Supertalls gaining ground in Asia

Of the world's supertalls – a nickname for skyscrapers rising over 300 meters – around 60 percent are in Asia, according to the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH)

January 05, 2019

Of the world's supertalls – a nickname for skyscrapers rising over 300 meters – around 60 percent are  in Asia, according to the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH). Out of the world's 48 completed commercial supertalls, 29 are in the region. Most are these are in Hong Kong and mainland China.

Asia's rising urbanization means supertalls are being built faster than ever before. Last year, for the ninth year in a row, China had the most 200-meter-plus completions, says CTBUH.

The lure of building skyscrapers is rising as developers and governments see the benefits they bring to businesses, citizens, tenants and a city's profile. This is putting supertalls and megatalls (over 600 metres) high on the development agenda, propelled by rapid economic expansion, competition between cities to put themselves on the map and a desire to maximise land value.

In Southeast Asia, newly constructed supertall buildings and planned structures include Thailand's MahaNakhon Tower and Observation Tower, Vietnam's Vincom 81, Jakarta's Signature Tower and Malaysia's Merdeka Tower.

"In Asian cities, density and rising population mean there will be more supertall buildings to come," says Eric Lee, JLL's Head of Operations, Property & Asset Management, Greater China.

Investor appeal

These stand-out structures are increasingly commanding a rental and valuation premium, Lee adds.

"Supertalls are iconic buildings, and they add value such as prestige and branding, which help to lure top-class tenants, businesses, tourism and talent," he says.

For instance, Kuala Lumpur's Petronas Twin Towers, once the tallest building in the world, has been a tourist magnet and a major commercial centre since their completion two decades ago. In Shanghai, as the number of tall buildings rises, the city's ranking has also improved. It has closed the gap with neighbouring Seoul and Tokyo, based on JLL's Decoding City Performance report.

Generally located in the heart of central business districts or prime locations, these assets have easy access to transportation networks and modern infrastructure. They also contribute to local city developments and symbolise success and optimism for the future of any city, says Lee.

Asian governments have been supporting the construction of supertalls because skyscrapers are perceived as an effective way to boost the competitiveness of a city's business environment. According to JLL's Decoding City Performance report, reputation is key in attracting businesses, talent and visitors, and cities are using innovative real estate and impressive skylines to project their brands and identities.

Super tall pay-off

While construction costs of supertalls can be high due to issues such as overcoming wind forces and ensuring energy efficiency, the gain can be worth it. These "vertical villages" not only generate investment opportunities, but also create value for the surrounding areas, helping lure crowds, drive sales and rental prices, says Lee. Additional gains for owners and developers include the ability to display prominent signage and the right to use the name of a significant building.

Supertall buildings are built primarily for commercial purposes, but many also feature mixed-use spaces including retail stores, observation decks, food and beverage shops, and community areas.

There has also been an increased focus on place-making to promote social interactions among users of a supertall. In light of this, elements such as co-working, as well as green spaces, are incorporated at various levels of the supertall building, says Lee, which help boost the popularity and attractiveness of supertalls to a new generation of workers inhabiting the building.

This article is published on http://www.theinvestor.jll


About JLL

JLL (NYSE: JLL) is a leading professional services firm that specializes in real estate and investment management. Our vision is to reimagine the world of real estate, creating rewarding opportunities and amazing spaces where people can achieve their ambitions. In doing so, we will build a better tomorrow for our clients, our people and our communities. JLL is a Fortune 500 company with annual revenue of $16.3 billion, operations in over 80 countries and a global workforce of over 91,000 as of March 31, 2019. JLL is the brand name, and a registered trademark, of Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated. For further information, visit jll.com.

About JLL Thailand

The firm’s operation in Thailand began in 1990 and today is the country’s largest international property service provider with 1,600 employees and more than five million square metres of property and corporate facilities managed. In Euromoney Real Estate Survey 2018, JLL was voted as Thailand’s number one overall real estate advisor for the 8th consecutive year and also won top votes for agency/letting, research and valuation in the same survey. The firm was also named Thailand’s five-star winner in the commercial property consultancy and commercial real estate agency categories at the International Property Awards Asia Pacific 2019/2020. For more information, visit jll.co.th.

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