HONG KONG | International Commerce Centre | 1,608 FT / 490 M | 118 FLOORS | T/O

[Fabb]

the structural system of the two towers are almost exact. And mega-columns are definitely there.

I don't see mega-columns, only the steel used in the reinforced concrete.

[Aboveday]

is reinforced concrete mega-columns flexible enough to against earthquake and strong wind? why don`t they use steel?

[Fabb]

Well, I don't know. But isn't it true that Burj Dubai uses reinforced concrete as well ?

[vincent]

two mega columns locates on each side in US7 foundation. But they are using reinforced concrete (it means both reinforcement bar and high grade concrete) this time (instead of I-beam steel and reinforced concrete in 2ifc). It is clearly visible in the pics. I think they will start using steel somewhere above ground (or they will keep using concrete all the way?) i am not sure.

[Fabb]

two mega columns locates on each side in US7 foundation. But they are using reinforced concrete (it means both reinforcement bar and high grade concrete) this time (instead of I-beam steel and reinforced concrete in 2ifc).

OK.
Only two mega-columns ? I'm not sure I see them, but I think I can identify a double core and eight colums at the periphery of the circular hole.

[vincent]

two mega-columns on each side. So it is a total of 8 mega-columns on all 4 sides. And they are the exact same columns as what you decribed as "eight colums at the periphery of the circular hole."

btw, what do u mean by "double core"?

[Rachmaninov]

I guess he's referring to the core which is sort of divided into two parts at the middle. Ever notice the walls are seperated?

I guess a big earthquake wasn't expected and thus won't be taken into account when building the US7. As for strong winds, they may have installed mass dampers or they may vibrate a huge block at the top of it to 'cancel out' the vibration caused by strong winds, by not allowing it to resonate.

[Fabb]

two mega-columns on each side. So it is a total of 8 mega-columns on all 4 sides. And they are the exact same columns as what you decribed as "eight colums at the periphery of the circular hole."

btw, what do u mean by "double core"?

I wasn't clear, sorry. But Rachmaninov got my message.

I, too, wonder if any Tuned-Mass-Damper will be installed.

[alejandro]

Think the US7 core is to damn big fot the building size, though I'm not an engineer (hope that's how it writes), I belive they coud have done it a bit smaller, for more office space, by reenforcing the Mega-columns.

:rolleyes: :rock: :rolleyes:

[Aboveday]

How can reinforced concrete mega-columns due with the vibration by the wind?won`t it crack ?

[Jaroslaw]

Perhaps the reason for the delay of US 7 was not a fear of an office space glut but something more banal: a conflict of opinions about the direction of the price of steel, and about whether to redesign the building as a cheaper, concrete one. Here is something a forumer in Chicago found out directly from a developer planning to put up a 65 story tower:

"As you know, construction prices skyrocketed over the last 18 months, especially steel and concrete. It is outrageous, and the market as a whole has long since passed the equilibrium point where such increased costs can simply be passed along to the consumer... Now the price of both products fluctuates daily, and we routinely design dual systems and pull the trigget as late as we can."

I also wonder about the wind. Would it make more sense for this tower to have rounded edges to make it more aerodynamic, like 2 IFC?

[Rachmaninov]

Think the US7 core is to damn big fot the building size, though I'm not an engineer (hope that's how it writes), I belive they coud have done it a bit smaller, for more office space, by reenforcing the Mega-columns.

:rolleyes: :rock: :rolleyes:

The Mega columns are reinforced. You seldom see a concrete project with concrete ONLY, because we usually assume that concrete has no tensile strength, although in reality it has about 5MPa.

[Aboveday]

reinforced concrete for a 111-story tower ,scary-scary.

[Fabb]

... any kind of 111-story building is a little scary anyway, isn't it ?

[Aboveday]

Oui Oui Oui.:)

[cas1976]

some updates

[cas1976]

some updates.....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v289/cas1976/US/1424264.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v289/cas1976/US/1424268.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v289/cas1976/US/1424271.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v289/cas1976/US/1424272.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v289/cas1976/US/1424273.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v289/cas1976/US/1424274.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v289/cas1976/US/1424275.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v289/cas1976/US/1424276.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v289/cas1976/US/1424277.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v289/cas1976/US/1424278.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v289/cas1976/US/1424279.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v289/cas1976/US/1424280.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v289/cas1976/US/1424281.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v289/cas1976/US/1424289.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v289/cas1976/US/1424290.jpg

[Rachmaninov]

That's my boy!! Cool pics!!

