Fact Check: Does Hangzhou Regent International House 30,000 Residents?

At MandyNews.com, we’ve heard the whispers, the wild claims swirling around Hangzhou Regent International. Word on the digital street is this building in Hangzhou, China, is home to an eye-popping 30,000 residents, potentially making it the world’s largest residential structure. Time to separate fact from fiction and set the record straight.

Breaking Down the Buzz

The claim? A whopping 30,000 people call Hangzhou Regent International home. It’s a big statement, but it’s lacking something crucial: hard, concrete evidence. So, we decided to dig deeper, to really get to the heart of the matter.

Hangzhou Regent International: What’s the Real Deal?

Originally, this building aimed for the stars, planning for a life as a six-star hotel. But as fate would have it, it’s now a bustling shared apartment complex. Its halls are filled with “Hang Piao”— young professionals and internet stars who’ve found their community within these walls.

Counting Heads: A Population Investigation

Now, the numbers from China tell a different story than the viral claim. We’re looking at estimates ranging from 10,000 to 20,000 residents. Yes, the building’s been carved into smaller living spaces, packing in more people, but 30,000? That seems like a stretch.

Cutting Through the Hype

The truth is, the 30,000-resident claim doesn’t hold up under scrutiny. There’s just no solid evidence to back it up. So, while Hangzhou Regent International is indeed a populous place, the real number of residents seems to sit comfortably between 10,000 and 20,000.

VERDICT: BUSTED

Our deep dive reveals the reality: Hangzhou Regent International doesn’t house 30,000 residents. It’s a lively, bustling place, but the numbers just don’t climb that high.

Everything You Need To Know:

Hangzhou Regent International, originally envisioned as a luxurious six-star hotel, has transformed into a shared apartment complex housing a multitude of internet celebrities and online influencers.

Situated in Qianjiang Century City, Hangzhou, the building’s striking exterior belies its current purpose, with its interior now filled with subdivided units accommodating the city’s “Hang Piao” population.

Location and Description

Hangzhou Regent International is strategically located in Qianjiang Century City, Hangzhou, a thriving urban area. The building is easily accessible, with a mere 4-minute walk from Metro Line 2.

Its prominent high-rise structure and visually striking appearance make it a notable landmark in the city.

The building used to be a high-end, six-star hotel, but now it’s a shared apartment complex where a lot of internet celebrities and online influencers live.

Features and Management

Hangzhou Regent International combines the service functions and management styles of star hotels with the characteristics of modern office buildings in the information age.

This hybrid approach aims to provide tenants with a high-quality living experience, although the building’s transformation into a shared apartment has somewhat compromised this goal.

Even though the building’s original purpose has changed in a big way, the people in charge try to keep the same level of luxury and service.

Inhabitants

The inhabitants of Hangzhou Regent International are primarily “Hang Piao,” which refers to foreigners who have “drifted” to Hangzhou in search of better opportunities.

At least 10,000 people live in the building, and most of them are young professionals who just graduated or have been working for a few years.

Also, a number of Douyin celebrities and online anchors live in the complex, which has helped make it known as a place where internet personalities hang out.

Interior Design and Amenities

Hangzhou Regent International boasts a luxurious interior design, with a grand lobby and public areas that were created in collaboration with the United States-based HBA design firm.

The building’s units were originally designed as LOFT (duplex apartments), ranging from 74 to 222 square meters, with floor heights of about 5 to 6 meters.

However, as the building transitioned into a shared apartment complex, many landlords chose to divide these larger units into multiple smaller rooms to increase their rental income.

Because of this, the original design has changed a lot. Some 90-square-meter units are now split into at least six small single rooms, and 140-square-meter units are usually split into eight rooms. 

Rental Rates and Demand

Prices vary at Hangzhou Regent International, but the average rent for a single room is about 2,500 RMB (about $397) per month.

Despite the changes in the building’s original purpose, demand for rental units remains high.

Once a unit is listed for rent, it typically gets rented out within 3 to 5 days.

This high demand can be attributed to the building’s convenient location, well-designed public areas, and relatively affordable rents, with the cheapest options costing only 1,000 RMB (around $159 per month).

Challenges on the Horizon

But it’s not all smooth sailing. With so many residents in close quarters, noise and privacy become precious commodities. And with varying estimates on just how many people live here, not to mention fire safety concerns with all those subdivided units, there’s work to be done to ensure a safe, comfortable living environment.

In the end, while Hangzhou Regent International is indeed teeming with life, the tale of 30,000 residents is just that—a tale. We’ve sifted through the rumors, hunted down the facts, and now we’re laying it all out for you, our readers. Because at MandyNews.com, we believe in getting to the truth, no matter where it leads.

Sources of information & pictures: NetEase, Sina Finance, Hangzhou Zhenyouhaofang