Sky
Taipei 101 is much more
than Taiwan’s tallest building.
WORDS SHARON MASIGE • IMAGES RICH MATHESONT
owering 508 metres from ground to tip, Taipei 101 (formerly
Taipei World Financial Center) is Taiwan’s slightly taller answer
to New York’s Empire State Building. Aptly renamed for its
101 floors – making it the tallest building in Taiwan – the tower
is an architectural marvel. Its features are derived from Chinese
culture, with its structure emulating Chinese pagodas. The tower
is separated into eight sections; eight being the Chinese lucky number and a sign
of prosperity. And with its pale green glass walls – which are both heat reflective
and energy efficient – the tower evokes a bamboo shoot, a traditional symbol
of strength.
Towering over the Xinyi District, Taipei 101 was originally created with the
aim of becoming the banking hub of the Asia–Pacific. But with Hong Kong,
Shanghai and Singapore already cornering that market, the tower’s leases were
diversified to include other businesses. “We host not just financial institutions
but any kind of business,” says Taipei 101 Chairman Joseph Chou. “Our leisure
businesses attract close to three million visitors annually.”
From local businesses to high-end international brands including Dior,
Bulgari, Apple, and Tiffany & Co., Taipei 101 has become a thriving business
centre. “We are already at full occupancy, and yet there are many prospective
tenant enquiries,” Joseph says. “The tenant mix is evolving all the time. »122 | theceomagazine.com