Sky High

Taipei 101 is much more than Taiwan’s tallest building.

- Sharon Masige

Towering 508 metres from ground to tip, Taipei 101 (formerly Taipei World Financial Center) is Taiwan’s slightly taller answer to New York’s Empire State Building. Aptly renamed for its 101 floors – making it the tallest building in Taiwan – the tower is an architectural marvel. Its features are derived from Chinese culture, with its structure emulating Chinese pagodas. The tower is separated into eight sections; eight being the Chinese lucky number and a sign of prosperity. And with its pale green glass walls – which are both heat reflective and energy efficient – the tower evokes a bamboo shoot, a traditional symbol of strength.

Towering over the Xinyi District, Taipei 101 was originally created with the aim of becoming the banking hub of the Asia–Pacific. But with Hong Kong, Shanghai and Singapore already cornering that market, the tower’s leases were diversified to include other businesses. “We host not just financial institutions but any kind of business,” says Taipei 101 Chairman Joseph Chou. “Our leisure businesses attract close to three million visitors annually.”

From local businesses to high-end international brands including Dior, Bulgari, Apple, and Tiffany & Co., Taipei 101 has become a thriving business centre. “We are already at full occupancy, and yet there are many prospective tenant enquiries,” Joseph says. “The tenant mix is evolving all the time. 

Right now, we only have boutique-sized banks, whereas 10 years ago all the banks in Taipei 101 were big multinational companies. We have Google and Chinese company Cheetah Mobile taking up a couple of floors. Pharmaceuticals are really booming in Taiwan and we have a biopharmaceutical company coming in.”