What kind of interest have foreign businesses shown in making Taipei 101 their home?
Shen: Usually, before making a big investment in a major real-estate project, clients won’t make their intentions known. But based on discussions with the top real-estate agents, like Jones Lang LaSalle or Colliers Jardine, they say that almost all foreign players — say for example securities houses — have long set their current rental contracts with landlords to terminate close to the scheduled 2004 completion date of Taipei 101. So their intentions are clear. But I think that the last six months prior to completion will be the most crucial time for them to decide whether to move in or not. TT: That 2004 completion date is already two years behind schedule. What were the biggest delays in the project and what makes you believe you can keep on track for 2004? Shen: The podium tower, which is basically the shopping center complex that forms the first few ground levels of the complex that surrounds the main tower, underwent several design changes, which pushed back the schedule of the
