Inside a Vertical City: Life Inside One of the World’s Largest Apartment Complexes

As cities around the world continue to expand at unprecedented rates, urban planners and architects are facing a shared challenge: how to house growing populations efficiently without sacrificing livability. In China, where rapid urbanization has reshaped skylines in just a few decades, this challenge has inspired bold architectural experiments. One of the most striking examples is Regent International, a massive residential complex in Hangzhou that has drawn global attention for its scale, design, and vision of high-density living.

Often described as a “vertical city,” Regent International is not simply an apartment building. With more than 20,000 residents currently living within its walls and the capacity to accommodate tens of thousands more, it represents a new approach to urban housing—one that compresses daily life into a single, self-contained structure. Admired by some as a model of efficiency and criticized by others as impersonal, the building has become a focal point in discussions about the future of cities.

This article explores the design, daily life, advantages, and challenges of living in one of the world’s most densely populated residential buildings, offering insight into what such developments may mean for urban living in the decades ahead.

A Landmark of Modern Urban Design

Located in the heart of Hangzhou, a major technology and innovation hub in eastern China, Regent International rises prominently above its surroundings. The building’s distinctive S-shaped design immediately sets it apart from conventional high-rise apartments. This form is not merely aesthetic; it helps maximize natural light exposure, improve airflow, and enhance structural stability across the building’s immense footprint.

The project was designed by Alicia Loo, an architect internationally recognized for her role in large-scale, mixed-use developments, including Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands. Her approach to Regent International focused on combining residential density with functionality, ensuring that the building could support not just housing, but the full spectrum of everyday urban needs.

Standing approximately 675 feet tall, the complex contains thousands of individual living units, ranging from compact studio apartments to larger shared spaces. Rather than expanding outward across scarce urban land, the structure grows upward, embodying a vertical response to population pressure.

A Self-Contained Urban Ecosystem

One of the defining characteristics of Regent International is its mixed-use design. Unlike traditional apartment buildings that rely heavily on surrounding neighborhoods for services, this complex integrates essential amenities directly into its interior.

Residents have access to:

Grocery stores and convenience shops
Restaurants and cafés
Fitness centers and swimming pools
Study rooms and coworking spaces
Small offices and service providers

This design allows residents to meet most of their daily needs without leaving the building. For many, particularly young professionals and students, this level of convenience is a significant advantage.

A resident who works in digital media describes the experience as “extremely efficient,” noting that daily errands, meals, and workspaces are all located within minutes of their apartment. This internal infrastructure reduces commuting time, lowers transportation costs, and supports a lifestyle centered on accessibility.

Who Lives There—and Why?

The resident population of Regent International is diverse, but it is especially popular among:

Young professionals working in technology and creative industries
University students and recent graduates
Freelancers and remote workers
Individuals seeking affordable housing near city centers

Monthly rents typically range from approximately $200 to $600, depending on unit size and layout. Many apartments are compact, often under 300 square feet, and designed with modular furniture and smart storage solutions to maximize functionality in limited space.

For residents, affordability and location often outweigh concerns about size. In a city where housing costs continue to rise, the building offers an accessible entry point into urban life.

Daily Life Inside a High-Density Community

Life inside Regent International follows rhythms similar to those of a small city. Lower levels are lively throughout the day, with constant movement as residents shop, eat, and commute within the building. These areas resemble indoor commercial districts, complete with bright lighting, signage, and steady foot traffic.

Higher floors are generally quieter, designed to provide a sense of separation between public and private spaces. Narrow hallways connect rows of apartments, and small communal areas offer places for brief interaction or rest.

For some residents, the environment fosters convenience and efficiency. Remote workers, in particular, appreciate the ability to balance work and daily life without long commutes. However, others note that spending extended periods indoors can blur the boundaries between work, rest, and leisure.

Benefits of Vertical Living

Supporters of high-density residential developments point to several advantages:

1. Efficient Land Use

By housing thousands of people within a single footprint, buildings like Regent International reduce urban sprawl and preserve surrounding land.

2. Reduced Transportation Demand

With amenities located on-site, residents often rely less on cars and public transport, potentially lowering emissions and congestion.

3. Shared Resources

Centralized energy systems, waste management, and communal facilities can improve efficiency and reduce per-capita resource consumption.

4. Affordability

High-density housing can help stabilize rental prices by increasing supply in desirable urban areas.

From a sustainability perspective, these factors make vertical living an appealing solution for cities facing population growth and environmental constraints.

Challenges and Criticisms

Despite its advantages, Regent International has also sparked debate among urban planners, sociologists, and residents themselves.

Limited Personal Space

Compact apartments require residents to adapt to minimal living areas. While efficient design helps, some people find the lack of space challenging over time.

Noise and Congestion

With thousands of residents sharing corridors, elevators, and facilities, noise and crowding can be ongoing concerns, particularly during peak hours.

Psychological Considerations

Urban sociologists have raised questions about the emotional impact of living in such dense environments. While people are physically close, meaningful social interaction may still be limited.

Professor Liu Zhen of Zhejiang University has observed that high-density buildings can sometimes create a sense of anonymity. Digital communication often replaces face-to-face interaction, and community ties may remain shallow unless actively cultivated.

Community in the Vertical Age

To address social challenges, Regent International includes shared lounges, gyms, and rooftop areas designed to encourage interaction. Informal communities often form around common interests, such as fitness, study groups, or creative work.

However, participation varies. Some residents value privacy and independence, while others seek stronger social connections. The building provides the infrastructure for community, but engagement ultimately depends on individual choice.

This highlights a broader truth about modern urban living: architecture can create opportunities for connection, but it cannot guarantee them.

A Response to Urban Reality

Regent International did not emerge in isolation. It is a direct response to several converging trends:

Rapid urban population growth
Limited availability of central city land
Rising housing costs
Increased demand for convenience-driven lifestyles

From this perspective, the building represents pragmatism rather than ideology. It prioritizes efficiency, accessibility, and scalability in a context where traditional housing models may no longer suffice.

Developers involved in the project describe it as a prototype—one possible answer to the question of how cities might function when space becomes increasingly scarce.

Global Interest and Future Implications

As images and videos of Regent International circulate online, architects and city planners around the world are paying close attention. Similar high-density residential concepts are being explored across Asia and beyond, often with modifications aimed at improving comfort, access to natural light, and community engagement.

Future iterations may incorporate:

Larger shared green spaces
Improved sound insulation
Greater access to outdoor areas
Enhanced community programming

These adaptations suggest that while the vertical city model is still evolving, its influence on urban design is likely to grow.

Rethinking Home in the 21st Century

For its residents, Regent International is neither a utopia nor a cautionary tale—it is simply home. It offers affordability, convenience, and proximity to opportunity, balanced against limited space and high density.

The building challenges traditional ideas of what a home should be. Instead of private yards and expansive interiors, it emphasizes access, efficiency, and shared infrastructure. Whether this model becomes more widespread will depend on how successfully future developments address both physical and emotional aspects of urban life.

Conclusion: A Glimpse Into Tomorrow’s Cities

Regent International stands as a powerful symbol of modern urban ambition. It demonstrates how architecture can respond creatively to population pressure while also revealing the limits of design in addressing human needs beyond efficiency.

As cities continue to grow, the lessons learned from this vertical community will shape future housing strategies worldwide. The building invites us to ask important questions: How much space do we truly need? What defines community in dense environments? And how can cities balance convenience with quality of life?

The answers will define the next chapter of urban living.

Inside One of the World’s Largest Residential Buildings: Life in a 20,000-Resident Vertical Community