Construction on the Goldin Finance 117 skyscraper in Tianjin, China, resumed in April 2025 after a lengthy hiatus but remains unfinished nearly two decades after it began. The 595.5-meter (1,954-foot) tower, intended to feature a rooftop pool and luxury hotel, has stood largely dormant since work started in 2008, symbolizing broader challenges in China’s real estate sector.
The project was halted after Goldin Properties, a Hong Kong-based developer, encountered severe financial difficulties following the 2015 Chinese stock market crash. Since 2020, several prominent property developers, including Evergrande, Country Garden, and Vanke, have faced significant debt issues, contributing to a nationwide downturn in real estate investment. Between January and June 2026, investment in property development across China declined by 18 percent year-on-year, according to official reports.
At the site of the Goldin Finance 117 tower this week, construction workers wearing safety gear were observed taking breaks while the building’s eastern side remained exposed and cranes continued operating near the top. Local media estimate completion of the structure in the first half of 2027. One worker commented on the immense capital requirements, referring to the project’s scale and noting that once finished, the building’s illuminated interior would enhance its visual appeal at night.
The stalled skyscraper reflects the difficulties faced by China’s housing market, which has shifted from a key growth driver to a significant barrier to economic expansion. Government data show the national economy grew by just 4.3 percent year-on-year in the second quarter of 2026, marking its slowest pace in more than three years. The ongoing property crisis has led to stagnant home prices and dampened buyer enthusiasm, further exacerbating the sector’s challenges.
This landscape has left multiple urban centers across China dotted with unfinished residential towers and commercial high-rises, underscoring the scale of the real estate slowdown. While some projects like Goldin Finance 117 have seen tentative progress in recent months, uncertainty remains over the pace and extent of recovery in the broader property market.