Chicago has an impressive array of skyscrapers and in my opinion, some of the best in the world. Since the early 70s the Chicago skyline has been dominated by the big three, the Sears Tower, the Aon Center and the John Hancock Center. Steadily rising is a future member of this elite group, the Trump International Hotel and Tower. Now, whatever I may think of Donald Trump aside, I think this is a beautiful looking building that could complement almost any established skyline in the world. Its height is also respectable too.
More than 350 metres to the roof means it will stand out with the big three in Chicago, and with the Chicago Spire also under construction, the Chicago skyline is set to become one of the greatest in the world. Unfortunately, like so many other buildings, this tower could have been so much taller, hundreds of feet taller in fact. Alas the story goes that this was supposed to be one of the tallest buildings on earth, if not the tallest, but its height was scaled down after 9/11. At the end of the day however, I really like this building and think it will make a wonderful addition to the skyline of Chi-town. I've always wondered whether one city can request to build a duplicate of a building that pre-exists in another city. We could do with a replica of this in Brisbane.
Whilst NYC does have some promising projects planned, I cannot deny that Chicago's skyline in a few years will more than likely be the best in North America, with the Trump Tower, Chicago Spire, Waterview Tower and the Waldorf Astoria as welcome additions.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Monday, January 28, 2008
100 +
I like the fact that the floor counts of today's skyscrapers are increasing all the time. No longer are developers shying away from that legendary 100. Now, they climb to 100 and they keep going. New York City was and has so far been the only city to boast three buildings that contained 100 floors or more. As we all know they were unjustly deprived of two. This means that in the entire world there are four buildings that have at least 100 floors. Two members of this very exclusive club reside in Chicago, however I bring good news. This elite club is going to be accepting some new members in the next few years.
In the past, 100 floors served as Pillars of Hercules to the designers of skyscrapers the world over. They would approach 100 and then see inscribed upon it the phrase Non Plus Ultra, "nothing further beyond."
In the history of the skyscraper, only six have reached 100 floors or higher, and of them the newest was built in 2004. Why the apprehension towards building 100 floors? Elevators are no longer any problem, we've done it before, so we're going to do it again. Those who are constructing these behemoths no longer approach the legendary 100 floors and see Non Plus Ultra. No, now they see a whole new world of possibilities.
So, according to our friends at SkyscraperPage.com, as of now there are eight monsters with 100 floors or more under construction. The honour roll is as follows:
1. Burj Dubai, Dubai, 162-4?
2. Chicago Spire, Chicago, 150
3. International Commerce Centre, Hong Kong, 118
4. Freedom Tower, New York City, 108
5. Princess Tower, Dubai, 107
6. Guangzhou International Finance Center, Guangzhou, 103
7. Marina 101, Dubai, 101
8. Shanghai World Financial Centre, 100
Terrific news, splendid news. I think it's safe to say that at the end of the decade, Dubai will become the tallest and most visually spectacular city on earth. They are rewriting the books and I for one commend them on their valiant efforts.
Post Script: I am aware of a particular structure called Ryugyong Hotel in Pyongyang, North Korea. While it does contain 105 floors, it's more of a white elephant than a skyscraper.
In the past, 100 floors served as Pillars of Hercules to the designers of skyscrapers the world over. They would approach 100 and then see inscribed upon it the phrase Non Plus Ultra, "nothing further beyond."
In the history of the skyscraper, only six have reached 100 floors or higher, and of them the newest was built in 2004. Why the apprehension towards building 100 floors? Elevators are no longer any problem, we've done it before, so we're going to do it again. Those who are constructing these behemoths no longer approach the legendary 100 floors and see Non Plus Ultra. No, now they see a whole new world of possibilities.
So, according to our friends at SkyscraperPage.com, as of now there are eight monsters with 100 floors or more under construction. The honour roll is as follows:
1. Burj Dubai, Dubai, 162-4?
2. Chicago Spire, Chicago, 150
3. International Commerce Centre, Hong Kong, 118
4. Freedom Tower, New York City, 108
5. Princess Tower, Dubai, 107
6. Guangzhou International Finance Center, Guangzhou, 103
7. Marina 101, Dubai, 101
8. Shanghai World Financial Centre, 100
Terrific news, splendid news. I think it's safe to say that at the end of the decade, Dubai will become the tallest and most visually spectacular city on earth. They are rewriting the books and I for one commend them on their valiant efforts.
