A new architectural symbol is rising in Nanjing’s Hexi Central Science and Technology Innovation Zone: JD Beacon, the future regional headquarters and R&D hub for JD.com. Designed by Büro Ole Scheeren, the 200-meter tower blends sculptural ambition with corporate purpose, positioning the development as a catalyst for Nanjing’s growing tech ecosystem.
Vision & Strategic Positioning
JD Beacon is conceived as a next-generation workplace that supports JD.com’s expansion across e-commerce, AI, logistics, robotics, and cloud technologies. Its location in the Jianye District places it at the heart of Nanjing’s fast-maturing innovation corridor, aligning the tower with government-led urban tech initiatives and adjacent headquarters from major Chinese technology firms.
The project aims to become a strategic gateway for talent, research, and enterprise collaboration — a synergistic platform where R&D facilities, office programs, and civic-minded design come together to strengthen Nanjing’s regional competitiveness.
Master Plan & Core Components
The development covers approximately 184,000 m² on a 26,000 m² site, integrating corporate, research, and urban functions into a cohesive architectural ensemble.
The tower’s massing is defined by interlocking transparent volumes that create stacked voids and carved terraces, allowing light, greenery, and outdoor circulation to weave through the structure. Surrounding the tower, a ring of low-rise volumes creates a human-scaled base, forming landscaped courtyards and a public plaza that softens the transition between corporate headquarters and the surrounding urban fabric.
Developers and Key Partners are integrated throughout the master plan: JD.com serves as the project client and end-user; Büro Ole Scheeren leads architectural design; engineering, construction, and local planning partners collaborate across structural systems, façade engineering, and precinct integration to ensure the complex performs as both a landmark and a functional workplace.
Core Elements
- 200-meter main tower with stepped, terraced geometry
- Approx. 156,000 m² of office space
- Approx. 27,000 m² of R&D, display, and innovation facilities
- Low-rise podium buildings arranged around a central plaza
- Landscaped public forecourt with pedestrian-first circulation
- Integrated green terraces and open-air collaboration zones
Development & Investment Potential
JD Beacon strengthens Nanjing’s bid to become a premier tech hub in East China by anchoring thousands of high-skill research and engineering roles. Its proximity to established innovation campuses and major transport routes amplifies its appeal for suppliers, data-driven enterprises, and start-ups seeking adjacency to JD.com’s ecosystem.
For investors and city planners, the building represents a long-horizon growth engine:
- It enhances local demand for housing, lifestyle, and service-sector development.
- It intensifies knowledge-economy clustering in the Hexi innovation belt.
- It positions Nanjing as a contender for nationwide tech headquarters beyond traditional coastal megacities.
Sustainability & Innovation
JD Beacon adopts a multidimensional sustainability strategy centered on user well-being, energy efficiency, and climatic responsiveness.
Key measures include:
- Terraced openings that promote natural ventilation and daylighting
- Envelope optimization for thermal control and reduced cooling loads
- Water-efficient landscaping across the public plaza and outdoor terraces
- Smart-building systems aligned with JD.com’s digital infrastructure
These features support more adaptable work environments while lowering long-term operational footprints.
Challenges & Considerations
As construction advances, several strategic considerations shape the project’s trajectory:
- Ensuring construction phasing aligns with JD.com’s rapid talent expansion
- Integrating advanced digital and robotic systems within an architectural framework still under development
- Balancing security requirements of a major tech headquarters with the public-facing nature of the plaza
- Coordinating transport access as surrounding districts densify
Urban Impact & Legacy
JD Beacon is designed not only to redefine JD.com’s presence in Nanjing, but to help transform the Hexi district into a landmark innovation center. The project merges public space, workplace transparency, and architectural expression to produce a headquarters that feels open rather than isolated.
Its terraces and stepped volumes introduce a new visual typology to the skyline, while the low-rise base enriches street-level life. Over time, the tower is expected to anchor a broader ecosystem of tech talent, entrepreneurship, and lifestyle development — reinforcing Nanjing’s ascent as a future-focused metropolitan hub.
JD Beacon stands as a confident architectural gesture and a strategic investment in innovation. It merges design excellence with corporate ambition, delivering a headquarters that is both iconic and purpose-built for the next wave of technological growth in China.
Project Facts & Figures
- Location: Hexi Central Science & Technology Innovation Zone, Nanjing, China
- Client: JD.com
- Architect: Büro Ole Scheeren
- Height: ~200 m
- Site Area: Approx. 26,300 m²
- Total GFA: Approx. 184,000 m²
- Primary Uses: Offices, R&D facilities, display and innovation spaces
- Construction Start: 2025
- Status: Under construction
