Tag Archives: tower

Canada’s Tallest Building Takes Shape as SkyTower Reaches Historic 100-Storey Mark

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Toronto’s skyline is witnessing a transformation that will redefine Canadian architecture for generations. The Pinnacle SkyTower, designed by Hariri Pontarini Architects, has become the first building in Canada to surpass 100 storeys, marking a pivotal moment in the country’s architectural evolution. When completed in 2026, the supertall will stand at 351.85 metres across 106 floors, claiming the title of Canada’s tallest building.

David Pontarini, founding partner of the Toronto-based firm, envisioned the tower as a direct response to its prominent location at the foot of Yonge Street. The design needed to make a statement worthy of Canada’s longest street while respecting the unique waterfront context. What emerged was a 12-sided crystalline form that catches light from every angle, its glazed surfaces and tapered profile creating a sculptural presence that shifts throughout the day. The geometric complexity serves more than aesthetic ambitions. The dodecahedron shape helps the tower withstand powerful winds sweeping across Lake Ontario, while vertical fins emphasize its soaring height. A distinctive flying buttress connects the tower to its podium base, where horizontal banding creates a visual counterpoint to the vertical thrust above. The podium’s curving form mirrors the natural bend of the lakeshore, anchoring the tower in its surroundings.

Designer: Hariri Pontarini Architects

Engineering a building this tall presented extraordinary challenges. Project architect Nadine El-Gazzar and her team grappled with wind pressure, structural requirements, and the stack effect, which pulls air upward through elevator shafts at tremendous speeds. A custom-designed tuned mass damper will counteract the building’s sway, ensuring comfort for residents on the uppermost floors. These technical solutions remain invisible to observers, allowing the tower’s elegant profile to take center stage.

The mixed-use program reflects contemporary urban living. Over 950 residential units range from intimate 520-square-foot homes to expansive 2,300-square-foot residences. A 220-room Le Méridien hotel occupies the lower twelve floors, while a restaurant on the 106th floor will offer unparalleled views at the same elevation as the CN Tower’s main observation deck. Amenities include a pool, yoga studio, and fitness center, with retail connections to Toronto’s underground pedestrian network at street level.

The project’s ambition grew during development. Originally planned at 95 storeys, a variance request in March 2025 added eleven floors, pushing the design into record-breaking territory. Construction has progressed steadily since groundwork began, with the exterior cladding now substantially complete on the lower sections. The tower rises from the Pinnacle One Yonge development, which transformed the former Toronto Star site into a six-building complex that’s reshaping the city’s waterfront.

Environmental considerations shaped key infrastructure decisions. The development connects to the Enwave Deep Lake Water Cooling system, which draws frigid water from Lake Ontario’s depths for efficient climate control. Pinnacle International president Michael De Cotiis captured the significance: “We have created a landmark, one that is making history not only for Toronto, but for all of Canada.” As SkyTower climbs toward completion, it represents both technical achievement and architectural ambition, a jewel-like form that will anchor Toronto’s skyline for decades to come.

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This 21-Story Tower Has 104 Green Balconies Inspired by Gaudí

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Taichung’s skyline is about to get a dramatic new addition. MVRDV has secured construction permission for The Island, a 21-story residential tower that reimagines urban living through organic curves, ceramic artistry, and an ambitious vertical garden system. Rising where the city’s North and Beitun districts meet, the project stands in stark contrast to Taiwan’s typical boxy residential architecture. The façade takes direct inspiration from Antoni Gaudí’s mosaic techniques, wrapping white ceramic tiles of varying sizes around flowing curves. Larger pieces cover flat surfaces while finer, granular patterns smooth out tighter bends. This careful choreography maintains continuity across every undulation, creating a sculptural presence that shifts in the light and glows against the surrounding commercial blocks.

The Island earns its name through sheer commitment to greenery. The 9,000-square-meter development packs in 104 private balconies with planted areas, five communal three-story balconies, and 38 standalone façade planters. Street-level planting connects the building to the ground, while a rooftop garden terrace crowns the structure. The plant selection mirrors the biodiversity of Taichung province, turning the tower into a living catalog of regional flora. Each communal balcony carves out a three-story recess that brings depth to the façade while offering planted terraces with sweeping views over the city.

