Today I was walking through Tower 3 of China World (Guo Mao T3), and noticed a scale model of Guo Mao and the surrounding area in the lobby. I snapped a picture:
Sorry it is kind of dark, my phone’s camera is not great. Anyway, I was looking at the model…Guo Mao T1, check. Guo Mao T2, Check. China World Hotel, Check. Kerry Center, Check. Kerry Center Hotel…Check. What’s missing? What’s missing? Oh Dear, it’s the E-tower! My office building doesn’t exist in Guo Mao’s vision…Is this a picture of things to come? Are the rumours of no more E-tower within 6 months possibly true? It was an awfully luscious-looking, green parking long in E-tower’s place…
Anyway, just for fun, I decided to look on Biadu and Google Maps to see what they had on the topic, and found some really interesting results.
First, Baidu is 3 years out of date on its 3D map of Beijing’s CBD. What the heck? The little old that was torn down in the first few weeks I was at iCET is still in the picture. Guo Mao T3 is nowhere to be seen, and there is a giant construction site around the e-Tower (which is in the picture! yay!) What up, Baidu?
Second: Google is up to date. T3 and e-tower are all there.
Conclusions / Observations:
- What the heck is Guo Mao Planning for this area? Why was that guy coming around to all the units in e-tower a few months ago offering to buy? Is the E-tower going to be here still in a year?
- Baidu…honestly, why do you have a 3 year-old 3D map of Beijing’s CBD? Is it that hard to keep up on Beijing’s highest-profile commercial district?
- Google — should be in China. It provides high quality, up-to-date data that is easily accessible and useful.
And that’s that!
I’m betting that was intentional…don’t know if the E Tower can keep up with all the cool modern buildings that surround it. Let’s hope it was just a mistake, otherwise iCET may be looking for a new office very soon! Gonna miss that view of the underpants!
At one point last year, I heard of real estate agents going through the whole building trying to buy up all the units. If it wasn’t the group that owns Guo Mao, then I don’t know who it would be! Anyway, nothing has come of it…yet…