When most British people think about flats, they might picture a modest block of perhaps twenty units. But imagine a building so vast it houses an entire town’s worth of residents—complete with supermarkets, swimming pools, schools, and even nail salons. This isn’t science fiction. This is Regent International in Hangzhou, China, and it’s capturing imaginations across social media whilst raising profound questions about the future of urban living.
A Hotel That Became a City
Standing at an imposing 206 metres tall with its distinctive S-shaped design, Regent International wasn’t always the residential behemoth it is today. Originally conceived as a luxury six-star hotel, the building was inaugurated in 2013. The architectural vision came from Alicia Loo, who also designed Singapore’s second seven-star hotel, the Marina Bay Sands.
However, somewhere between blueprint and reality, the plan changed dramatically. The hotel rooms were converted into residential apartments, transforming what could have been an upmarket accommodation into something far more ambitious: a self-contained vertical community.
Located in Qianjiang Century City—Hangzhou’s central business district—the complex now houses approximately 20,000 residents across 39 floors, though some sections of the building contain 36 floors depending on which side you’re on. With a maximum capacity of 30,000 people, the building still has room to grow.
Everything You Need Without Stepping Outside
What makes Regent International truly remarkable isn’t just its size but its self-sufficiency. The building functions as a miniature city, offering virtually every amenity residents might need. There’s a giant food court serving its tens of thousands of inhabitants, alongside swimming pools, barber shops, nail salons, medium-sized supermarkets, and internet cafes.
The complex also features gyms, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, and even coworking spaces. For many residents, particularly young professionals and recent graduates, there’s simply no need to venture beyond the building’s walls for days at a time.
This raises an intriguing question that’s captured British observers’ attention: Is this convenience or confinement? The building has been described by some social media users as “dystopian,” drawing comparisons to the Netflix series Black Mirror. Yet for others, it represents an ingenious solution to urban overcrowding and resource management.
The People Who Call It Home
Who chooses to live in such an unusual environment? The majority of Regent International’s residents are young professionals—recent graduates or those about to complete their studies. The building has also become popular with social media influencers and small business owners.
The rental costs are surprisingly affordable, particularly by UK standards. Smaller apartments without windows can be rented for around 1,500 RMB (approximately £167) per month, whilst larger units with balconies cost up to 4,000 RMB (around £445) monthly. These prices are considered reasonable given the extensive amenities and services included.
The building’s popularity is evident in its occupancy rates. When a unit becomes available, it typically rents within three to five days. Property statistics indicate that roughly 75 percent of Regent International is occupied by companies, many associated with live-streaming businesses.
Going Viral: Social Media’s Fascination
Throughout 2024 and into 2025, Regent International has repeatedly gone viral on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Reddit. Videos showcasing the building’s facilities have garnered hundreds of thousands of views, with one TikTok clip attracting over 780,000 views.
The footage typically shows sweeping drone shots of the massive S-shaped structure, juxtaposed with interior views of the marble-accented corridors and communal spaces. Social media users have expressed both amazement and concern.
“That’s incredible,” wrote one commenter. “It’s amazing to see how modern architecture can bring so many people together under one roof, creating a unique sense of community”. Others, however, have raised safety concerns: “If it falls due to an earthquake, more than 20,000 people will die. It is too risky”.
A UK Perspective: Lessons from Tower Block History
For British audiences, Regent International may trigger uncomfortable memories of the UK’s own experiment with high-rise living. Between the 1950s and 1970s, Britain built approximately 440,000 high-rise flats for public housing. Subsidised by government programmes that increased funding with building height, these tower blocks were meant to solve post-war housing shortages whilst embodying a modernist vision of urban life.
The experiment largely failed. Tower blocks quickly became associated with crime, social isolation, and deteriorating living conditions. Structures like Trellick Tower earned nicknames such as the “Tower of Terror”. Many were demolished within decades, often before construction loans had been repaid.
The catastrophic failure culminated tragically in 1968 when Ronan Point tower block partially collapsed following a gas explosion, and more recently in the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire that claimed 72 lives.
This history makes British observers particularly cautious about celebrating mega-structures like Regent International. The UK debate around density and high-rise living remains contentious, intersecting with discussions about the controversial “15-minute city” concept.