Designer: MVRDV

The green ambition responds to Taichung’s liveable building regulations, which push developers toward outdoor space and vegetation. The site tells its own story of rapid urban transformation. Once positioned near the city’s edge, it now sits deep within a densely packed commercial neighborhood following Beitun District’s explosive 21st-century growth. The Island offers a counterpoint to this density, creating an oasis of planted terraces that rise through the urban fabric. The organic presence softens hard edges that define the surrounding blocks.

MVRDV founding partner Jacob van Rijs frames the design challenge plainly: residential buildings in Taiwan must follow standardized, efficient layouts. Character has to come from details rather than radical spatial experiments. The Island finds its identity through soft curves, the Gaudí-inspired finish, and greenery integrated as part of an organic system rather than stuck on as decoration. Van Rijs describes bringing a soft touch to a city full of boxes, with the building’s character emerging from careful attention to craft and natural integration. Curvature becomes the organizing principle that determines how outdoor rooms and planted pockets arrange themselves along the façade.

Seventy-six apartments sit above two floors dedicated to commercial space and communal amenities, including dining rooms, lounges, and karaoke spaces. The focus on community living targets middle-class buyers and young couples. Shared spaces recognize that urban liveability stretches beyond individual units to encompass social interaction and collective experience. The five communal balconies distributed throughout the building’s height create gathering points that encourage resident interaction while providing access to outdoor planted areas at multiple levels. These shared terraces function as vertical parks, bringing ground-level public space up into the residential floors.

Sustainability reaches beyond visible greenery to encompass broader environmental considerations. The project addresses carbon emissions alongside biodiversity goals, positioning itself within larger ecological conversations about dense urban development. The Gaudí-inspired ceramic technique provides aesthetic distinction while ensuring a durable, easy-to-maintain exterior that will age gracefully. The Island represents MVRDV’s ongoing investigation into how residential towers can soften cities dominated by right angles and glass boxes. Through historical reference, material craft, and environmental integration, the project suggests that density and nature need not exist in opposition. It offers instead a model where urban living and ecological consciousness merge into a single architectural expression.

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This 1km Saudi Tower Will Be the World’s Tallest Building by August 2028

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The world’s most ambitious skyscraper project is finally picking up speed. Saudi Arabia’s JEC Tower, the supertall that’s been in the works for over a decade, has reached floor 69 on its central core. After years of delays and a construction hiatus that had people wondering if it would ever get finished, the project seems to be moving again. Architects AS+GG have reconfirmed an August 2028 completion date, which is specific enough to suggest they’re serious this time.

The tower has gone through a few name changes—it started as Kingdom Tower, became Jeddah Tower, and is now officially the JEC Tower, named after the Jeddah Economic Company. It’s rising in the Saudi port city of Jeddah under Saudi Prince Al Waleed bin Talal Al Saud, and calling it tall doesn’t quite cover it. AS+GG has confirmed the tower will exceed 1 kilometer in height, putting it well above Dubai’s Burj Khalifa. That’s nearly twice the height of One World Trade Center in New York and more than three times taller than London’s Shard. The numbers are almost absurd.

Designer: AS+GG

When it’s done, the JEC Tower will have 59 elevators serving at least 157 floors. Inside, you’ll find the world’s highest observation point, a luxury hotel, office space, and residential units designed for people who can afford to live in a building this expensive. The central core is currently leading the way up, with the flanking wings about five floors behind. Construction crews are working steadily to keep the pace going, and the building is already changing Jeddah’s skyline even in its unfinished state.

The construction numbers show real progress. Work picked back up in January after sitting idle for years, but things have accelerated noticeably in recent months. About 50% of the concrete has been poured, which matters when you’re talking about a project this size. AS+GG released photos from November showing how far they’ve come, and you don’t put out progress shots unless you’re confident about where things are headed. Narrowing the completion date down to a specific month—August 2028—suggests they’re working from actual timelines now instead of hopeful guesses.

The project’s troubled history makes the current momentum worth noting. There were legitimate questions about whether this would ever happen, so seeing it past floor 69 is significant. Pinning down August 2028 as the completion date is bold, considering that’s only four years away and they’re building something that’s never been done at this scale. The engineering challenges get harder as you go higher, particularly when you’re dealing with wind loads and structural concerns at these heights. But with half the concrete poured and construction visibly moving, it’s starting to look real.

