What Will Beijing Gain from Its First Taikoo Li Mall?

In recent years, southern cities like Shanghai and Shenzhen have repeatedly validated the idea of integrating parks into urban life. Now, in the northeastern corner of Beijing, a new super-complex is approaching its “go live” countdown with the “river” as its central entrance. Just last week, we had the privilege of attending the topping-out ceremony of the Beijing Taikoo Li project, marking the completion of the structure for all its buildings. As Swire Properties’ largest single investment in mainland China, this complex spans approximately 860,000 square meters and will feature eight Grade A office towers, a shopping mall, as well as a new EAST Hotel and serviced apartments. It’s set to introduce a fresh, functional area in one of China’s most important cities.We’re fortunate that this complex is being developed by Swire Properties, the experts in “urban renewal,” “community building,” and “community maintenance.” How will they define the next “milestone” for urban complexes in Beijing, using their long-term perspective of “community creation → community maintenance”? Continuing with their expertise from Hong Kong’s Taikoo Li, which emphasizes “connection and growth,” our observation of Beijing Taikoo Li starts here.Connection: More Than Just “Business Variety”.It’s not about cramming a bunch of different commercial entities into one space; rather, it’s about creating a “foundation” for long-term business sustainability where each part serves the “regional symbiosis.”

During the topping-out ceremony, a large screen showcased a new vision for the future of Taikoo Li in Beijing, including high-end design teams from various specialized fields. Additionally, global landmark complexes from New York, Tokyo, and London were also featured. What they all have in common is not just size or complex offerings, but the role they play as “public spaces” in cities. This project proudly aligns itself with this same methodology: through careful planning, design, construction, and operation, it integrates the diverse functions of the city into a large, functional area.A key aspect of this project is how to make a region vibrant yet orderly, enabling different populations to coexist and address their needs harmoniously. This leads to the vital first step: connection. Unlike traditional CBDs which prioritize “vertical efficiency,” Taikoo Li Beijing focuses on “district coordination” and puts “connection” at the forefront. This fits the demands of next-generation urban commercial spaces, which Swire Properties is especially skilled at creating: seamless integration. The distinct building boundaries remain independent, yet they flow together. With its low-density, multi-tower cluster structure, interconnected pedestrian bridges, and spaces that blend offices, retail, hotels, and public spaces, the complex is designed to create a “work-live-play” ecosystem.In other words, the commute can also be a social route.

When looking at the strategy behind the eight Grade A office towers, it’s no longer about accommodating more desks but about making workspaces more comfortable, healthier, and efficient. To adapt to Beijing’s climate, the building features south-facing lobbies, sun-shading designs, maximum natural light on facades, column-free structures, exposed ceilings, and T4-equipped cooling beams and radiative systems. These details prioritize both headquarters-level customization and the everyday experience of office teams.The revitalized EAST Hotel will offer about 318 rooms, with a rooftop garden bar offering views over the Bahe River. This is a clear example of “bringing the river in,” symbolizing the relationship between guests and the city not only in the rooms but in every spatial detail. More importantly, this “connection” extends beyond the architecture itself and reaches toward “a river.”Growth: Making “Riverside” a Source of VitalityWhile the keyword for southern cities in recent years has been “parks,” Beijing Taikoo Li’s significant contribution to the capital is “riverside” and “waterfront.” It provides a model for how to effectively utilize the city’s existing ecology. The topping-out ceremony took place by the Bahe River, and the riverfront area’s presence gave the entire plan a “waterfront-friendly” logic from the outset. It’s not just about placing visible water; rather, it positions water as the natural organizer of space and a “natural bond” for regional development, turning the riverbank into a “main street” for urban life.

