The following comment has been made in reference to Laopan (as Pan Shiyi's close friends may call him): If Pan Shiyi were in the IT business, he would be Zhang Chaoyang; If Zhang Chaoyang were in real estate, he would be Pan Shiyi. This is because both of them know how to "put on a show."
With legs crossed, Laopan is sitting in front of me and smiles bashfully: "I'm not as smart as Zhang Chaoyang." This same person who claims to be not that smart is the one who has taken The Commune By The Great Wall to La Bienniale de Venezia (a piece of news that's been generating a lot of buzz recently), who has turned NewTown into an alternative classic, and himself into an "entertainment star."
You win some, you lose some
Like other successful people, Pan Shiyi is very busy. Our interview was pushed back an hour behind schedule. Our initial topic of discussion was the entry of The Commune By The Great Wall into La Bienniale de Venezia. While chatting, his kicked off his shoes and sat in the chair with his legs crossed like a meditating monk. He seemed to convey a sense of mystery; however, people who know him well also know that this is simply his way of coming off a period of high stress.
Pan Shiyi says that if one wants something too much, one cannot control oneself. Somehow this has manifested in Pan Shiyi himself. He was determined and confident that he would win the bid for the title of "Lord of the Land", that is, of the five pieces of land in Guangqumen, which were directly adjacent to his Jianwai SOHO. In his bid for the title, Laopan and his colleagues kept their eyes on the land for three years and spent three months putting together two sets of books on planning and strategy. At the same time, La Bienniale de Venezia wrote to Laopan to say that The Commune By The Great Wall he invested in would probably be accepted into the exhibition. La Bienniale de Venezia has a history of more than a hundred years and is regarded as the industry's equivalent of the Oscars or Cannes Film Festival. This was the first time that a single project had been accepted at an architectural exhibition for La Bienniale de Venezia. Pan Shiyi considers that for someone who loves to design and build, to have one's work exhibited there is an honor of the highest order.
Pan Shiyi lapsed into anxiety because of the two things he found himself really wanting. During that time, he suffered from insomnia and felt that he had lost his sense of self-control. Thereupon he flew to Hainan and tried to regain his sense of calm.
In late March, the results of both events were announced. The title of "Lord of the Land" was taken by Guangzhou Fuli Real Estate Group. The Commune By The Great Wall was accepted by La Bienniale de Venezia. Laopan could relax, and he did.
In NewTown, there is a set of sculptures called "The Dreaming Pigs." Between miserable philosophers and happy pigs, Pan Shiyi chooses the latter. Pan says: "Not much can be gained through fighting or robbing. It is thanks to the effort I've made that things will really take shape. You naturally get what you put in."
Behind the Alternative
As you know, I cannot hope to understand Pan Shiyi's whole world in a two-hour interview. In my eyes, Pan Shiyi is not the kind of person to play by the rules. He's an innovator. He would rather lie in wait and surprise us.
Very often Laopan does not seem to fit the mold of a real estate tycoon. He frequents all kinds of popular parties. He has dressed up in a two thousand yuan outfit to win a best outfit award worth twenty thousand yuan. He also has a website in his name and adds to its message board. He makes many friends on the Internet and word has it that he personally met with a girl via the Internet. He is terrible with numbers and has to call someone else for help whenever journalists' questions involve certain numbers. But there is a unique method in the madness. Exquisite designs, his "last one out" system of incentives for sales staff and contractors, a no-questions-asked return policy, and the SOHO concept distinguish Pan Shiyi as a clear market leader. This is where his logic lies. While others were busy ear-marking land in Beijing, he announced his move into the Shanghai market.
If there's such a thing as an after-life, Pan Shiyi will still be building because as he says, "this is a career for a man. To watch a unique piece of architecture gradually take form from the horizon up, and to become a landmark-- that's happiness."
Photography by Chu Weiwen and Zhang Hongjiang
With legs crossed, Laopan is sitting in front of me and smiles bashfully: "I'm not as smart as Zhang Chaoyang." This same person who claims to be not that smart is the one who has taken The Commune By The Great Wall to La Bienniale de Venezia (a piece of news that's been generating a lot of buzz recently), who has turned NewTown into an alternative classic, and himself into an "entertainment star."
You win some, you lose some
Like other successful people, Pan Shiyi is very busy. Our interview was pushed back an hour behind schedule. Our initial topic of discussion was the entry of The Commune By The Great Wall into La Bienniale de Venezia. While chatting, his kicked off his shoes and sat in the chair with his legs crossed like a meditating monk. He seemed to convey a sense of mystery; however, people who know him well also know that this is simply his way of coming off a period of high stress.
Pan Shiyi says that if one wants something too much, one cannot control oneself. Somehow this has manifested in Pan Shiyi himself. He was determined and confident that he would win the bid for the title of "Lord of the Land", that is, of the five pieces of land in Guangqumen, which were directly adjacent to his Jianwai SOHO. In his bid for the title, Laopan and his colleagues kept their eyes on the land for three years and spent three months putting together two sets of books on planning and strategy. At the same time, La Bienniale de Venezia wrote to Laopan to say that The Commune By The Great Wall he invested in would probably be accepted into the exhibition. La Bienniale de Venezia has a history of more than a hundred years and is regarded as the industry's equivalent of the Oscars or Cannes Film Festival. This was the first time that a single project had been accepted at an architectural exhibition for La Bienniale de Venezia. Pan Shiyi considers that for someone who loves to design and build, to have one's work exhibited there is an honor of the highest order.
Pan Shiyi lapsed into anxiety because of the two things he found himself really wanting. During that time, he suffered from insomnia and felt that he had lost his sense of self-control. Thereupon he flew to Hainan and tried to regain his sense of calm.
In late March, the results of both events were announced. The title of "Lord of the Land" was taken by Guangzhou Fuli Real Estate Group. The Commune By The Great Wall was accepted by La Bienniale de Venezia. Laopan could relax, and he did.
In NewTown, there is a set of sculptures called "The Dreaming Pigs." Between miserable philosophers and happy pigs, Pan Shiyi chooses the latter. Pan says: "Not much can be gained through fighting or robbing. It is thanks to the effort I've made that things will really take shape. You naturally get what you put in."
Behind the Alternative
As you know, I cannot hope to understand Pan Shiyi's whole world in a two-hour interview. In my eyes, Pan Shiyi is not the kind of person to play by the rules. He's an innovator. He would rather lie in wait and surprise us.
Very often Laopan does not seem to fit the mold of a real estate tycoon. He frequents all kinds of popular parties. He has dressed up in a two thousand yuan outfit to win a best outfit award worth twenty thousand yuan. He also has a website in his name and adds to its message board. He makes many friends on the Internet and word has it that he personally met with a girl via the Internet. He is terrible with numbers and has to call someone else for help whenever journalists' questions involve certain numbers. But there is a unique method in the madness. Exquisite designs, his "last one out" system of incentives for sales staff and contractors, a no-questions-asked return policy, and the SOHO concept distinguish Pan Shiyi as a clear market leader. This is where his logic lies. While others were busy ear-marking land in Beijing, he announced his move into the Shanghai market.
If there's such a thing as an after-life, Pan Shiyi will still be building because as he says, "this is a career for a man. To watch a unique piece of architecture gradually take form from the horizon up, and to become a landmark-- that's happiness."
Photography by Chu Weiwen and Zhang Hongjiang
