A jaw-dropping apartment complex in China has gone viral on TikTok, leaving viewers stunned by its sheer size and futuristic design. Known as the “Dystopian Apartment,” the Regent International building in Hangzhou is a self-contained vertical city housing 30,000 residents.
Designed by Alicia Loo, the architect behind Singapore’s famous Sands Hotel, the 675-foot-tall structure features an innovative S-shape and includes everything from supermarkets to swimming pools. The idea is to provide residents with all daily necessities without requiring them to step outside.
While the nickname suggests a bleak, sci-fi-like existence, the reality is more practical. The building primarily caters to students and young professionals who appreciate its affordability and convenience, with rents starting at just 1,500 RMB per month.
Critics point to cramped living conditions and minimal outdoor space, but supporters argue that such high-density housing could be a solution to urban overcrowding. Similar concepts exist in places like Whittier, Alaska, where nearly the entire town lives in a single high-rise.
The debate continues, but one thing is certain: this building challenges our ideas about modern living. Could this be the future of cities?
