Chang-Gu World Trade Center

The Chang-Gu World Trade Center (Chinese: 長谷世貿聯合國大樓; pinyin: Zhǎnggǔ Shìmào Liánhéguó Dàlóu), also known as Grand 50 Tower, is a 222 metres (728 ft) tall skyscraper in Sanmin District of Kaohsiung, Taiwan. It was completed in 1992 and was designed by C.Y. Lee & Partners. It was the first building in Taiwan to reach a height of 50 floors, as is highlighted by its alternative name.

Chang-Gu World Trade Center
Zhǎnggǔ Shìmào Liánhéguó Dàlóu
Chang-Gu World Trade Center
Alternative namesGrand 50 Tower
Record height
Tallest in Taiwan from 1992 (1992) to 1993 (1993)[I]
Preceded byAsia-Pacific Financial Plaza
Surpassed byShin Kong Life Tower
General information
StatusComplete
TypeSkyscraper
Architectural styleOriental revivalism
ClassificationCommercial
LocationSanmin District
Address80 Min-Tzu 1st Road
Town or cityKaohsiung City
CountryTaiwan
Coordinates22°38′35.2″N 120°18′53.7″E
Completed1992 (1992)
ClientChang Ku Building Company
Height
Architectural222 metres (728 ft)
Tip222 metres (728 ft)
Technical details
Floor count55 (50 above and 5 below)
Grounds83,310 square metres (896,700 sq ft)
Design and construction
Architecture firmC.Y. Lee & Partners
Structural engineerEvergreen Consulting Engineering
Main contractorTurner Construction
Other information
Parking281-space underground parking garage

History

After its completion in 1992, the Chang-Gu World Trade Center became the tallest building in Taiwan surpassing the 169.8 meters high Asia-Pacific Financial Plaza in Kaohsiung. However, it only kept this title for 6 months when the Shin Kong Life Tower in Taipei was completed on 21 December 1993. It kept the title as the tallest building in Kaohsiung for 5 years until the completion of the Tuntex Sky Tower in 1997. The building is currently the 188th tallest building in the world and 5th tallest in Taiwan.

The building follows a Chinese pagoda style and has an octagonal base to be stable against high winds which are typical in Taiwan as it is prone to typhoons. During the buildings test phase, it was tested to pressures equivalent of wind speeds in excess of 300 mph (480 km/h). It was also tested to withstand earthquakes which are commonplace in Taiwan.

The buildings crown follows the same perimeter as the rest of the building however it stands on an elaborate, thin base. The underside of the crown is lit up at night however the rest is not. The top is home to the Grand 50 Club which is managed by the Peninsula Group based in Hong Kong. The Grand 50 Club is known as a prestigious night-spot.

The building contains a car park with 280 spaces available. This located underneath the building, covering five underground floors. The atrium is 21 stories high and is clad in Spanish granite. At the top of the building is a helicopter pad.

Transportation
Chang-Gu World Trade Center

The building is accessible within walking distance North East from Kaohsiung Station of the Kaohsiung MRT or Taiwan Railway Administration.

See also
Preceded by
Asia-Pacific Financial Plaza		 Tallest building in Taiwan
1992 – 1993		 Succeeded by
Shin Kong Life Tower
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