Beijing, Jan 30 (Xinhua) The Bird’s Nest, which was a showpiece of the 2008 Olympics, will be converted into an entertainment and shopping centre in three to five years, Citic Group said here Friday. At the same time , it will seek to hold more sports and cultural performances.
The Bird’s Nest will continue to have tourism as its major business, while gradually tapping its auxiliary commercial facilities and turning them into a centre for entertainment and shopping, said the Citic Group.
It will also actively hold sports games and entertainment performances, said the company, adding that it seeks to further promote the brand of the National Stadium, the major venue for the Beijing Olympics.
Citic Group has established Beijing Urban Construction Group and Golden State Holding Group Corporation to focus on the operation of the Bird’s Nest business.
According to the company, maintenance of the 250,000-square-metre National Stadium will annually cost 60 million yuan (about $8.82 million).
