Construction of 6,900 talent apartments and some stand-alone houses for talents, together with auxiliary facilities including a kindergarten, commenced on Aug 24 and is to be completed by 2021. The project is a key part of Phase 1 of Hengqin Science City.

The largest engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract ever in the country's housing construction history is valued at 10.5 billion yuan ($1.6 billion) and is being undertaken by China Construction 3rd Engineering Bureau Co, a world Top 500 enterprise.

Twelve houses with ownership rights shared by the government and private buyers and 16 apartment buildings, as well as three hotels and other commercial components, will be constructed. 

Rendering of Hengqin Science City Phase I [Photo courtesy hengqin.gov.cn]

The project will create 30 hectares (74 acres) of floor space expected to accommodate nearly 10,000 employees, according to Zhang Xin, executive deputy general manager of the builder's South China division.

The Hengqin Science City Phase I is located west of West Ring Road and south of North Qinhai Road in Hengqin New Area. It will eventually cost 15 billion yuan ($2.3 billion).

According to Zhuhai Da Heng Qin Science City Development & Management, the project developer, the site will be dedicated to artificial intelligence, big data, cloud computing, and life science with emphasis on urban functions for industry-city integration. It is designed to be a leading modern green comprehensive industrial park.

Construction site [Photo by Chen Xinnian / Zhuhai Daily]