The next year will show whether they can maintain this pace. AS+GG says major updates are coming as construction continues climbing. By this time next year, we’ll know if August 2028 is realistic or overly optimistic. The tower is already dominating the skyline in its incomplete form. Whether it finishes on schedule or takes longer, Jeddah is getting its kilometer-tall landmark one way or another. The question is just when.

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Toronto’s Pinnacle SkyTower Makes History as Canada’s First 100-Storey Building

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Toronto’s skyline has reached a defining moment as the Pinnacle SkyTower becomes Canada’s first building to achieve 100 storeys, marking a historic milestone in the country’s architectural evolution. Designed by the acclaimed Hariri Pontarini Architects, the supertall tower is rapidly approaching completion and is set to officially open in 2026. Rising dramatically from Toronto’s waterfront at the foot of Yonge Street, the building is already reshaping the city’s silhouette and establishing new standards for residential high-rise design in North America.

When complete, SkyTower will stand at an impressive 106 storeys, reaching a final architectural height of 351.85 metres or 1,155 feet. This remarkable elevation will position it as Canada’s tallest residential building and one of the country’s first supertall skyscrapers. The tower will house over 950 residential units, making it a vertical community in the heart of downtown Toronto. Its upper floors will align with the CN Tower’s main observation deck, symbolically connecting two generations of Toronto’s architectural ambition and offering residents unparalleled views of Lake Ontario and the city skyline.

Designer: Hariri Pontarini Architects

The architectural vision behind SkyTower is both elegant and innovative. Lead partner David Pontarini conceived a distinctive 12-sided profile designed to evoke the form of a jewel, creating a building that captures light and attention from every angle. The tower transitions gracefully from a retail podium into a sculpted vertical silhouette, accentuated by vertical fins that emphasize its soaring height. Expansive curved corner glazing fosters visual connectivity between interior spaces and the surrounding cityscape, while buttressed balconies extend up to the 88th floor, seamlessly connecting the tower with its podium base.

Inside, residents will enjoy approximately 80,000 square feet of luxury amenities, including a pool, yoga studio, fitness center, and entertainment spaces. The building’s crowning feature will be a restaurant on the 106th floor, offering dining experiences at the same elevation as the CN Tower’s famous observation deck. The lower 12 floors will house the 224-room Le Méridien Toronto Pinnacle Hotel, adding a hospitality component to the mixed-use development. Floor-to-ceiling windows throughout maximize natural light and spectacular views, creating living spaces that celebrate Toronto’s dramatic urban and natural landscapes.

Engineering excellence underpins the tower’s ambitious height. To counteract wind-induced vibrations at such extreme elevations, the building will be topped with a 700-tonne tuned mass damper, working in concert with the 12-sided profile to manage wind loads effectively. At street level, a continuous glass canopy wraps the podium, providing weather protection while creating an inviting, human-scaled entrance for residents and guests. These technical innovations ensure comfort and safety while maintaining the building’s sleek aesthetic vision.

SkyTower serves as the centerpiece of Pinnacle International’s ambitious Pinnacle One Yonge masterplan, a transformative multi-phase development that will ultimately include approximately 5,000 residential suites across five towers. Rising from the former Toronto Star site, the project is reshaping Toronto’s eastern waterfront and represents one of the largest mixed-use developments currently underway in the city. As construction races toward completion, SkyTower stands as a testament to Canada’s growing architectural confidence and Toronto’s emergence as a city of supertall ambition.

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Zaha Hadid Architects’ Symphony Tower Weaves Emirati Tradition into Dubai’s Skyline

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Zaha Hadid Architects has revealed designs for Symphony Tower, a 42-story residential skyscraper that brings traditional Emirati craftsmanship into conversation with contemporary architecture. Developed by Imtiaz Developments, the tower rises within Dubai’s emerging Horizon district, positioned between the Meydan Racecourse and the protected wetlands of Ras Al Khor at the historic Dubai Creek‎. The 38,000-square-meter development represents a significant addition to the city’s constantly evolving skyline, connecting modern design ambitions to the waterway on which Dubai was originally founded‎.

