Aedas-designed Hong Leong City Center in Suzhou, China, recently opened its doors. As the first commercial project developed in China by Singapore-listed City Developments Limited, this mixed-use urban development in Suzhou Industrial Park offers hotel, office, retail, and serviced apartments programs with a 150-meter hotel and office tower, a 150-meter SOHO tower, two 100-meter residential towers and a central commercial podium HLCC Mall.
Courtesy of Aedas
While facing planning conditions that limit building heights and massing, the four towers are allocated at the four corners of the site to maximize views towards the nearby Jinji Lake. The façade of the two taller towers are also designed in unified coordination to produce a twin-tower effect. Suzhou is famously known as ‘the paradise on earth’. The architectural design produces a unique organic form that melds seamlessly into the city’s breathtaking landscape. Horizontal lines dominate the façades and the differences in building heights create a three-dimensional terraced form, reminding people of the terraced tea plantations in the region.
The development is also porous and highly accessible, with a public landscaped boulevard running across the site from north to south. A mix of programs and functions scatters along the periphery.
The podium links two towers together and features two atria. Visitors may enjoy both lake and garden views at the rooftop garden and outdoor terraces. The projects seek to become a lifestyle center
Courtesy of Aedas
for all ages.
Project Info:
Architects: Aedas
Location: Hong Leong City Center, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
Category: Shopping Centers
Lead Architects: Dr. Andy Wen, Keith Griffiths
Area: 296083.0 m2
Project Year: 2018
Madeline Brooks is a Projects Editor at Arch2O, where she has been shaping and refining architectural content since March 2024. With over a decade of experience in editorial work, she has curated, revised, and published an array of projects covering architecture, urbanism, and public space design. A graduate of the Harvard University Graduate School of Design, Madeline brings a strong academic foundation and a discerning editorial eye to each piece she oversees. Since joining Arch2O, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the platform’s editorial direction, with a focus on sustainability, social relevance, and cutting-edge design. Madeline excels at translating complex architectural ideas into clear, engaging stories that resonate with both industry professionals and general readers. She works closely with architects, designers, and global contributors to ensure every project is presented with clarity, depth, and compelling visual narrative. Her editorial leadership continues to elevate Arch2O’s role in global architectural dialogue.