Center of Attention
No, it’s not a mistake. While we realize the CBD and Wangfujing areas are clearly not one and the same, we figure they might as well be. Each is a hub of the city’s largest international businesses, commercial complexes (think SOHO China and Oriental Plaza) and top of the line serviced apartments. Both zones are already way ahead of the curve, and it doesn’t look like they will be stopping any time in the near future. With the upcoming opening of the Shama Luxe Chang An residence this April, Wangfujing will soon be kicking luxury living up a notch; meanwhile the CBD will be showing Beijingers a new way to be “green” with the unveiling of the Prosper Center, the city’s first LEED-certified building. Combined with big-screen cinemas such as Wanda and Star City, and large shopping plazas like Shin Kong Place and The Malls, these two commercial and business sectors provide the ultimate combination of entertainment, residential and business options, making them the perfect choice for people who strive to be where it’s at-for a price, of course.

Quick Facts

Perfect for: Big city dwellers
Who lives here: international business people and retailers
Culinary hot spots: Mare Nostrum, Made in China
Notable developments: Wanda Movie Cineplex, Oriental Plaza
Look out for: Phase 3 of the China World Trade Center

Retail Space

SOHO Shangdu
Developed by the same company that brought you the boutique hotel Commune by the Great Wall, SOHO China’s Shangdu complex was considered their first “purely commercial product” containing none of the residential spaces found in its CBD counterparts. Designed by Australian architect Peter Davidson, founder of Lab Architecture Studio and winner of the 1997 competition over Melbourne’s controversial Federation Square, Davidson’s signature odd angles and mirrored surfaces carry over well in contemporary Beijing. In fact, following the completion of SOHO Shangdu, Davidson went on to receive the 2007 Royal Australian Institute of Architects’ Award for International Architecture, firmly cementing SOHO Shangdu’s place alongside all the top names of Beijing’s thriving architectural scene. The complex itself is home to an astounding 172,176 sq meters of floor space, with approximately 37,000 sq meters dedicated to retail alone. The mall features two bright and airy atriums, ideal for large events and promotions, five sunken gardens and a host of well-known brands and small boutiques, providing shoppers with a nice reprieve from the typical corporate department store. And, with 80 percent of its 450 shops opening onto the street, you can bet that SOHO Shangdu receives its fair share of external visitors on top of the steady stream of office personnel.
Already a recognized name in Beijing, SOHO China displays no sign of stopping. The opening of SOHO Sanlitun later this year will also mark the opening of the largest commercial and residential space (465, 680 sq meters) in Beijing to date, and by the looks of it, that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Address: 8 Dongdaqiao Lu 东大桥路8号.Tel: 5869-6669.
Web: http://www.sohochina.com/en/shangdu/

EDITOR’S PICK

Ascott Beijing 北京雅诗阁服务公寓
Strategically located in the heart of the CBD near the China World Trade Center and Jianwai SOHO, this serviced residence caters especially to top executives looking for discreet service and elegant living. Future residents can choose from a comprehensive selection of layouts ranging from one-bedroom suites to duplex penthouses, spanning anywhere between 99 to 380 sq meters in size. All units come fully-furnished with satellite TVs, DVD players and open kitchens equipped for all your cooking needs. Meanwhile, a wide selection of food and beverage outlets such as Subway, ensure that tired guests will find a tasty tidbit suitable to their palates. Additional services and facilities include a 24-hour mini mart and complimentary shuttle bus to Walmart and Carrefour, making shopping for household necessities that much easier. Business dealings are also made easy thanks to the onsite business center and function rooms, which come fully-equipped with video conferencing and broadband wireless internet capabilities.

Address: 108B Jian Guo Road 建国路乙108号
Property Management: Ascott International
Tel: 6567-8100
Toll Free: 400-820-1028
Fax: 6567-8122
Web: http://www.the-ascott.com

Office General

China Central Place 创机华贸中心
Whether you’re a swanky corporation or a start-up looking for a prestigious address, take a look at Office General in China Central Place. One of few serviced offices in Beijing offering single office suites capable of providing for the needs of larger clients, Office General features office spaces that can easily accomodate up to 20 people. The company’s CCP center also provides onsite video-conferencing and fully-equipped meeting rooms to attend to all your business needs. The nearby health club and serviced apartments will please long-term residents while short-term business travellers can stay in the Ritz Carlton or JW Marriott next door. IT innnovations are Office General’s strong point, with the company’s Officewyze ERP software providing the backbone for any mobile professional-Cin fact, with any lease in any Office General location, clients will also be connected into a full-service virtual office anywhere in the world. As long as there is access to the internet, clients will be able to receive e-faxes and voicemail from their office phone. Office General receptionists will answer calls in each company’s name and forward all calls to your mobile device.

Address: 9th floor, Tower II, 79 Jianguo Lu朝阳区建国路甲6号, 2塔9层
Tel: 5920-4300
Fax: 5920-4222
Email: beijing@officegeneral.com

Preview

Hopson International Park 合生国际花园
Hopson International Park is situated on the inner side of East Third Ring Road, 600 meters south of the World Trade Center and Jianwai SOHO, and 500 meters south of Shuangjing Bridge. Also found within this area are a Century Mart supermarket, Bank of China, China Construction Bank and Beijing City International School. Residents will also appreciate the variety of nearby health clinics such as Bayley & Jackson Medical Center, Vista Clinic and Chuiyangliu Hospital, each ready to satisfy all your medical needs. Offering a variety of layouts ranging from 47 sq meter studios to 200 sq meter, 5-bedroom townhouses, all residences come with home maintenance, car parking, and real estate agent and hotel lounge services. Phase 2 begins this April and can be rented for US$11/sq meter. Price to buy is ￥25,000/sq. meter.
Address: 31 Guanximen光熙门31号 Tel: 8779 8779

Review

Gemdale City Crown 金地名京
Gemdale City Crown is located right on Chang’an Jie at Sihui Bridge, just two kilometers away from the World Trade Center and 200 meters away from Sihui subway station (Line 1). Spread across 120,000 sq meters of space, this residential complex features one broad main building on the northern end, with four towers at the south and an Italian-style garden in the middle. Layouts range from 75-90 sq meter loft apartments and 84-100 sq meter fully furnished apartments complete with two living room spaces, perfect for house parties or private clubs. With Shin Kong Place, Wanda Cineplex, Chaoyang Hospital and Fangcaodi Elementary School all located just minutes away, residents will not have to look far to realize that all the bases are covered. Price to buy ranges from ￥19,000-23,000/sq meter; price to rent is US$ 12.5/sq meter.
Address: East Fourth Ring Rd东四环

Where You Work

The Tower Offices at Oriental Plaza
Kody Hennessey, Sales Consultant
As the global leader in office furniture, Steelcase International is a great company to work for. There’s more to office furniture than you think and I like being able to sell a product that is creative and unique while creating an innovative work environment for our clients at an economic cost. I also love the Corporate Culture and Steelcase maintains an open atmosphere encouraging employees to enjoy life. In addition, the central location is a huge plus. The Beijing Worklife Showroom is located in the Office Tower Complex of Oriental Plaza, expecially chosen for its wide range of amenities, restaurants and subway stop located right within the complex.