location: Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China
Architectural Firm: Safdi Architects
Area: 1,000,000 m²
Completion Year: 2020
Design Architect: Safdi Architects
Executive Architect: P&T Group International Limited
Design Institute: CQADI (Chongqing Architectural Design Institute)
Client: CapitaLand
Structural Engineering: Arup
Mechanical Engineering: Parsons Brinckerhoff
Landscape Architects: Williams, Asselin, Ackaoui & Associates
Facade Engineering: ALT
Wayfinding and Signage Design: Pentagram + Entro
Lighting Consultant: BPI (Brandston Partnership Incorporated)
Interior Design (Retail): The Buchan Group
LEED Consulting: Arup
Quantity Surveyor: Rider Levett Bucknall
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