Plans to rebuild damaged CCTV building under way

Art critic Fang Zhenning, who has followed the CCTV debacle, said the initial talk was the building would be torn down immediately. However, during the last eight months, speculation rose that the northern wing was linked to the base of the main building, acting as an anchor.

"So the problem was gravity. Nobody can guarantee that the main building wouldn't sink or split if you move the entire wing building. Nobody dares," he said. However, Fang said recent reports by the media indicate that there are plans to tear off the surface of the building first. "I think that is a good sign. It means that they are not knocking down the whole building," he said.

Scheeren said a detailed investigation ordered by the State Council, the Cabinet, caused the delay and the investigation is nearly complete, clearing the way for repair work to begin soon.

"The reconstruction has not yet officially begun," he said. "However preparations are under way for the start, but no specific date has yet been set."

Rows of scaffolding are now visible around the perimeter of the charred tower, though no workers have been spotted on the site.

Scheeren gave no further details on a timeline for the reconstruction. But he said his firm OMA is also continuing work on the main CCTV headquarters and expects to be completed with that by next year.

"On the construction, the interior fit-out on the building, we're looking at completion of that sometime next year," he said.

The head of CCTV, Zhao Huayong, was replaced amid a high-level investigation ordered by the State Council, China's governing body. More than a dozen people have been arrested, including the former boss of CCTV's construction bureau, Xu Wei. News reports have alleged that he ordered the powerful pyrotechnics be used, while ignoring safety warnings.

The disaster prompted much public mocking from some Chinese who resent CCTV for producing dull propaganda-style programming while enjoying a monopoly on nationwide broadcasting. The company also has drawn jeers for spending lavishly on grandiose projects, such as its futuristic headquarters complex.

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