The building’s defining feature is an illuminated lattice exoskeleton inspired by the geometric patterns of traditional Emirati embroidery and weaving‎. This interlaced structural framework transforms age-old textile techniques into architectural form, creating a striking visual presence while serving practical functions. The woven exterior provides natural shading across the façade, reducing solar heat gain in Dubai’s intense climate‎. The design references the craftsmanship of traditional local artisanship, translating heritage techniques into a parametric, contemporary language that characterizes Zaha Hadid Architects’ distinctive approach‎.

Designer: Zaha Hadid Architects

The exoskeleton does more than shield the building from the sun. Its geometric pattern creates varied terraces and outdoor living spaces for each apartment, extending usable areas beyond the tower’s glass envelope‎. Integrated photovoltaics woven into the lattice structure illuminate the façade after sunset, casting a soft glow that makes the tower a luminous marker on the skyline‎. This inside-out approach places the structural system at the forefront of the design, making infrastructure into ornament and blurring the traditional distinction between decoration and engineering.

The project embraces modular construction techniques, a method that can accelerate building timelines while maintaining precision‎. This approach aligns with the tower’s sustainability ambitions, which include greywater recycling, low-flow fixtures, and drought-tolerant landscaping to minimize water consumption in the arid environment‎. The shading provided by the exoskeleton contributes to passive cooling strategies, reducing the energy demands of climate control systems. These environmental considerations demonstrate how the decorative lattice serves multiple performance objectives beyond its aesthetic impact.

Symphony Tower sits within a landscape of natural and cultural significance. The nearby Ras Al Khor Nature Reserve functions as a protected wildlife sanctuary, attracting migratory bird species, including the UAE’s native Rose Flamingo‎. The tower’s location at the uppermost reaches of Dubai Creek connects it to historical origins, creating a dialogue between contemporary development and the city’s founding narrative. This positioning gives the project particular resonance within Dubai’s broader urban story.

Unveiled in November 2025, the project has generated substantial attention across architectural media for its striking visual identity and cultural resonance‎. The tower continues Zaha Hadid Architects’ exploration of culturally rooted design within the Gulf region, creating a particularly legible connection between Emirati weaving heritage and architectural innovation‎. Though the completion date remains to be confirmed, Symphony Tower represents Imtiaz Developments’ ambitions for the Horizon district while promising to become a recognizable landmark, weaving traditional craftsmanship into the fabric of contemporary urban life‎.

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Kengo Kuma’s Wave-Inspired Tower Rises in Busan

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There’s something mesmerizing about watching waves crash against a harbor, the way they ripple and fold into themselves with an effortless rhythm. Japanese architect Kengo Kuma must have spent some time observing this when designing the Busan Lotte Tower, because he’s managed to bottle that exact energy and stack it into the sky.

Rising from the former City Hall site in South Korea’s bustling coastal city, this skyscraper isn’t your typical glass-and-steel rectangle reaching skyward. Instead, Kengo Kuma and Associates have created something that feels alive, like the building itself is caught in a gentle oceanic current.

Designer: Kengo Kuma and Associates

The tower’s design captures the wake patterns left by ships moving through Busan’s busy harbor. Think about those moments when you watch a boat glide through calm water, leaving behind those beautiful, undulating trails. That’s exactly what Kuma’s team translated into architecture. The facade features horizontal bands that ripple across the exterior, creating a continuous line that wraps around the entire structure.

What makes this approach so clever is how it blurs the usual architectural boundaries. The glass shifts seamlessly from transparent to gently tinted, mirroring the changing colors of Busan’s coastal sky throughout the day. It’s not trying to dominate the landscape but rather reflect and celebrate it. This is pure Kuma, who’s known for his philosophy of creating buildings that harmonize with their surroundings rather than fight against them. The structure itself is conceived as a stack of curved transparent volumes, each layer subtly offset to suggest motion. This creates an interplay of concave and convex surfaces that echo, you guessed it, more waves. It’s architecture as poetry, where form doesn’t just follow function but captures feeling.

At ground level, the experience shifts. Those curved glass volumes frame glimpses of the activity happening inside, connecting the rhythm of urban life with the broader cadence of the harbor nearby. It’s like the building is breathing with the city, offering passersby windows into the life happening within while simultaneously pulling in the energy of the port. When evening arrives, the tower transforms again. Soft interior lighting brings those horizontal lines into subtle relief, creating the impression of an illuminated current rising through the building. Imagine standing at the waterfront at dusk, watching this glowing structure that looks less like a conventional skyscraper and more like captured light moving upward through water.

