InterContinental Shimao Shanghai Wonderland: the world’s lowest high-rise hotel?

As competition around the world continues for the world’s tallest tower, architects and engineers in China have taken on a new approach and are building in the opposite direction.  Dubbed as Shanghai’s first ‘groundscraper’, construction has begun on the 19-story InterContinental Shimao Shanghai Wonderland. This 380-room luxury hotel will be built almost entirely below the ground surface, occupying the site of a now-abandoned quarry, and will be surrounded by a 428,000 square metre theme park. It lies at the foot of theTianmashan Mountain, around 30 miles from Shanghai, and is being developed by the Shimao Property Group in conjuction with British engineering firm, Atkins.  The entire development is expected to cost at least $555 million and completion is anticipated for late 2014 or early 2015. Nightly room rates should start from approximately $320.