Regent International in Hangzhou, China, houses 20,000 people with shops, gyms, and food courts inside. Discover the world’s largest apartment block.
Inside China’s “City Within a Building”
In Hangzhou, China, stands one of the most extraordinary apartment complexes in the world — the Regent International Apartment Complex. This massive, S-shaped skyscraper is often called the largest and most densely populated residential building in the world, with an estimated 20,000 people living inside.
The giant structure rises 675 feet tall and covers over 260,000 square meters. With more than 5,000 apartments, it has become a unique community where residents can live, work, and socialize without ever stepping outside.
A City Under One Roof
What makes Regent International so unique is not just its size, but also its design. The complex functions like a mini city, offering nearly everything residents might need:
- Huge food courts
- Supermarkets
- Barber shops & nail salons
- Internet cafés
- Swimming pools
- Workspaces
Essentially, it’s possible to live your entire life inside the building. This “self-contained lifestyle” has earned the complex both fascination and criticism, with some calling it a dystopian dream.
Designed as a Luxury Hotel, Now a Housing Giant
Originally designed by Alicia Loo, the chief designer of the Singapore Sands Hotel, the Regent International was meant to be a luxury six-star hotel. Over time, it transformed into a residential block, becoming one of the most talked-about urban housing projects in China.
The apartments range from tiny studios (some without windows) to larger units with balconies. Prices are surprisingly affordable compared to Western cities. Small windowless rooms rent for around 1,500 RMB ($210) per month, while bigger apartments with balconies go for about 4,000 RMB ($570).
To put this in perspective, renting an apartment in New York City costs an average of $4,000 per month — making Regent International a much cheaper option for young professionals, students, and recent graduates.
Viral Fame on Social Media
The building has gone viral multiple times, thanks to TikTok videos showcasing its vast scale and unusual design. Drone footage reveals just how massive and futuristic the structure looks from above, fueling global curiosity about life inside.
A Modern “Vertical City”
With 20,000 residents and endless facilities, Regent International stands as a symbol of China’s high-density urban housing solutions. For some, it’s a convenient and affordable way of living. For others, it’s a glimpse into a dystopian future where cities are built upward instead of outward.
Either way, the building has secured its place as one of the world’s most fascinating — and controversial — places to live.