The project, which began construction in August 2023 under Lotte Construction with structural engineering by Arup and CNP, is expected to complete by 2028. It’s been ongoing under Kuma’s direction, and if you’re familiar with his body of work, this fits perfectly into his architectural language. This is the same designer who gave us Tokyo’s Olympic Stadium and the Nagasaki Prefectural Art Museum, projects that similarly prioritize integration with their contexts over architectural ego.

What sets Kuma apart in contemporary architecture is his resistance to creating monuments to himself. While many starchitects chase dramatic, instantly recognizable signatures, Kuma seems more interested in creating buildings that feel inevitable in their settings, as if they grew there naturally. The Busan Lotte Tower embodies this approach perfectly. It’s bold without being brash, distinctive without being disconnected from its environment.

For a city like Busan, which lives and breathes its maritime identity, having a landmark that doesn’t just acknowledge but celebrates that connection feels right. The tower doesn’t sit on the harbor pretending to be anywhere else. Instead, it amplifies what makes Busan special, turning the patterns of ships and waves into something permanent yet fluid. This project shows us what happens when an architect truly listens to a place. The result isn’t just another tall building competing for attention in an increasingly crowded skyline. It’s a vertical landscape that captures the essence of where land meets sea, where urban energy meets ocean rhythm, where glass and steel somehow manage to feel as natural as water itself.

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Dubai’s Next Giant: Sobha SkyParks Soars 450 Meters Into The Sky

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Dubai’s getting another jaw-dropping addition to its skyline, and this one’s a real showstopper. Sobha Realty just unveiled Sobha SkyParks, a massive 109-story tower that’ll stretch 450 meters into the sky. ‌‪‬ When it’s done, this giant will rank among the UAE’s five tallest buildings—quite a feat for any developer. The project comprises 684 luxury apartments across 109 floors, each offering incredible views of the city sprawling below. ‌‪‬ For Sobha Realty, this isn’t just another project—it’s their tallest development yet, pushing them into entirely new territory in Dubai’s competitive luxury market.

The tower’s landing on Sheikh Zayed Road in Business Bay which is about as prime as real estate gets in Dubai. This stretch of road has become synonymous with luxury living, and Sobha SkyParks fits right into that narrative. ‌‪‬ Business Bay’s infrastructure is already well-established, and being so close to Downtown Dubai doesn’t hurt either. The location practically sells itself—residents get easy access to business districts, shopping, and transport links throughout the city. ‌‪‬ Sheikh Zayed Road has this way of making every building along it feel important, and Sobha SkyParks certainly won’t be an exception to that rule.

Designer: Sobha Realty

Here’s where things get interesting, though. Instead of just building another tall glass tower, Sobha’s doing something different with four themed sky gardens scattered throughout the building’s height. ‌‪‬ Think about it—actual parks floating hundreds of meters above the street. It’s not just a cool concept; it tackles that age-old problem of urban living where green space feels like a luxury. These aren’t tiny balcony gardens either; we’re talking about proper outdoor spaces that bring nature up to where people actually live. The whole multilevel garden approach is getting attention from architecture circles as a fresh take on sustainable urban development. ‌‪‬

The building’s crown jewel has to be the sky-high infinity pool. Picture swimming laps while looking out over all of Dubai—it’s the kind of amenity that sounds almost too good to be true. ‌‪‬ Francis Alfred from Sobha Realty puts it well, saying they’re trying to “blend art, engineering, and lifestyle into a single masterpiece.” ‌‪‬ That’s not just marketing speak, either. When you combine the elevated parks with amenities like that infinity pool, you’re looking at something that goes way beyond typical luxury housing. It’s more like they’re building a vertical neighborhood where everything you need is stacked up instead of spread out.

The real estate crowd is already buzzing about what this could mean for Dubai’s market. ‌‪‬ Sobha’s built a solid reputation over the years, so when they go big like this, people pay attention. The project’s been making rounds on social media and industry forums, with everyone from investors to architecture enthusiasts weighing in on what it means for the city’s future. ‌‪‬ Dubai keeps attracting international buyers looking for something special, and Sobha SkyParks seems designed exactly for that market. It’s not just about having a nice apartment anymore—people want experiences, views, and bragging rights that come with living somewhere truly unique.

