Building economy thrives in Guanshanhu modern service zone

The Guanshanhu Modern Service Industry Pilot Zone in Guiyang, capital of Southwest China's Guizhou province, has seen rapid growth during the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period.

Data shows that the vacancy rate of commercial buildings in the zone has fallen from 33.53 percent at the end of 2020 to 13.09 percent today, meaning nearly nine out of 10 offices are now occupied.

"We've witnessed the shift from quantitative to qualitative growth," said Chen Peng, director of the zone's economic research division, as he stood before an intelligent data screen displaying real-time operational information of 23,700 building-based enterprises.

In response to past development bottlenecks, the zone pioneered a new approach to building an industrial ecosystem – introducing the role of "building managers".

"We function like a hospital triage desk," Chen explained. "Property issues go to property managers, hiring needs are linked to talent departments, and financial challenges are connected with the Financial City's resources." This precise service model ensures that enterprises can have their needs addressed without even leaving the building.

Alongside in-person services, the zone's digital "smart brain" continues to evolve. The "Guanguan Building Hub" smart management platform consolidates data from market regulation, taxation, and other departments, providing a complete picture of 137 buildings, including their vacancy levels and industry distribution.

This enables targeted investment promotion and better resource allocation. The platform's "Enterprise Service Response Mechanism" further improves efficiency and strengthens confidence among tenant companies.

Fifteen specialized industrial buildings have since arisen, creating a unique "vertical industrial park" landscape. Industries such as cultural media, financial services, and big data are clustering and expanding, filling the buildings with the sound of keyboards and the momentum of growth.

As the province's first modern service pilot zone, Guanshanhu has shown strong appeal in financial services. The Guanshanhu Fund Town – Guizhou's only financial services-themed town –  has become a major magnet for capital.

By October, it had attracted 59 fund enterprises with a subscribed scale of 162.57 billion yuan ($22.90 billion), establishing itself as the province's core hub for mother funds. This growing pool of capital continues to drive growth in the real economy.

"Funds have invested in 610 projects across 18 sectors, including manufacturing and the digital economy," Chen noted. Through a "fund-driven investment" model, 23 high-quality enterprises have been brought into the zone, forming a positive cycle of "capital + industry".

The flourishing building economy has also led to service refinements and innovations. Several key buildings are preparing new "micro commercial spaces" on their ground floors, set to introduce boutique cafes and light dining options.

"We want talent to work efficiently and live comfortably," Chen said. Recent surveys show that satisfaction with surrounding amenities has reached 95 percent. According to zone officials, efforts to integrate "buildings + street blocks" have allowed employees to enjoy high-quality services without stepping far from their offices. Enterprise satisfaction in the zone has remained above 95 percent.