Zhejiang World Trade Center to have new face

Hong Kong architectural and interior design practice Leigh & Orange (L&O) has been engaged to redesign the Zhejiang World Trade Center in Hangzhou.

Built in 1987, the centre was originally designed as a key foreign trade venue during the early years of Chinese economic reform. With the concept of a transit-oriented development, the new design will help rezone the hotel/office/convention centre clusters to become a catalyst for the business community.

In heart of the Huanglong financial district, near West Lake, the project is primarily an underground redevelopment with a construction area of 79,250sqm, including 24,700sqm of commercial spaces. The basement retail will be seamlessly connected to the metro, forming a public gathering space and focal point for the community.

Central to the design is a “retail park” concept, featuring an indoor sport-themed arcade and an outdoor park trail. There will be two major retail anchors, a sports-themed concept store and a flagship bookstore.

L&O project director Kelvin Li says the project will help shape the future of the Huanglong district. “With the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, we hope to work hand-in-hand with Hangzhou Metro to transform this into a world-class mixed-used development. ”

Construction will start in April and is expected to complete in 2021.