MRED Around the World student Christian Traeden writes about the group’s first day in China:
Our first full day in Shanghai started quickly. China so far has a much different feel than South Korea. Controlled chaos comes to mind, but I’m sure if you read or speak Mandarin life is much easier. Luckily we have Amy from ISA to help us navigate. On our way to our first meeting of the day we had time to explore some more traditional alleys and streets.
Hines was our host for the morning. We met with Derek Hrzek, an associate at Hines who was gracious enough to share anything and everything about the Hines operation in China as well as their new project in Shanghai, a mixed use project with a new office tower.
The team at Hines was very helpful in connecting the dots of how development works in China compared to the U.S., as well as some of the advantages and disadvantages of the area.
The team with Derek Hrzek at Hines.
After meeting with Hines we were able to explore the riverfront and see the contrast in the styles of architecture here in Shanghai. From the influences of the Europeans from years ago, to the amazingly progressive skylines of the past 15 years, Shanghai is one of the most rapidly progressing cities in the world.
This fact was even more evident when we met with Shui On Land Limited, a master developer who specializes in master planned communities and developments. The team at Shui On Land showed us the master planned community that they have been working on for several years and plan to complete in the next six years, Shanghai Xintiandi. This development includes the spectrum of product types and has been especially successful in adapting some of the historic buildings in the area and creating high-end retail and restaurant space. The addition of new high-end residential and class- A office space makes this area one of the most desirable and expensive areas in Shanghai.
The team with our wonderful hosts at Shui On Land Limited.
One of the most interesting things we learned from Shui On Land was how the different structure of land ownership in China is the real vehicle that allows them to purchase such large pieces of real estate in these central city areas and create these wonderful master plans.
Master plan scale of Xintiandi.
After a long day of meetings and a great dinner with a fellow University of Utah alum who lives here in Shanghai, our group was able to view the city from the top of one of the tallest buildings in the world. Not a bad way to finish off the day.
