Suzhou Zhongnan Center

Suzhou Zhongnan Center is a stalled 499.2 m tall building in Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP), Suzhou, Jiangsu, China. Original plans called for a height of 729 metres (2,391.7 ft) but plans were scrapped in 2019 in compliance with China's ban on buildings taller than 500 metres (1,641 ft). The new tower was proposed in 2019 and construction started less than a year later however, work was halted in mid 2022.

Original Design
The original building's design called for a height of 729 metres (2,391.7 ft) with a total of 137 floors. The tower was proposed in 2011 and began construction in 2014. The building was planned for office space, high-end residential suites and a hotel, all served by 93 elevators.

Construction was halted in 2015 and eventually abandoned in favor of a more realistic and shorter building. The original tower would’ve been the second tallest building in the world if it were actually completed.

Current Design
Following a ban in China on the construction of buildings over 500 meters (1,641 feet) Suzhou Zhongnan Center was completely redesigned to fit a better use. The new building would rise 499.2 meters (1,638 feet) and would be heavily inspired by traditional Suzhou patterns and architecture most prominently in the facade of the building. The design was revealed in 2019 with construction starting in 2020. In mid 2022 when construction had reached ground level all work was halted due to the current financial difficulties the buildings owners, Zhongnan, was experiencing. As of 2023, the tower remains incomplete and no news of it resuming construction has been announced.