3 min read 
0 comments 
Standing nearly 600 meters tall, Goldin Finance 117 has become a symbol of stalled ambition and crisis in China's real estate sector
In Tianjin, one of China's most important cities, stands a giant made of concrete and glass that impresses with both its size and its silence: the Goldin Finance 117. This skyscraper, with its 597 meters in height and 128 floors, was designed to be an icon of luxury and modern engineering, but ended up going down in history as the tallest building in the world to remain abandoned. According to Casa e Jardim magazine and information from Guinness World Records, construction, which began in 2008, was never completed, reflecting the impacts of the real estate bubble and the economic crisis in the country.
The skyscraper that promised to be a symbol of power and innovation
Conceived as the heart of the ambitious Goldin Metropolitan project, the Goldin Finance 117 skyscraper was to house high-end corporate offices, luxury hotels and sophisticated retail areas. Construction began in 2008 with completion expected in 2014, but faced several obstacles along the way. In 2010, the global crisis slowed the housing sector construction in China, directly impacting the pace of construction. Although work resumed in 2011, the project was halted again in 2015, shortly after the building reached its final height. The structure was completed in terms of form, but was never equipped internally for operation.
The Financial Impact of the World's Tallest Abandoned Skyscraper
The project was financed solely by Goldin Properties Holdings, with no direct involvement from the Chinese government. With millions in investment, the skyscraper turned into a financial nightmare after the drop in demand for high-end real estate. villas and government pressure to curb the excesses of the real estate sector. The building never received tenants and, to this day, remains with cranes on top, as if waiting for a new beginning that never comes. Guinness World Records officially recognized Goldin Finance 117 as the tallest unoccupied skyscraper on the planet, cementing its worldwide fame not for its glory, but for its abandonment.
Chinese government measures and the end of the era of super skyscrapers
With the uncontrolled growth of skyscrapers across the country, the Chinese government has implemented strict measures to curb extravagant construction. According to reports in Casa e Jardim magazine, buildings over 500 meters tall are currently prohibited, and buildings over 250 meters must undergo rigorous analysis before receiving approval. The aim is to restore the architectural identity of cities and ensure that buildings meet realistic standards of safety, functionality and sustainability. The case of Goldin Finance 117 has come to be cited as an example of urban waste and planning failures.
Future uncertain for Tianjin's ghost skyscraper
Despite its impressive size and strategic location, Goldin Finance 117 remains a purposeless monolith. No company has expressed any firm interest in completing the project or adapting the space for alternative uses. The structure continues to occupy an imposing place on the Tianjin skyline, but without activity, life or clear purpose. The building has become an informal tourist attraction, attracting attention of curious people and architecture enthusiasts, but it remains closed to the public. The building could even be demolished in the future if it is not profitable, turning one of the tallest skyscrapers in the world into ruins.
