It continues the firm’s exploration of vertical neighbourhoods, liveable urban communities, and thoughtfully connected public spaces. Situated at the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing rivers, the historically significant site was once home to the city’s most important gateway and the imperial entrance to the city: Chaotian Gate.

Meanwhile, the associated Raffles City Chongqing complex is a resort of its own, with a 230,000 square metre shopping mall.

Following eight years of design, development, and construction, Safdie Architects is nearing completion on its latest project in China: Raffles City Chongqing, a vibrant complex which combines office, residential, hotel, retail, and recreational facilities across a 22.7 acre site, embedded within the densely developed Yuzhong district. InterContinental Debuts High-rise Hotel in Chongqing | DestinAsian DestinAsian | Asia's Award-winning Luxury Travel Magazine The project embodies a considered approach to issues of population density, community connectivity, and urban renewal within a highly developed city center.With a total built area of over 1 million square meters (approx. The area was also Chongqing’s foremost riverfront trading post which has traditionally driven development in this inland city, catalysing its evolution to become one of the world’s fastest growing and densest cities with a greater metropolitan population of over 30 million people.A phased opening of Raffles City Chongqing commenced in September 2019 with the unveiling of a 220,000 sq.m., five-story retail galleria and continues into early 2020, culminating with the opening of The Crystal, a 300m-long horizontal skyscraper perched at 250m and stretching across four of the development’s eight towers. The newly minted property is part of the monumental Raffles City complex on the banks of the Yangtze.

The 250-meter-long skybridge, named Crystal, is said to be one of the world's highest. 11 million square feet), it is one of the most complex projects to date.

"Positioned as a must-visit destination for local residents as well as domestic and overseas travelers, Raffles City Chongqing has been garnering strong response from our customers. "Occupying 9.2 hectares of site area, Raffles City Chongqing is CapitaLand's eighth Raffles City development in China.The others are in Beijing, Chengdu, Hangzhou, Ningbo, Shenzhen and Shanghai, which has two. The Raffles City Chongqing complex will also include a 230,000-square-meter shopping mall, 1,400 residential apartments, a luxury hotel and 160,000 square meters of lavish office space.The eighth and final skyscraper of the $3.8 billion megastructure was recently topped out, meaning Raffles City Chongqing is on course to open this year.The design was inspired by traditional Chinese sailing vessels, a nod to Chongqing's past as a trading center.The ambitious development is located in the center of the southwestern Chinese city, facing the intersection of the Yangtze and Jialing rivers.Developer CapitaLand, one of Asia's largest real estate companies, has announced it's now focusing on the structure's elaborate interior, with completion intended for the second quarter of 2019.According to Lucas Loh, deputy CEO and CIO of CapitaLand China, trees are being transported over to "enliven the skybridge," which will apparently feature the tallest observation deck in western China. Raffles City Chongqing now holds the world’s record as the development with the highest sky bridge linking the most number of towers.