[vincent]

very nice update!

[superchan7]

US7 RISES!

[Fabb]

I was getting worried.
Now I feel better. Thanks !

[igzaklee]

yessir!! :D

[Rachmaninov]

The columns look real HUGE... by the way the Victory Arch isn't that bad at all...

[Ersh]

Yes! It's finally beginning to rise out of the pit! :D

[Fabb]

The columns look real HUGE... by the way the Victory Arch isn't that bad at all...

I agree.
I just wish there hadn't been blind walls inside the arch.

[Rachmaninov]

Well it does have a little pattern on it.

[Fabb]

Right.
That's what I was thinking. I'm curious about the details of this pattern.

[Aboveday]

amazing updates,thanks a lot!

[cas1976]

but i'm afraid i can't give you guys anymore updates until June as i have to prepare my HKCEE exam.....

[Rachmaninov]

Don't worry you'll do fine! How many subjects are you doing?

Fabb, I guess the pattern inside is quite obvious already, but maybe someone can post here a close photo of the patterns?

[cas1976]

Don't worry you'll do fine! How many subjects are you doing?

Fabb, I guess the pattern inside is quite obvious already, but maybe someone can post here a close photo of the patterns?
thank you..... 8

[Jose Luis]

OMG!! IT'S SOO HUGE!! THATS AN AMAZING SKYLINE PUMPING RIGHT THERE, HK RULES. KEEP US UP TO DATE PLEASE.

[Rachmaninov]

Any more updates???

[HforHenry]

http://www.starphotohk.com/hk-place/20050306-UnionSquarePhase7-600.jpg
A update photo of US7 ....
from hkplace

[Fabb]

That's a huge photo. Thanks !
I think it's slightly ahead of SWFC.

[Jaroslaw]

A great photo indeed.

I still have trouble matching up the columns as I see them with the square layout of the tower. I assume that the columns immediately to the left of the cranes will be the left end of the building?

[Rachmaninov]

Nice update!! Thanks!!
Hope that Will would also help us shoot pics soon! He will be back in HK today!

[Lecom]

The race is on between this one and SWTC.
Place your bets, ladies and gents.

[some_stupid_nut]

US7 seems to be ahead but SWFC seems to be going faster. Too hard to decide.

[Torch]

The race is on between this one and SWTC.
Place your bets, ladies and gents.
I bet that US7 win!
becauce it began constuction earlier and is not as tall as SWFC...
Can't wait to see them rising!

[Fabb]

Right.
Besides, the hole at the top of SWFC should take longer to build than the wall extensions of US7.

[FlyersFan118]

...holy shit.


thats a big plot of land.


probably as big as center city alone.


...DAAAAMN...

[buildup]

Yeah, US7 will be done first. SWFC is bigger and more massive.

[vincent]

my best guess is US7 would be fully completed earlier than SWFC, but SWFC top out earlier than US7.

[Rachmaninov]

I think US7 would top out earlier than the SWFC

[HforHenry]

新地減九龍站商廈面積

為令項目整體布局更完善，新地旗下九龍站五至七期及元朗牛潭尾住宅兩項目，向城規會作出輕微修訂獲批，其中九龍站五至七期項目，申請將寫字樓可建樓面由原來的逾253.7萬方呎，減少逾4.3萬方呎至逾249.4萬方呎，並將一座高度由水平基準以上480米調升至水平基準以上490米。
Copy from http://the-sun.com.hk/channels/fina/20050319/ 19-3-05

US7 Good News !!
SHKP said they will increase the sea level height of US7 from 480m to 490m.

[Rachmaninov]

WaWAWAW!!!!

[HforHenry]

That mean the real height of US7 will increase from 474m to 484m ?

[Fabb]

Yes, more than likely.
Do they say if the number of floors will be increased ?

[HforHenry]

The news do not say any thing about the number of floors..

