Inside huge 'vertical city' tower block with room for up to 20,000 residents

A colossal ‘vertical city’ is taking the notion of overcrowding to extraordinary new heights. While many parts of the UK are gripped by a severe housing shortage, one staggering tower block accommodates as many as 20,000 residents within a single structure.

The Regent International Center in Hangzhou, China, holds the title of the world’s most densely populated apartment block – and one glance at its imposing scale makes it abundantly clear why.

The complex, constructed in 2013, provides a wealth of amenities to cater for residents’ everyday needs. These include grocery stores, restaurants, grooming services, internet cafés, swimming pools, gyms and retail outlets.

In theory, inhabitants can go about their daily lives without ever setting foot outside the building – a feature that likely proved invaluable when the Covid-19 pandemic plunged the world into lockdown.

The tower soars to a staggering 675ft and spans 39 storeys, frequently going viral as a symbol of dystopian megastructures – the sort of thing that would not look out of place in an episode of Black Mirror, reports the Daily Star.

Originally conceived as a luxury hotel, the building still retains a number of upmarket features one might expect from a lavish hotel, including an ornate lobby. The structure was designed by architect Alicia Loo, who also created the world-renowned Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.

For several years, Regent International was known as Hangzhou’s influencer building due to its status as the hub of livestream e-commerce hosts and content creators. However, as larger studio agencies relocated to purpose-built tech parks across the city, numerous influencers moved out of the building.

YouTuber Where to Next recently explored the striking structure to assess the current situation.

He initially went to view one of the thousands of flats in the building, and while he was taken with the view from the balcony, it swiftly became apparent that the reasonably-sized flat he was inspecting would actually be divided into six separate flats.

This corresponds with recent reports of overcrowding and safety concerns plaguing the Regent International.

Local news sources report that some compact flats are available for approximately 1,500RMB per month (£167.58). There is one minor drawback though – flats on the market at that price lack windows.

Some of the more spacious properties with balconies could cost you 4,000RMB per month (£446.88).

One resident said the district truly flourished when Hangzhou hosted the G20 summit a decade ago.

Piao Pu told Sixth Tone: “In a very short time, that section of Benjing Avenue in front of the Regent had been completed, the surrounding area was beautifully landscaped, and the population was growing. That’s when I decided to buy a place there.”

Residents are reportedly becoming more conscious of the Regent’s standing, not only in China, but across the globe.

To such an extent that the building’s homeowners association has hired a public relations firm to enhance the Regent’s reputation.

One member reportedly said: “We want reporting that reflects the facts, so people can see what the real Regent is actually like.”

To such an extent that the building’s homeowners association has hired a public relations firm to enhance the Regent’s reputation.

One member reportedly said: “We want reporting that reflects the facts, so people can see what the real Regent is actually like.”