MVRDV's proposal involves creating an inner courtyard space surrounded by office buildings , a sunken plaza with shops connected the metro station and a pedestrian path for circulation. The area, with good public transport links and pedestrian connection will attract people to come and enjoy a calm and intimate atmosphere, in contrast to the bustling surrounds of Shanghai's outskirts.

The square floor plan is particularly efficient for flexible office use: each office tower can be divided into two separate units or more according to the tenants requirements. By introducing a double lobby concept, each tenant can have their own individual lobby and lift, a rare luxury in a shared office building. The façade of the office towers is 50% glazed and 50% clad, which allows it to meet the stringent requirements of sustainable building regulation. The façade pattern is inspired by Chinese bamboo, with a subtly shifted grid and bands that tilt in the prevailing wind direction. The pattern is regularized with 10% of the panels customized for variety and visual interest. The cubic volumes vary in size and height, and together with the facades, create a collective yet individual character, a sort of unified family of buildings which are related yet different.

Hongqiao CBD is currently under construction, with the main office building to be completed in mid-2015, and the entire development completed in 2016.