• This 5-star hotel, located next to the CCTV complex, was destroyed by fire caused by fireworks located atop it on February 9th, 2009. It happened in the final hours of the Chinese lunar new year when people set off fireworks around the city. The fireworks were from a type not officially permitted to be used.
• The angular building was a symbol of Beijing's recent transformation and modernization. It had been scheduled to open in late 2009, but that was postponed.
• Mandarin Oriental had been signed a long term contract of hotel management, but has no ownership interest in the building. The owner and developer of it is goind take time to complete it.
• After the fire, the building did not collapsed. Its structure of zinc remained standing. One fireman died from toxic gas.
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