The Urban Planning Debate
The 15-minute city idea—where residents can access all essential services within a quarter-hour walk or bike ride—has become politically charged in Britain. Despite being a straightforward urban planning concept aimed at reducing car dependency and emissions, conspiracy theories have flourished online, with some claiming such schemes are designed to control populations and trap people in designated zones.
This paranoia seems misplaced when examining Regent International’s model. Residents aren’t confined; they’re simply offered convenience. The building doesn’t prevent anyone from leaving—it merely reduces the necessity to do so for daily needs.
Yet legitimate concerns exist beyond conspiracy theories. High-density living, when poorly implemented, can lead to noise problems, privacy issues, and psychological impacts from lack of natural light and outdoor space. Living in close proximity to thousands of others can feel impersonal and stifling.
Sustainability and the Future
From an environmental perspective, vertical cities like Regent International offer intriguing possibilities. By concentrating populations, they theoretically reduce urban sprawl, preserve agricultural land, and improve public transport efficiency. The building incorporates energy-efficient features including solar panels and advanced HVAC systems.
China has embraced vertical greening initiatives, incorporating plants into building facades to improve air quality, reduce urban heat islands, and enhance aesthetics. Projects like Liuzhou Forest City represent ambitious attempts to harmonise dense urban development with environmental sustainability.
However, questions remain about long-term viability. The reliance on artificial lighting and ventilation in windowless apartments raises health concerns. The lack of exposure to natural environments may contribute to feelings of confinement amongst residents.
Social and Psychological Implications
Living in a building with 20,000 neighbours creates unique social dynamics. On one hand, the density and shared amenities can foster community spirit. Residents might form social connections through shared facilities like gyms, swimming pools, and food courts.
On the other hand, paradoxically, such environments can promote isolation. With everything available within the building, residents may rarely interact with the broader city beyond their walls. This creates what some researchers call a “bubble effect”—a self-contained ecosystem that distances inhabitants from the outside world.
Research from China suggests that in mega-residential developments, most people only know their next-door neighbours, despite living amongst thousands. The sheer scale makes meaningful community building challenging.
What This Means for Britain
Britain faces its own housing crisis, with chronic shortages of affordable homes and rising property prices. The government target of building 300,000 homes annually has proven difficult to meet. Could vertical mega-structures offer a solution?
The answer is complicated. Whilst efficient land use is attractive, particularly in expensive urban centres, British cultural preferences lean heavily towards houses with gardens. Research shows 89 percent of Britons want to live in a house on a street, whilst zero percent prefer tower blocks.
Recent UK planning debates have centred on “gentle density”—increasing housing numbers without resorting to high-rises. This approach seeks to balance the need for more homes with quality of life considerations and community cohesion.
Volumetric construction—building homes in factories and assembling them on-site—has shown promise. Croydon has successfully built Europe’s tallest volumetric tower at 163 metres, demonstrating that modern construction techniques can create high-density housing more safely and efficiently than the 1960s tower blocks.
Architectural Innovation or Cautionary Tale?
Regent International represents remarkable architectural ambition. Designed to maximise functionality whilst providing comprehensive amenities, it demonstrates what’s possible when urban planners prioritise density and self-sufficiency.
The building spans over 1.47 million square metres, making it one of the largest residential structures in China. Its S-shaped design isn’t merely aesthetic—it optimises living space whilst maintaining structural integrity.
Yet architecture critic concerns persist. Some argue the building exemplifies “mega-space” development in Chinese cities—a spatial hegemony that prioritises scale over human needs. The monotonous design and reliance on concrete can feel impersonal, contributing to psychological detachment.
Resident Experiences: The Reality of Vertical Living
What’s it actually like to live there? Recent video tours provide glimpses into daily life. Corridors are quieter than one might expect for a building housing 20,000 people. The marble flooring and simple decor create a hotel-like atmosphere.
Individual apartments are fairly standard—compact kitchens with fitted units, decent-sized bedrooms, bathrooms with either baths or showers, and multifunctional living spaces. The interiors use neutral colours with laminate flooring in bedrooms and marble tiles elsewhere.
