Novotown
In November 2016, designs were unveiled by Aedas for a new cultural and entertainment complex called Novotown.
Located at the heart of Henggin Island in Zhuhai, China, the project is intended to become a major tourist destination and a cultural-creative hub for southeast Asia.
The complex takes the form of an open hand, with three towers as fingers and a central courtyard in the 'bowl' of the palm. According to Aedas, they drew on the open palm concept to imply that 'we grasp the past, present and future in the palm of our hands', as well as symbolising the 'passing on of the Chinese culture'.
At the podium level, the 120,000 sq. m cultural and entertainment complex features a shopping mall, a multi-purpose hall, a wedding pavilion and a healthcare and beauty centre. The three towers are the 490-room Hengqin Hyatt Regency Hotel, a 52,000 sq. m office tower and a cultural workshop tower.
In addition, there will be two indoor themed attractions – the National Geographic Ultimate Explorer and the Lionsgate Entertainment World .
Zhuhai Hengqin Laisun Creative Culture City have entered into a partnership with Village Roadshow Theme Parks to create the first themed immersive experience for the Hollywood studio Lionsgate. Spread across 22,000 sq. m, the centre will feature attractions, retail and dining experiences themed around some of Lionsgate's most popular film franchises, such as 'The Hunger Games'.
A tentative completion date for the project is set for 2018.
You can find out more about Novotown here.
Images courtesy of Aedas.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
A threat to the creativity that makes London special.
How can digital twins boost profitability within construction?
A brief description of a smart construction dashboard, collecting as-built data, as a s site changes forming an accurate digital twin.
Unlocking surplus public defence land and more to speed up the delivery of housing.
The Planning and Infrastructure bill oulined
With reactions from IHBC and others on its potential impacts.
Farnborough College Unveils its Half-house for Sustainable Construction Training.
Spring Statement 2025 with reactions from industry
Confirming previously announced funding, and welfare changes amid adjusted growth forecast.
Scottish Government responds to Grenfell report
As fund for unsafe cladding assessments is launched.
CLC and BSR process map for HRB approvals
One of the initial outputs of their weekly BSR meetings.
Architects Academy at an insulation manufacturing facility
Programme of technical engagement for aspiring designers.
Building Safety Levy technical consultation response
Details of the planned levy now due in 2026.
Great British Energy install solar on school and NHS sites
200 schools and 200 NHS sites to get solar systems, as first project of the newly formed government initiative.
600 million for 60,000 more skilled construction workers
Announced by Treasury ahead of the Spring Statement.
The restoration of the novelist’s birthplace in Eastwood.
Life Critical Fire Safety External Wall System LCFS EWS
Breaking down what is meant by this now often used term.
PAC report on the Remediation of Dangerous Cladding
Recommendations on workforce, transparency, support, insurance, funding, fraud and mismanagement.
New towns, expanded settlements and housing delivery
Modular inquiry asks if new towns and expanded settlements are an effective means of delivering housing.