Construction’s underway, and this project represents something bigger for Sobha Realty. ‌‪‬ They’re clearly making a statement about where they want to position themselves in Dubai’s ultra-luxury segment. By the time this tower’s finished, it won’t just be another address—it’ll be a landmark that changes how people think about living vertically in one of the world’s most ambitious cities. Dubai’s always been about pushing boundaries, and Sobha SkyParks fits perfectly into that story. The combination of record-breaking height, innovative design, and those sky-high amenities should set new expectations for what luxury living can look like when you’re willing to think outside the box.

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Rotterdam Strikes A High Note As Construction Begins On MVRDV’s Saxophone-Inspired Towers

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Construction has officially commenced on one of Rotterdam’s most anticipated architectural projects: The Sax, a striking saxophone-inspired residential development that promises to transform the city’s waterfront skyline. Designed by Dutch architecture firm MVRDV, the project represents a bold fusion of musical metaphor and urban densification, bringing 916 apartments to Rotterdam’s prestigious Wilhelminapier district .

Designer: MVRDV

A Symphony in Steel and Glass

The Sax consists of two interconnected towers that truly live up to their musical namesake. The taller “Havana” tower soars 180 meters across 55 stories, while its companion “Philadelphia” reaches 82 meters with 26 floors. The towers are dramatically connected by a golden skybridge spanning six stories, creating what MVRDV describes as a “saxophone-like silhouette” that will serve as a beacon on Rotterdam’s evolving waterfront.

The building’s facade features a sophisticated pattern of bow windows and undulating balconies that become progressively more pronounced toward the top, creating dynamic light patterns that change throughout the day. As MVRDV founding partner Jacob van Rijs explains, “The varying angles will allow the light to fall differently on the metal facade, so the building will change colour with the time of day”.

Addressing Urban Housing Demands

Beyond its striking aesthetic, The Sax tackles Rotterdam’s pressing housing shortage through strategic densification. With 916 residential units, the project will make the Wilhelminapier “the most densely built-up area in the Netherlands,” according to van Rijs. Crucially, the development prioritizes affordability, with exactly half of its apartments—458 units—designated as affordable rental housing for middle-income Rotterdam residents.

The project exemplifies vertical community living, featuring shared amenities that encourage resident interaction. The golden skybridge houses communal spaces and a rooftop terrace where residents can gather, while the building’s base accommodates nearly 2,000 bicycle parking spaces, reflecting Dutch transportation culture.

Completing an Architectural Constellation

The Sax represents the final piece in the Wilhelminapier’s collection of iconic buildings, joining works by renowned architects including Álvaro Siza, Renzo Piano, Norman Foster, and Mecanoo. This architectural ensemble has established the pier as one of Europe’s most prestigious waterfront developments, and The Sax promises to serve as its crowning achievement. Developed by BPD and Synchroon in partnership with the City of Rotterdam, the project has been in development since MVRDV won the international architectural competition in 2017. The design process involved extensive collaboration with engineering firm ARUP to realize the complex structural requirements of the interconnected towers.

With preliminary construction work now underway, The Sax is expected to reach completion by 2030. Upon completion, it will offer not only residential spaces but also ground-floor retail, restaurants, sports facilities, and an automated underground parking garage, creating a truly mixed-use vertical neighborhood. The project stands as a testament to MVRDV’s innovative approach to high-density living, proving that densification need not sacrifice architectural ambition or community amenities. As Rotterdam continues its remarkable post-war urban transformation, The Sax promises to strike a high note in the city’s evolving symphony of modern architecture.

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This 1,388-Foot Tower Is NYC’s First Net-Zero Supertall Skyscraper

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As Midtown Manhattan continues to evolve, 270 Park Avenue rises as a new titan of the New York skyline—a 1,388-foot, 60-story headquarters for JPMorgan Chase designed by Foster + Partners. Not just another addition to the city’s collection of supertalls, 270 Park Avenue redefines what a modern workplace can be, setting new benchmarks for sustainability, urban connectivity, and architectural innovation.

Located on the site of the former Union Carbide Building, the tower’s completion in 2025 marks a significant milestone. The previous SOM-designed structure, once a hallmark of midcentury modernism, was demolished to make way for a building capable of hosting 10,000 JPMorgan Chase employees and meeting the demands of a flexible, future-oriented workforce. What stands in its place is more than just a corporate headquarters; it is a city within a city, conceived to foster collaboration, wellness, and environmental responsibility.

