The renovation of Grand Gateway 66 replaces an outmoded façade with a sophisticated, radial design that opens up to a retail plaza directly above Shanghai’s largest subway station.
The retail base of the mixed-use complex, originally completed in 1999 by CallisonRTKL and renovated by KPF in 2019, is a landmark for the Xujiahui district, positioned at the western corner of a busy four-way intersection. Pedestrian bridges from neighboring buildings lead customers to the plaza. Open terraces surround the shopping center to allow visitors moments of serenity and fresh air under canopies of trees. These fixed landscape elements co-exist with seating options on the public terraces.
The building’s façade expresses a radial symmetry through layers of curved glass and a repeating motif of vertical lines. Dual cascading water features on either side of the entrance complement the overall water-drop nature of the design. Terracotta fins nod to the surrounding areas and materials of Shanghai and further the artistic quality and craftsmanship of the project. These terracotta reds are central in the earth tones present throughout the plaza, along with celadon greens and glazed ochres.