Post Script: I am aware of a particular structure called Ryugyong Hotel in Pyongyang, North Korea. While it does contain 105 floors, it's more of a white elephant than a skyscraper.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Freedom Tower
It was pleasing to see that New York City is currently constructing a new World Trade Center, on a site which otherwise would continue to exist as a white elephant. The first design the city was looking at building was an absolute disaster, actually I do remember there were several designs that were all competing to be selected as the new World Trade Center. None of them were worthy to be built on such hallowed ground.
New Yorkers decided in no uncertain terms that these designs were to go. Eventually the Freedom Tower was decided upon, a 108 floor tower that only has 82 floors for office space, yet had a roof height identical to that of 1 WTC. I will admit that the look of the building is growing on me and I find it clever how the building twists as it ascends. The base of the building, however, needs to be redesigned. The glass tower can look quite majestic, but the concrete base is doing it no favours.
If an identical tower were built adjacent to the Freedom Tower then I would have no qualms about the design at all, since the lack of a twin tower doesn’t quite sit well with me. One popular design that was ultimately ignored suggested rebuilding the towers almost exactly as they were, only this time the towers would be a dark-grey colour and contain 111 floors each. It would have been magnificent, and in an age where tapering towers are king, it would have been held in high regard. It is rare for skyscrapers of that height to contain the same amount of office space on the top floor as there is on the first.
Of course no design will be universally accepted, yet in lieu of a twin tower, why couldn’t there be more usable floors. The Chicago Spire will reign supreme in Chicago with 150 floors, and until recently the Crown Las Vegas was going to contain 142 floors, until the FAA showed up and ruined the party. Only joking, they’re just doing their job.
It does vex me that developers are cautious about building tall in New York ever since 9/11. What about all that determined American spirit that was to ensure that ‘the terrorists don’t win?’ While I am pleased that the building’s roof isn’t shorter than its predecessor, I just don’t understand why the floor count couldn’t be matched. I have no doubt there are reasons for these decisions, reasons we may not all agree with. Nevertheless, it is a valiant effort, and hopefully when it’s built I’ll learn to love it.
New Yorkers decided in no uncertain terms that these designs were to go. Eventually the Freedom Tower was decided upon, a 108 floor tower that only has 82 floors for office space, yet had a roof height identical to that of 1 WTC. I will admit that the look of the building is growing on me and I find it clever how the building twists as it ascends. The base of the building, however, needs to be redesigned. The glass tower can look quite majestic, but the concrete base is doing it no favours.
If an identical tower were built adjacent to the Freedom Tower then I would have no qualms about the design at all, since the lack of a twin tower doesn’t quite sit well with me. One popular design that was ultimately ignored suggested rebuilding the towers almost exactly as they were, only this time the towers would be a dark-grey colour and contain 111 floors each. It would have been magnificent, and in an age where tapering towers are king, it would have been held in high regard. It is rare for skyscrapers of that height to contain the same amount of office space on the top floor as there is on the first.
Of course no design will be universally accepted, yet in lieu of a twin tower, why couldn’t there be more usable floors. The Chicago Spire will reign supreme in Chicago with 150 floors, and until recently the Crown Las Vegas was going to contain 142 floors, until the FAA showed up and ruined the party. Only joking, they’re just doing their job.
It does vex me that developers are cautious about building tall in New York ever since 9/11. What about all that determined American spirit that was to ensure that ‘the terrorists don’t win?’ While I am pleased that the building’s roof isn’t shorter than its predecessor, I just don’t understand why the floor count couldn’t be matched. I have no doubt there are reasons for these decisions, reasons we may not all agree with. Nevertheless, it is a valiant effort, and hopefully when it’s built I’ll learn to love it.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Brisbane
This blog is merely my two cents worth on the international skyscraper scene. Anyone who has an interest in these majestic structures may have an interest in what I have to say. So on that note, welcome and may your visit provide enjoyable reading material.