Designer: Foster + Partners

Striking Architecture and Urban Connectivity

At first glance, 270 Park Avenue is instantly recognizable by its dramatic, stepped silhouette and bronze diagrid crown. The architects at Foster + Partners engineered the tower to be visually striking yet structurally daring: the main building mass is elevated nearly 80 feet above street level, supported by colossal fan-shaped columns that give the base a sense of lightness and openness. This not only creates a grand, welcoming entrance but also expands the public realm.

The project delivers 2.5 times more outdoor space at ground level than its predecessor, with a landscaped public plaza, widened sidewalks, and green terraces that encourage community interaction.

Interior Innovation for Human Wellbeing

Inside, the building is designed for adaptability. Large, open floorplates and a split elevator core maximize permeability and flexibility, while extensive use of glass floods the interior with daylight. Gensler, responsible for over 1.7 million square feet of interior space, has created environments focused on human wellbeing, with amenities like gyms, client centers, and communal terraces. Circadian lighting, advanced air filtration, and terrace gardens further support employee health and productivity.

Sustainability as a Defining Principle

Sustainability is a defining feature of 270 Park Avenue. As New York’s largest all-electric tower, it is powered entirely by renewable energy and is designed to achieve net-zero operational emissions. The building targets LEED Platinum and WELL Health-Safety certifications, with 97% of demolition materials from the old structure recycled or upcycled.

Triple-pane glazing, hydro-powered energy systems, and low-emission materials are all part of an integrated strategy to minimize environmental impact. Air ventilation rates are twice the city code, directly responding to research linking air quality to cognitive function, making the tower not just green but genuinely health-centric.

A Blueprint for Future Skyscrapers

The project is a collaboration between Foster + Partners, structural engineers Severud Associates, and Tishman Construction. Its completion signals an ambitious new chapter for both JPMorgan Chase and the city itself. 270 Park Avenue is not only a workplace for thousands; it’s a bold statement about the possibilities of skyscraper architecture in the 21st century, where technology, sustainability, and human experience are inextricably linked. In a city renowned for its architectural icons, 270 Park Avenue stands out—not just for its height, but for its vision of a healthier, more connected, and more sustainable urban future.

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Massive Climate-Resilient Tower On An Artificial Dune Can Handle A Once-In-A-Thousand-Year Storm

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This extraordinary structure is known as the Silt. It is designed to be a massive boulder gently rising out of an artificial sand dune. It is designed by ZJA and is inspired by the Belgian coastal landscape. The impressive structure can withstand a harsh beating from nature and can tackle rising seas and extreme storms as well. The structure was first revealed in 2020 and draws inspiration from the Testerep – an island that was located close to the coast of Middelkerke, Belgium in the Middle Ages. As time passed, this island became connected to the mainland through embankments and sea defenses.

Designer: ZJA

The Silt Tower was designed as an initiative to improve and elevate the local defenses from the North Sea in Middlkerk, and its unusual aesthetics have some utility as well. The artificial dune base expands a public square, which provides stunning views of the coastline. The dune-like building accommodates a casino, restaurant, and event space, while the tower hosts hotel rooms.

“The essence of the design lies in the integration of all the significant aspects, from the experience of the public to coastal reinforcement and economic impetus,” said ZJA. “With the once bleak Epernay Square as its center, the sea embankment and coastal defenses are now fused together, and an extensive new experiential landscape has arisen. Underground parking ensures that is a car-free zone, giving full scope to the public space above. The ground level is thus dedicated as a public space. Marram grass, the dune basin, and sand channels leading to the beach give back to Middelkerke the characteristic landscape it holds dear. The climb to the top of the new dune offers breathtaking views and becomes a tourist attraction in its own right,” concluded ZJA.

Essentially, the Silt includes a chunky concrete base with an attractive boulder-like section which includes a glass and concrete tower covered with latticed beams of Accoya engineered wood. The tower section also contains integrated lighting, which allows it to glow like a lovely beacon in the night. It features a massive sea wall and sturdy construction which allows it to deal well with the extreme climatic conditions of the region, including a once-in-a-thousand-year storm.

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