Many units come furnished, including washing machines, dining tables, sofas, and microwaves, allowing renters to move straight in. The apartments are basic but functional, contradicting expectations of dystopian squalor.
The bustling atmosphere is undeniable. Between 7-8 in the morning and 5-6 in the afternoon, the flow of people is substantial. Some work within the building whilst others leave for external employment.
Global Implications
Regent International isn’t unique—China has other mega-residential complexes, though few match its scale. Hong Kong’s Chungking Mansions, whilst different in character, similarly houses thousands in a dense vertical structure.
As global populations concentrate in cities—the UN predicts 66 percent of people will live in urban areas by 2050—vertical cities may become increasingly common. The challenge lies in designing such structures that balance efficiency with livability.
Successful vertical cities need comprehensive planning, robust security, strong community programmes, and attention to residents’ psychological well-being. They must provide not just physical amenities but also foster genuine community connection.
The Verdict: Progress or Problem?
So is Regent International a glimpse of the future or a warning from it? The answer likely depends on perspective and priorities.
For young professionals seeking affordable accommodation with unparalleled convenience, the building offers tremendous value. For families desiring outdoor space and community connection, it might feel claustrophobic.
The building succeeds on its own terms—providing housing, amenities, and community for thousands efficiently and affordably. It demonstrates that vertical mega-structures can function when properly designed and managed.
However, it also reveals limitations. The lack of natural light in some units, dependence on artificial systems, and potential for social isolation highlight challenges inherent in such extreme density.
Britain, with its traumatic tower block history, should observe Regent International with cautious interest. There are lessons to learn about density, amenity integration, and efficient land use. But simply replicating such structures without addressing cultural preferences, community needs, and quality-of-life considerations would risk repeating past mistakes.
The future of urban housing likely lies somewhere between suburban sprawl and vertical mega-cities. Finding that balance—creating dense, efficient, sustainable communities that also feel like home—remains one of the great challenges of 21st-century urban planning.
Regent International offers one possible answer. Whether it’s the right answer depends on questions each society must answer for itself: What do we value more—efficiency or space? Convenience or connection? Innovation or tradition?
As Britain grapples with its housing crisis, these questions become increasingly urgent. Regent International reminds us that solutions exist, even radical ones. The real question isn’t whether we can build such structures, but whether we should, and how to do so in ways that genuinely improve people’s lives rather than merely housing them efficiently.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is Regent International and where is it located?
Regent International is a massive residential complex located in Qianjiang Century City, Hangzhou’s central business district in China. Standing at 206 metres tall with 36 to 39 floors depending on the section, it currently houses approximately 20,000 residents with capacity for up to 30,000 people. Originally designed as a luxury hotel and inaugurated in 2013, it was converted into a residential building with thousands of apartments.
How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Regent International?
Rental costs vary significantly based on apartment size and features. Smaller units without windows typically rent for around 1,500 RMB (approximately £167) per month, whilst larger apartments with balconies and premium amenities cost up to 4,000 RMB (roughly £445) monthly. These prices are considered affordable given the building’s comprehensive amenities and central location.
What amenities are available inside the building?
Regent International functions as a self-contained community offering virtually everything residents need. Amenities include a giant food court, swimming pools, gyms, supermarkets, barber shops, nail salons, internet cafes, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, and coworking spaces. The building was designed so residents rarely need to leave for daily necessities.
Who typically lives in Regent International?
The majority of residents are young professionals, recent graduates, or students about to graduate. The building has also become popular with social media influencers, live-streamers, and small business owners. Property statistics indicate approximately 75 percent of the complex is occupied by companies, many associated with the live-streaming industry. When apartments become available, they typically rent within three to five days.
How does Regent International compare to UK tower blocks?
Whilst both involve high-density vertical living, Regent International differs significantly from Britain’s post-war tower blocks. The Chinese structure was purpose-designed as a self-contained community with comprehensive amenities, whereas UK tower blocks were primarily social housing with limited facilities. British tower blocks became associated with crime, social isolation, and poor maintenance, leading to many being demolished. However, the fundamental challenges of high-density living—noise, privacy concerns, and psychological impacts—remain relevant to both contexts.
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