Since I am based in Brisbane, Australia I figured this can be the logical place to start. Now according to some definitions, although there really isn't an official definition, a supertall skyscraper is any building whose roof or spire exceeds 300m. Going by this, Brisbane doesn't have any supertall skyscrapers, although it had the opportunity to build a monster 450m building, twice. At the time of these proposals, Brisbane just wasn't ready to have such humongous (that's a great word) buildings.
When I was growing up, the Brisbane skyline was dominated by three buildings: Central Plaza One, Waterfront Place and the Riverside Centre. Personally I never quite took a liking to Central Plaza One, which held the crown as Brisbane's tallest for 17 years or so. On the whole, the 1990s was quite a stagnant decade for Brisbane skyscraper-wise.
That was until the arrival of Riparian Plaza. At 53 floors it ended CP1's reign of terror over Brisbane and ushered in a new era of modern skyline altering buildings. Shortly after the Aurora Tower, with 69 floors, took the crown from Riparian Plaza. Then on the other side of the CBD rose the somewhat controversial Brisbane Square which citizens either liked, loathed or didn't quite know what the hell to make of it.
And then . . . nothing. The tallest completed building has stood uncontested for almost two years. Thanks to the Internet I have discovered that some monsters are on the way for Brisbane. Of course, any building of considerable height is welcomed in Brisbane, but when a building comes along to take the title of tallest, that is something special.
Thus, if construction goes ahead as planned, Brisbane will look quite spectacular in 2010. The tallest building crown will pass from structure to structure and it should be very interesting to watch the various buildings climb into the sky.
As for what's on the horizon for Brisbane, well it appears that Vision is the tallest building planned for the city at least for now. I'm certain though that this wave of new towers should keep us happy for a while at least.
Riparian Plaza was the herald of the 200m + era for Brisbane skyscrapers. I believe that Vision will pave the way for a 300m building and finally give Brisbane a 'true' supertall skyscraper.
Since I am based in Brisbane, Australia I figured this can be the logical place to start. Now according to some definitions, although there really isn't an official definition, a supertall skyscraper is any building whose roof or spire exceeds 300m. Going by this, Brisbane doesn't have any supertall skyscrapers, although it had the opportunity to build a monster 450m building, twice. At the time of these proposals, Brisbane just wasn't ready to have such humongous (that's a great word) buildings.
When I was growing up, the Brisbane skyline was dominated by three buildings: Central Plaza One, Waterfront Place and the Riverside Centre. Personally I never quite took a liking to Central Plaza One, which held the crown as Brisbane's tallest for 17 years or so. On the whole, the 1990s was quite a stagnant decade for Brisbane skyscraper-wise.
That was until the arrival of Riparian Plaza. At 53 floors it ended CP1's reign of terror over Brisbane and ushered in a new era of modern skyline altering buildings. Shortly after the Aurora Tower, with 69 floors, took the crown from Riparian Plaza. Then on the other side of the CBD rose the somewhat controversial Brisbane Square which citizens either liked, loathed or didn't quite know what the hell to make of it.
And then . . . nothing. The tallest completed building has stood uncontested for almost two years. Thanks to the Internet I have discovered that some monsters are on the way for Brisbane. Of course, any building of considerable height is welcomed in Brisbane, but when a building comes along to take the title of tallest, that is something special.
Thus, if construction goes ahead as planned, Brisbane will look quite spectacular in 2010. The tallest building crown will pass from structure to structure and it should be very interesting to watch the various buildings climb into the sky.
As for what's on the horizon for Brisbane, well it appears that Vision is the tallest building planned for the city at least for now. I'm certain though that this wave of new towers should keep us happy for a while at least.
Riparian Plaza was the herald of the 200m + era for Brisbane skyscrapers. I believe that Vision will pave the way for a 300m building and finally give Brisbane a 'true' supertall skyscraper.
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