CCTV New Mansion in Beijing
The CCTV Headquarters (中央电视台总部大楼), also known as the CCTV New Mansion, is located at 32 East Third Ring Middle Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing. Positioned in the heart of Beijing’s Central Business District (CBD), the complex is adjacent to the China World Trade Center Tower (北京国贸大厦). The CCTV Headquarters consists of three main buildings: the Main Tower (主楼), the TV Culture Center (电视文化中心), and the Energy Service Center (能源服务中心), and serves as the headquarters for China Central Television (CCTV), the state television broadcaster.
With a total area of 187,000 square meters and a building area of approximately 550,000 square meters, the complex includes two towers: one at 234 meters tall with 52 floors, and the other at 194 meters tall with 44 floors. These towers are connected by a striking steel cantilever structure, one of the most prominent features of the design.
The building was completed on May 16, 2012, and has since become an architectural icon in Beijing.
Awards and Recognition
2007: Time Magazine (《时代》周刊) named the CCTV Headquarters one of the Top 10 Architectural Wonders of the World.
2013: The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) awarded it the Best Tall Building in the World.
2014: The building was ranked among the Top 10 Contemporary Buildings in China.
Design and Construction
Timeline
2001: The Chinese government established the CCTV New Site Office, responsible for the planning and approval of the new headquarters.
2002: The Metropolitan Architecture Office (OMA), led by Rem Koolhaas and Ole Scheeren, won the design competition for the building.
2004: Construction began with the foundation work for the Main Tower (主楼).
2007: Structural steelwork for the main tower was completed, including the installation of the massive cantilever.
2009: A fire broke out in the TV Culture Center (电视文化中心), which was later restored.
2012: The CCTV Headquarters was completed, marking the final phase of construction.
Architectural Features
The CCTV Headquarters is renowned for its bold and unconventional design, which has drawn international attention. The building complex consists of the following components:
Main Tower (主楼): The central part of the headquarters is composed of two towers—one 234 meters tall with 52 floors and another 194 meters tall with 44 floors. These towers are connected by a steel cantilever structure that extends 162 meters into the sky. The towers are set at a 6-degree inward tilt, making the design structurally unique.
TV Culture Center (电视文化中心): This is a public space and media facility designed for cultural exchange, public broadcasting, and other community activities. It includes a 5-star hotel, exhibition halls, recording studios, digital cinemas, and performance stages.
Energy Service Center (能源服务中心): Located at the northeastern corner of the site, this building supports the energy needs of the CCTV Headquarters and other facilities.
Innovative Design
The CCTV Headquarters incorporates a massive steel cantilever structure, a pioneering design element that stretches 162 meters in the air without any visible support at the end. This cantilever weighs 18,000 tons and is one of the most extraordinary feats of modern engineering.
The exterior is adorned with irregularly shaped glass panels that are organized into bold, geometric patterns. This glass curtain wall not only enhances the building’s aesthetics but also improves energy efficiency by harnessing natural light.
The structure is supported by a diamond-shaped metal framework. This unusual design allows the building to distribute its weight evenly and withstand high levels of stress.
Sustainability and Engineering
Performance-based Design: The building’s design includes performance-based analysis to ensure it meets safety standards, particularly in terms of earthquake resistance. This ensures that the structure can withstand natural forces and remain stable during seismic events.
Sustainable Architecture: The building was designed to be energy-efficient, with features like a glass curtain wall that helps regulate temperature and reduces energy consumption.
Architectural Layout
Main Tower (主楼)
The Main Tower consists of two interlocking towers:
The taller tower stands at 234 meters with 52 floors.
The shorter tower is 194 meters high with 44 floors.
The towers are connected by a massive steel cantilever that extends 162 meters and weighs 18,000 tons. This structure gives the building its distinct shape and contributes to its innovative design.
The interior of the Main Tower is divided into five main functional areas:
Administrative Area (行政管理区)
Comprehensive Business Area (综合业务区)
News Production and Broadcasting Area (新闻制播区)
Broadcasting Area (播送区)
Program Production Area (节目制作区), which is partially open to the public.
TV Culture Center (电视文化中心)
This part of the building is a public cultural facility designed for media-related activities and public engagement. It includes:
A 5-star hotel
Recording studios
Digital cinemas
Exhibition halls
Performance stages
The hotel features 300 rooms arranged around a central atrium, with a rooftop restaurant offering spectacular views of the city.
Energy Service Center (能源服务中心)
The Energy Service Center serves as the backbone of the building’s infrastructure, providing essential energy support for the entire complex.
Significant Events
Olympics Coverage
In 2008, the CCTV Headquarters played a crucial role in broadcasting the Beijing Olympics, with its facilities being used to broadcast the games to the world.
Fire Drill and Safety Exercises
In 2014, CCTV and the Beijing Fire Department conducted a large-scale fire drill and evacuation exercise in the building to ensure the safety of employees and visitors.
Facade Cleaning
In 2015, the building underwent its first major facade cleaning since completion. The cleaning process took 40 days and was a significant effort due to the building’s size and unique structure.
Public Accessibility and Visitor Information
Location
The CCTV Headquarters is located at 32 East Third Ring Middle Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, in the city’s Central Business District (CBD).
How to Get There
By Bus: Lines 98, 113, 140, 405, 488, 650, and 687 stop at Guanghua Bridge North Station (光华桥北站).
By Subway: Take Line 10 of the Beijing Subway and get off at Jintai Xizhao Station (金台夕照站).
By Car: The CCTV Headquarters is about 3.3 kilometers from the Chaoyang District Government, a 16-minute drive.
Public Tours and Viewing
The CCTV Headquarters is not typically open for public tours, but there are special events and activities organized from time to time. Visitors can enjoy the striking exterior of the building from the surrounding public areas.
Awards and Recognition
2007: Time Magazine (《时代》周刊) ranked the building among the Top 10 Architectural Wonders of the World.
2012: Private Geography Magazine ranked it among the Top 5 Skyscrapers in the World.
2013: CTBUH awarded it the Best Tall Building in the World.
2014: It was named one of the Top 10 Contemporary Buildings in China.
Social Impact and Reception
Initially, the design of the CCTV Headquarters was met with skepticism, with critics calling it an “extremely crazy design.” However, over time, the building has become a symbol of modern China’s architectural ambition—bold, confident, and unafraid to challenge traditional norms. Despite the challenges posed by its unconventional shape and high construction costs, the building represents China’s rising stature on the global stage.
Hong Kong architect Yan Xunqi praised the building’s boldness, stating it represents a “spirit of confidence and fearlessness.”
Despite the challenges in design and safety, the CCTV Headquarters has come to symbolize China’s entry into the world of modern architecture.
