Planning

In 1997, led by developer Harace Lin, the Taipei Financial Center Corporation, a team led by several Taiwan banks and insurance companies, won the rights to lease the site for 70 years and develop a building, placing the winning bid of NT$20,688,890,000 for the Build Operate Transfer agreement with the city government.[1]

Construction

Planning for Taipei 101 began in July 1997[2] during Chen Shui-bian's term as Taipei mayor. Talks between merchants and city government officials initially centered on a proposal for a 66-story tower to serve as an anchor for new development in Taipei's 101 business district. Planners were considering taking the new structure to a more ambitious height only after an expat suggested it, along with many of the other features used in the design of the building. It was not until the summer of 2001 that the city granted a license for the construction of a 101-story tower on the site. In the meantime, construction proceeded and the first tower column was erected in the summer of 2000.[2][3]

A major earthquake struck Taiwan on 31 March 2002, sending a construction crane falling from the 56th floor to Xinyi Road. The crane crushed several vehicles and caused five deaths - two crane operators and three workers who were not properly harnessed. However, an inspection showed no structural damage to the building, and construction work was able to restart within a week.[4]

Taipei 101's roof was completed three years later on 1 July 2003. Ma Ying-jeou, in his first term as Taipei mayor, fastened a golden bolt to signify the achievement.[5] The formal opening of the tower took place on New Year's Eve 2004. President Chen Shui-bian, Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou and Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng cut the ribbon. Open-air concerts featured a number of popular performers, including singers A-Mei and Stefanie Sun. Visitors rode the elevators to the Observatory for the first time. A few hours later the first fireworks show at Taipei 101 heralded the arrival of a new year.[6][7][8] It replaced the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur as the world's tallest building.[9]

Post-construction

The Taipei Financial Center Corporation (TFCC) announced plans on 2 November 2009 to make Taipei 101 "the world's tallest green building" by summer of 2011 as measured by LEED standards. The structure was already designed to be energy-efficient, with double-pane windows blocking external heat by 50% and recycled water meeting 20–30% of the building's needs. LEED certification would entail inspections and upgrades in wiring, water and lighting equipment at a cost of NT$60 million (US$1.8 million). Estimates showed the savings resulting from the modifications paid for the cost of making them within three years.[10] The project was carried out under the guidance of an international team composed of Siemens Building Technologies, architect and interior designer Steven Leach Group and the LEED advisory firm EcoTech International.[11] The company applied for a platinum-degree certification with LEED in early 2011.[12] On 28 July 2011, Taipei 101 received LEED platinum certification under "Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance". Although the project cost NT$60 million (US$2.08 million), it is expected to save 14.4 million kilowatt-hours of electricity, or an 18% energy-saving, equivalent to NT$36 million (US$1.2 million) in energy costs each year.[10] In 2019, it was named among the 50 most influential skyscrapers in the world by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat.[13]

On 4 January 2020, the building had a condolence message in lights for the victims of a helicopter crash, which included a number of senior government officials.[14] On 8 February 2020, the press said that some passengers of the Diamond Princess cruise liner, quarantined for an outbreak of COVID-19, had visited Taipei 101 on 31 January at which point none exhibited symptoms.[15] On 1 April 2020, the Taipei 101 shopping center said it was reducing business hours due to the Coronavirus pandemic, making the "nation's first to cut back operations due to the pandemic."[16] It had started checking shopper's temperatures in February.[16][17] On 21 May the building said it would resume normal business hours in June, as the country had effectively limited the spread of COVID-19.[18]

Timeline

Important dates in the planning and construction of Taipei 101 include:[1]

Date Event 20 October 1997 Development and operation rights agreement signed with Taipei City government. 13 January 1999 Ground-breaking ceremony. 7 June 2000 First tower column erected. 13 April 2001 Design change to 508.2-meter height approved by Taipei City government. 13 June 2001 Taipei 101 Mall topped out. 10 August 2001 Construction license awarded for 101 stories. 31 March 2002 Partially constructed building survives 6.8 magnitude earthquake undamaged. 13 May 2003 Taipei 101 Mall obtains occupancy permit. 1 July 2003 Taipei 101 Tower roof completed. 17 October 2003 Pinnacle placed. 14 November 2003 Taipei 101 Mall opens.[2]15 April 2004 Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) certifies Taipei 101 as world's tallest building. 12 November 2004 Tower obtains occupancy permit. 31 December 2004 Tower opens to the public.[2]1 January 2005 First New Year fireworks show begins at midnight.[19]