[HforHenry]

but i'm afraid i can't give you guys anymore updates until June as i have to prepare my HKCEE exam.....
I am also will take part in HKCEE this year ^^

[Lecom]

That mean the real height of US7 will increase from 474m to 484m ?
Hehe awesome. That's only like three floors though, but still, a height increase for a nearly 500 meter tower is always good news. By the way, why don't they just make the tower 500+ meters tall while they're at it?

[hkskyline]

Chad from SSC took these photos on March 18th :

Union Square
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=178469&page=5

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v171/chady/Bank/DSC01267.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v171/chady/Bank/DSC01269.jpg

[Aboveday]

http://www.skyscrapers.cn/images/asia/cn/hk/usp7-model.jpg

[try 2B funny]

Taken on 21-3-05

http://tinypic.com/2b5jbl

Surprisingly, I quite like the color contrast, it makes HK a bit like NYC.

[colemonkee]

That looks like one expensive model...

[Aboveday]

23-3-05
Ming Po & Sun Daily News.
New Plan of US6 approved by gov last month.
9-story podium + 63-story tower,(total =72-story).


http://the-sun.com.hk/channels/fina/20050323/

新地九龍站建72層物業
23/03/2005

新地九龍站凱旋門開售在即，毗鄰旗下五至六期發展項目上月剛獲屋宇署批出建築圖則，兩幢物業樓高63層，均建於9層平台之上，令物業樓高達72層，另有一層地庫；除住宅外，尚包括服務式住宅及酒店。該項目住宅可建樓面面積逾100.8萬方呎，非住宅樓面面積則為60.6萬方呎。

[cas1976]

where is the model??

[colemonkee]

Is US6 office or residential, or a mix?

[Fabb]

23-3-05
Ming Po & Sun Daily News.
New Plan of US6 approved by gov last month.
9-story podium + 63-story tower,(total =72-story).


http://the-sun.com.hk/channels/fina/20050323/


Does that mean that it's going to be taller ?

[vvill]

picture taken a few days ago.. (sorry guys, the weather has been a bit too shite these days)

http://www.willienet.net/thearch.jpg

[vincent]

willie, no pics of US7 site? :-)

[vvill]

haha.. because when i took the photo, i was on my dad's car lah. will do that later this week. hehe.

[Rachmaninov]

No excuses!! I asked my dad to drop me off when we passed by there last summer!!

[vincent]

hehe

[Rachmaninov]

http://img76.exs.cx/img76/9509/unionsquare7014yp.jpg
http://img76.exs.cx/img76/3457/unionsquare7024eq.jpg
http://img76.exs.cx/img76/2220/unionsquare7037ph.jpg
http://img76.exs.cx/img76/5790/unionsquare7047xs.jpg
http://img76.exs.cx/img76/4392/unionsquare7053tw.jpg
http://img76.exs.cx/img76/329/unionsquare7066rr.jpg
http://img76.exs.cx/img76/2221/unionsquare7076gs.jpg
http://img76.exs.cx/img76/9721/unionsquare7084dn.jpg
http://img76.exs.cx/img76/3928/unionsquare7099mv.jpg
http://img225.exs.cx/img225/6278/unionsquare7102fy.jpg
http://img199.exs.cx/img199/5347/unionsquare7119la.jpg
http://img199.exs.cx/img199/2300/unionsquare7128xt.jpg
http://img199.exs.cx/img199/5025/unionsquare7135nd.jpg
http://img199.exs.cx/img199/9704/unionsquare7140sr.jpg

Union Square phase 7!!!!!
Shot by myself 3 hours ago!!
Hope you guys enjoy them!!

[Rachmaninov]

http://img177.exs.cx/img177/8762/unionsquare619gn.jpg
http://img177.exs.cx/img177/9618/unionsquare629ob.jpg
http://img177.exs.cx/img177/3369/unionsquare637cj.jpg
http://img177.exs.cx/img177/9442/unionsquare642vb.jpg

Union Square 6 updates!!!
Also shot by myself 3 hours ago!
Enjoy!!

[Fabb]

Thanks !
US6 is definitely ahead of US7.

[Jaroslaw]

Thank you!

This is the first time I realized the tremendous scale of these super columns on US7. It's like the Egyptian pyramids or something!

