Chicago-based Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture (AS+GG) were victorious in a competition for the Shimao Shenzhen Longgang Master Plan and the associated tower, Shenzhen-Hong Kong International Center.

Set between the foothills of Longcheng Park and the Dayun National Park, the site is adjacent to several major sporting venues.

At the heart of the plans is a new 700-metre tower which AS+GG said references anthropomorphic characteristics, offering a new sculptural icon for northwest Shenzhen’s skyline.

In the evenings, the tower itself will be a visual, sound, and light show, reinforcing the district’s athletic and entertainment purposes. The tower’s top has one of the world’s highest observation experiences and additional club facilities that include a restaurant, a night club, spa services, and a grand swimming pool, all with views of Shenzhen and beyond.

The mixed-use district that surrounds and connects with the tower contains a five-star hotel, offices, and conference facilities. A major retail facility defines the northeast corner of the site, while a community of apartment towers occupies the northwest section.

AS+GG design partner Adrian Smith, said: “The Shenzhen-Hong Kong International Center is anthropomorphic in its character, representing and honoring in an abstract way the athletes that train and struggle to have the opportunity to perform in the world-class stadiums, arenas, and natatorium directly adjacent to and integrated into the overall AS+GG master plan for this project.

“In this way, it adds a subtle layer of contextualism to the activities that these performance spaces contain. The result is a muscular expression in high-performance glass with layers of texture that define the elements of its shaped form. At the towers top will be a spectacular performance space combined with one of the world’s highest observation experiences, which will bring tourists to the tower for the stunning views of Shenzhen and keep them coming back for programmed performances and entertainment experiences.”