Gate to the East explained

Gate to the East (东方之门)
Alternate Names:Gate of the Orient or The Pants Building
Status:Completed
Start Date:June 7, 2004
Completion Date:May 13, 2016
Building Type:commercial, transportation
Location:Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
Coordinates:31.3169°N 120.6789°W
Map Type:China
Height:301.81NaN1
Floor Count:68
Floor Area:450000m2
Elevator Count:6
Architect:RMJM
Cost:$700,000,000 (USD) (Budget)
References:[1]

The Gate to the East, also known as the Gate of the Orient, is the second tallest building in Suzhou, Jiangsu, China behind Suzhou IFS. It is intended to be a symbol of a gateway to the city which emphasizes the city's continuing significance in modern China. With a height of 301.8m (990.2feet), the building is located in the heart of Suzhou's China–Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP) district. Construction began in 2004 and was completed in 2016 at a cost of $700 million USD. Its location precisely indicates the intersection of the historical east-west-axis of Suzhou Old Town with the west bank of Jinji Lake.

Criticism

Though its design was intended to evoke a gateway, the Gate to the East has been subjected to mockery by many Chinese netizens and western mass media as well, as "resembling a pair of panties".[2] [3] [4] The landmark has thus led to a slew of internet parodies.

Transport

at Dongfangzhimen Station

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Gate of the Orient, Suzhou, China – Portfolio . RMJM . 2012-11-22.
  2. Web site: British-designed skyscraper resembles big pants, say angry Chinese . Telegraph . 2012-09-04 . 2012-11-22.
  3. Web site: $700 million skyscraper 'resembles a pair of pants' . News.com.au . 2012-09-05 . 2012-11-22 . 2012-11-17 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121117000146/http://www.news.com.au/travel/news/m-skyscraper-resembles-pair-of-pants/story-e6frfq80-1226465544901 . dead .
  4. Web site: Netizens: New China building is 'pants' | CNN Travel . Travel.cnn.com . 2012-09-07 . 2012-11-22.