[vincent]

wow, super nice cladding for US6!
and US7 is rising, cool!!

[igzaklee]

...woah...

[Aboveday]

Awesome!

----------

Four Seasons Place luxurious show suite opens
"You are the centre of our attention"

http://www.shkp.com.hk/en/scripts/news/news_press_detail.php?press_id=3197

Check it out!

[Rachmaninov]

Ever notice the non-structural use of concrete in phase 6?

[yarabundi]

Gigantic. I like the one with motorized vehicles on the ground, dwarfed by the size of the building barely out of it !!

[xiahoudun]

Great pictures, Rachmaninov! Thanks.

[JACKinBeantown]

Sweet! It's nice to see US7 finally starting to rise.

[Fabb]

wow, super nice cladding for US6!
and US7 is rising, cool!!

I realize that US6&7 may have similar claddings. Could that be, or is it just my imagination ?

[ENDOPHINS]

wow, super nice cladding for US6!
and US7 is rising, cool!!

I realize that US6&7 may have similar claddings. Could that be, or is it just my imagination ?

I think it maybe just a cladding test of US7 :laugh:

[Fabb]

Maybe.
Possibly an April fools joke.

[igzaklee]

US6 would be amazing to watch if cladding were to 'follow' the construction just floors above it!

sort of a cladding chase~~

[alejandro]

Bless my shit!!!

Construction is already very quick, and those US7 super columns are nuts!!!

:eek: :rock: :eek:

[vincent]

not so nuts in HK standard, hehe.
I believe the columns inside the HKCEC exhibition halls are equally as nuts.

[vvill]

Union Square Updates (8.4.2005)

will: sorry steve btw.. cos was in the hurry so didn't call you!

The Arch - Union Square Phase 3
http://www.willienet.net/photos/usu1.jpg

http://www.willienet.net/photos/usu2.jpg

http://www.willienet.net/photos/usu3.jpg

http://www.willienet.net/photos/usu4.jpg

Entrance to the Arch
http://www.willienet.net/photos/usu5.jpg

Union Square Podium (Sorrento and the Waterfront)
http://www.willienet.net/photos/usu6.jpg

Phase 5 North Tower (possibly the W Hotel Union Square)
http://www.willienet.net/photos/usu7.jpg

[Rachmaninov]

Cool!! Finally you're posting updates hehe

[Fabb]

The area is taking shape !

[philip]

My God, the Arch is magnificent !!:eek:

[Aboveday]

Please remember the following figures:

US7
484 meters
138-story
.
1
3
8
.

[Fabb]

138 floors ?
Are you making this up ?

[Aboveday]

Yes, 27 more floors for US7 . :)

[Aboveday]

and some more...

http://www.micpix.de/gallery/data/media/26/TSTWest-04April05-3.jpg

and some 'closeups'

Union Square Tower (phase 7):
http://www.micpix.de/gallery/data/media/79/UnionSqTwr-Ph7-04April05-1.jpg


Phase 6:
http://www.micpix.de/gallery/data/media/148/US-Ph6-04April05-1.jpg


I also have no idea what is the name of the project north of Sorrento.
On centamap is no info yet. I took some pics from Jordan Road West, but i was too lazy to walk over to see any sign.
And it was damn windy at that day.

.

Images from SanMiguel .

[Aboveday]

http://www.micpix.de/gallery/data/media/26/TSTWest-04April05-1.jpg

http://www.micpix.de/gallery/data/media/26/TSTWest-04April05-2.jpg

Images from SanMiguel

[Jonovision]

Amazing pics. Its nice to have some overviews.

[Fabb]

Yes, 27 more floors for US7 . :)

Impossible. The plan seemed finalized long ago.

Real floors or pretended floors ?

[coth]

so, USP7 now is over the ground?

[Rachmaninov]

Yes it's over the ground
Aboveday where did you get that piece of information?

[Jaroslaw]

These are such amazing pics! Did San Miguel go up in a helicopter again?

[Fabb]

US is even more impressive from above.

[Aboveday]

Yes it's over the ground
Aboveday where did you get that piece of information?

9-4-2005 mingpo.;)

[Rachmaninov]

O my god! O MY GOD!!!

[jose_kwan]

will US7 still be completed in 2007 after adding those floor?