The concept of “waterfront narrative” is visible in several aspects: riverside parks, sports parks, outdoor dining areas, event lawns, and pedestrian walkways linked to the bridge network. The future vision for the area is coming into focus. These amenities will offer sustainable outdoor spaces where people have more reasons to “sit down” and enjoy the surroundings. The plazas and garden spaces blend outdoor activities with al fresco dining experiences, deepening the connection between consumers and nature. In terms of accessibility, Bahe River cruise ships will dock at Taikoo Li’s terminal, directly connecting to the city’s sub-center. The combination of eco-corridors, public ferry routes, and commercial nodes will connect scattered pockets of vitality into a cohesive “artery” of the northeastern district.This isn’t just about the romanticism of “watching water”; it’s about upgrading the functionality of urban transport and public spaces. The rarity of this location within the Fifth Ring Road—located in Jiuxianqiao, far from the crowded traditional CBD—ensures seamless connectivity to the city center, while still offering a respite from the typical hustle and high costs. Additionally, it will form a synergistic “art-office-living-waterfront” link with the nearby 798 Art District. Beijing, as a northern city, now has the opportunity to connect “nature, culture, and daily work.”For Swire Properties, Placemaking is not about “creating a view,” but rather “building relationships.”

It transforms urban complexes from “places where strangers gather” into spaces where “neighbors can greet each other and return frequently.” After all, the best landscapes are not those that are admired from afar, but those that can be used daily. When the river becomes the “central stage,” commerce, socializing, culture, and sports naturally take their place in this “natural performance space.”Community Building as the Starting Point, Community Maintenance as the Key to Success.Swire Properties’ core philosophy of community building isn’t about simply “maintaining the status quo,” but about maintaining—which means growing alongside the community. Like a tree, the topping-out marks the “rooting,” but it’s the ongoing nurturing—watering and pruning—that makes it thrive. Writing these two essential elements into a sustainable strategy goes beyond a mere conceptual upgrade; it represents a whole methodology from “construction” to “nurturing.” Once the space is built, it requires operation, data, and cultural platforms to transform short-term excitement into long-term community engagement.This philosophy is exemplified in the 19,000-square-meter “Delphi” area at Taikoo Li Beijing. Acting as a “social core,” it links offices, retail, hotels, and communities, creating a “third space.” By creating a green oasis in the heart of the city, the area offers a natural and healthy atmosphere.

During the day, it serves as a flexible office and conference space, and at night, it transforms into a venue for community events or art exhibitions. Delphi also houses one of the largest banquet halls in Beijing, accommodating large-scale events.As a cultural platform, ArtisTree radiates the idea of “visible and tangible art” to a wider audience. The commercial segment is also fully integrated, bringing in first-time brand stores, niche brands, and seamlessly blending with the existing Yintai Centre to form a 150,000-square-meter retail destination. The focus here is on event-driven, socialized. retail experiences, making programmed operations the norm. With outdoor spaces, al fresco dining, and connected bridges, the infrastructure ensures continuous content generation. The proximity to the 798 Art District provides a natural foundation for curating and cross-sector collaborations.Sustainability and health form the operational foundation: the office buildings have already been pre-certified for LEED Platinum and WELL Platinum, and the project promises to use 100% green energy. Through the Swire Properties GPP (Green Performance Pledge) program, businesses can monitor energy usage and waste emissions, ensuring that ESG principles are reflected in operational metrics.The ultimate goal of Taikoo Li Beijing is not just to “build a bigger mall,” but to “cultivate a better district.”

Not only will it be a place to shop and explore, but it will also make culture visible, tangible, and participatory, connecting people through interaction and engagement. As the city’s first “true neighborhood,” this will be a place where people not only experience the community’s charm but also become part of its creation.From “Seed” to “Milestone”From an urban strategic perspective, the role of Taikoo Li Beijing is clear: it aims to reshape the city’s commercial landscape, energize the northeastern district, and align with Beijing’s “2016–2035 City Master Plan” and Chaoyang District’s “Two Rivers and One Belt” initiative. The project’s identity as a “landmark riverside commercial project” matches Beijing’s rare combination of “nature, waterfront, and commercial” values. With its projected timeline—topping-out in October 2025 and phased openings starting in late 2026—it will resonate with the cultural vibe of 798 and link directly to the sub-center. Thanks to its “commercial + ecology + art” synergy, it will be the vibrant engine driving the northeastern district’s growth, contributing to Beijing’s next round of commercial evolution. More importantly, it will redefine “the everyday” in Beijing: by shortening distances between towers, making public spaces part of daily life, and connecting the sub-center with the city’s heart.Seventeen years ago, Swire Properties brought the