The Guangzhou International Cultural Center (GICC), a new office tower set to become the city's cultural landmark, launched its global leasing program on January 23 to attract companies in the cultural sector.

Guangzhou International Cultural Center (middle) and surrounding buildings.

According to Wang Zihao, head of leasing for the project, tenants will be able to tap into publishing, academic and think-tank resources linked to Southern Publishing Media, the developer of the building and one of China's most influential publishing groups. 

Tan Juntie, chairman of Southern Publishing Media, said at the launch event that the building was designed to serve as a cultural landmark with international reach.

Spanning roughly 162,000 square meters, the tower was designed by FGP, an architecture firm led by US-based architect Francisco Gonzalez-Pulido. The stepped exterior draws inspiration from the traditional Chinese concept of a "mountain of books," a reference to the accumulation of knowledge. Gonzalez-Pulido said the design was centered on knowledge as a peak to climb.

An exhibition wall showing the design drafts of Guangzhou International Cultural Center.

GICC sits within the Pazhou Smart City Demonstration Zone, an area that has become a focal point for technology and innovation-driven companies in Guangzhou. The site is connected to Metro Lines 8 and 18, providing direct rail access to Guangzhounan railway station in about 30 minutes and Baiyun International Airport in 50 minutes.

The launch comes as the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area speeds up the development of its cultural and creative sectors. A 2025 report by the Institute of Industrial Economics at Jinan University shows Guangdong's cultural industry revenue has ranked first nationwide for 22 consecutive years.