shekou, part of the qianhai-shekou free trade zone, is planning to bring new life to vacant lots and deserted factories as part of an effort to build a coastal startup and innovation belt.
china merchants group, which manages shekou, is hoping to complete 10 projects in three to five years. the existing nh e-cool, a creative industry park transformed from an old factory complex, will be part of the coastal startup and innovation belt.
the 10 projects include a huge complex made of shipping containers, which will be built in the former parking lot of the shekou ferry terminal. the 26,000-square-meter complex will house the chaoren wharf new media industry park.
the complex will have six structures, including two small office home office (soho) buildings and four office buildings for 150 to 200 startup companies. the soho buildings will provide entrepreneurs and staff members with about 300 25-square-meter apartments.
another project aims to turn a deserted glass factory into a creative industry park. the factory, which was built in 1987, was the first place in guangdong to perform an advanced form of glass making using imported equipment. the factory area will keep some of its structures and facilities as a salute to shekou's industrialization during china' early reform and opening-up era.
a restaurant will be built on the top of a 28-meter-tall silo, giving a view of prince bay and other parts of shekou. lecture halls, a cafe, a book bar and apartments will be built in the complex. some old structures will be renovated into maker spaces, show rooms for high-tech products and serviced offices.
according to a plan by china merchants group, the highlights of shekou's new coastal startup and innovation belt will include shekou net valley, nh e-cool, sea world and the prince bay cruise ship home port.
