The construction site of the North Bund Plot 91 project remained in full swing during the Labor Day holiday, as workers from Shanghai Construction Group raced against time to raise what will become Puxi’s tallest building.
The future 480-meter skyscraper is already being heralded as a new landmark. At dawn each day, steel structure team leader Gong Suhua dons his safety gear and heads to the site for the 6 am briefing—a daily routine he hasn't missed.
On site, massive tower cranes hoist multi-ton steel columns into place, while Gong’s welding team takes over with precision work.
The project makes extensive use of Q550 high-strength steel, known for reducing total material usage while increasing structural integrity.
However, its demanding welding requirements add complexity. “We have to preheat the welding joints to 250 degrees Celsius over two hours and maintain post-weld heat treatment for another two,” Gong said. The welding process cannot be interrupted to avoid cracks, often extending their workdays well into the night.
A seasoned welder from Jiangsu Province, Gong came to Shanghai in the 1990s and has worked on iconic projects including the Shanghai Tower and the Pudong International Airport Satellite Terminal.
Now 52, he proudly recalls bringing his son to the “Builders’ Wall of Honor” at the Shanghai Tower, where his name is etched among the city’s labor heroes.
Though his family now lives in Jiading, Gong spends most of his time on site, sometimes going six months without returning home.
The holiday, while his wife and college-aged son traveled to Guangzhou, Gong remained on the job. “It’s the critical phase. As a model worker and team leader, I must set the example,” he said.
The project’s pace has been relentless. Last November, workers completed a 40,000-cubic-meter concrete base pour in just 40 hours.
“It was like a mechanical orchestra,” said civil engineer Chen Jie, recalling how hundreds of carpenters, rebar workers, and concrete crews operated in perfect coordination. His walkie-talkie rarely left his hand, and he logged over 20,000 steps daily.
Deputy project manager Qi Weicheng highlighted the challenge of meeting tight deadlines while protecting nearby subway infrastructure.
A joint command unit coordinated over 400 concrete trucks and 600 workers to complete major excavation and foundation tasks within 120 days.
As of early May, the project had entered the final phase of basement construction, targeting a key structural milestone by the end of the month.
Each steel beam and concrete slab carries the sweat and pride of its builders.
“My son used to say I helped build the tallest tower in Pudong. Now, he says I’m building the tallest in Puxi,” Gong said.
“When we top it out, I want to bring my whole family to the roof. And I hope my son will come work in Shanghai, in the city where I’ve built my life.”