Over the centuries, mankind has invented many ways to observe and admire the world around us, including buildings from different eras and for different purposes, whose windows and observation decks offer impressive and unique views of cityscapes, mountain peaks and horizons of endless oceans. Typically, view properties are distinguished by their high-rise architecture and location and, all other things being equal, are valued higher according to Buildworld's generally accepted methodology. This blog provides an overview of a number of such properties around the world.
Burj Khalifa, Dubai
Burj Khalifa is not only a unique skyscraper and man-made wonder of Dubai, it is currently the tallest building in the world. The author of this unique project was Chicago architect Adrian Smith - the greatest specialist in the construction of super-tall buildings. The work, which began in 2004, involved solving a number of urgent problems, including:
- Constructing a secure foundation in completely unsuitable sandy soil. This required the installation of 192 piles, each 43 metres long and 1.5 metres in diameter;
- Ensuring wind resistance, which meant putting the building's mock-up through a wind tunnel more than 40 times. In the end, nature itself provided the solution: the architect copied the shape of the skyscraper's base from the local spider lily flower;
- Construction at such extreme heights required more than 12,000 workers, and a special type of concrete was created to withstand temperatures above 50°C.
The structure is made of glass and stainless steel, while the interiors feature travertine floors, Venetian plaster and Brazilian rosewood. The interiors are decorated with paintings by local and international artists, as well as handmade carpets and plates. The Burj Khalifa houses the world's first Armani Hotel, a ballroom, conference rooms, 50,000m2 of office space, restaurants and sports clubs, shopping and entertainment centres, swimming pools and tennis courts, and the world's tallest public observatory. To understand the scale of the building, here are some figures: height - 828 m, number of floors - 163, total internal area - 344 thousand m2, number of lifts - 57. The unique and perfect tower has been organically integrated into the urban environment and has become one of the symbols of the Emirates. It offers breathtaking views not only of the city, but also of the country and the Persian Gulf. Skydiver and stuntwoman Nicole Smith-Ludwick, who promoted Emirates Airline from the top of the skyscraper, said it was the most awe-inspiring and exciting experience of her life. The Burj Khalifa has been the backdrop for famous films such as 'Fast and Furious 7' and 'Mission Impossible'.
Eiffel Tower, Paris
The Eiffel Tower is a symbol of Paris and France, and the most popular tourist attraction in the world. Visits to its observation decks, which offer breathtaking views of the city, leave a lasting impression on millions. A turning point in the Tower's history was the 1889 Universal Exhibition held in the City of Love. On the eve of the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution, a competition was held to build a tower of 300 metres or more on the Champ de Mars. The winner was French civil engineer Gustave Eiffel. He created a light, airy and strong structure that was revolutionary in civil engineering and architectural design at the time. The structure of the tower is a tapered connection of wrought iron lattice girders. The 4 arches at the base are purely decorative.
At the end of the project, it was decided that the building permit would be valid for the next 20 years, after which the tower would have to be demolished. The incredible success of the exhibition (more than two million visitors) and Eiffel's own considerable efforts in the field of astronomy and radio engineering saved the unique building from demolition. As a result, it was used for radio-telegraphic communications and its height was increased by 20 metres to 330 metres. Today it houses a museum, several fine restaurants and Gustave Eiffel's own reception room, where business conferences and cultural events are held. Around 7 million tourists visit the Eiffel Tower every year. It has repeatedly hosted the Olympic torch relay during the Games, including this year in the French capital. The Tower's history is an inseparable part of the country's history and national heritage.
Marina Bay Sands 5*, Singapore
Marina Bay Sands is one of the most recognisable and luxurious hotels in the global tourism industry. Designed by renowned architect Moshe Safdie, the ambitious resort complex has been rising from the waters of Marina Bay since 2010. The bold design of the hotel has captured the imagination of even the most discerning professional: the roofs of three 55-storey skyscrapers are connected by a cantilevered platform resembling a giant flat-bottomed boat. Here, at a height of more than 200 metres, there is a landscaped sky park and a unique 150-metre swimming pool. From this height, the hotel offers luxurious views of Singapore's thriving skyline and the watery waters of the bay, where many merchant ships are always on the roadstead. The hotel offers its guests luxurious leisure and recreational facilities, including
- 2,560 rooms, including 70 luxury Grand Club suites;
- The Shoppes shopping centre;
- Theatres and entertainment venues;
- A 4-storey 150,000 m2 casino;
- Exhibition and conference facilities.
Since its opening, Marina Bay Sands has become an iconic landmark in Singapore and a model of 5-star hospitality.
Marina Bay Sands Singapore on the map
ONE Tower, Limassol
ONE Tower is a 38-storey building that has become one of the symbols of the business capital of Cyprus. The main objective of the project is to position the country on the world market of elite real estate and to increase its attractiveness to foreign investors. With a height of 170 metres, ONE Tower will be the tallest building on the entire Mediterranean coast. The developer involved specialists who were involved in the construction of the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa. During the design phase, the architects were inspired by the graceful lines of sailing yachts, which served as the basis for its streamlined shape. As a result, ONE Tower is not only an example of engineering and design, but also a place from which to enjoy breathtaking sea and city views. The Cypriot skyscraper houses 83 luxury residences, including a 3-storey penthouse with a private swimming pool.
Spacious, light-filled rooms with panoramic windows and warm, muted interior colours create an atmosphere of tranquillity, comfort and cosiness. Marble, natural wood and stainless steel have been used extensively in the finishes. The building consumes a minimum of resources, as special attention was paid to environmental friendliness and energy efficiency during construction. Investors have access to spa and fitness centres, a large swimming pool, a panoramic bar and a 24-hour personal concierge service. The complex has repeatedly won prestigious awards, including 'Best Residential High-Rise Project in Europe' and 'Best Residential Development in Cyprus'. The coastal city of Limassol has evolved in recent years into a diverse European city, full of opportunities for work and leisure.
Available properties for sale and rent in ONE Tower development
Lakhta Centre, St Petersburg
Located in the west of St. Petersburg, the Lakhta Centre is a futuristic and symbolic office and business centre for the modern city. The ensemble includes a 462-metre tower, currently the tallest building in Russia and Europe, and the northernmost skyscraper in the world. The architectural concept was developed by the team of Scottish architect Tony Kettle, who made the optimal decision to support the foundations on piles due to the difficult soil and proximity to water. The 87-storey building, which houses the continent's tallest restaurant on floors 75-76, has been tested by powerful water pressures and constant air currents. The ultra-tall skyscraper is called the Gazprom Tower: it houses the main city offices of the company that was the client and user of the complex. The windows offer beautiful views of the Gulf of Finland, and Russia's cultural capital is in the palm of your hand. In addition to offices, the complex includes a concert hall, a science and education centre, a spherical planetarium, exhibition halls, cafes, a sports complex, a medical centre and an open-air amphitheatre overlooking the sea.
This infrastructure does not allow the centre to "die" after 6 p.m. and at weekends, since the public spaces occupy more than a third of the total area of the complex (570,000 m2). On the 88th floor there is a monument "Guardian Angel of St. Petersburg", which is an exact copy of the sculpture from the Alexander Column in the Palace Square. At the top of the building there is an automatic weather station for the needs of the city. Lakhta Centre was the first Russian skyscraper to win multiple international awards in the field of high-rise architecture. It has a LEED Platinum environmental certification and serves as a visual landmark for naval ships and incoming aircraft: some 17,000 lights are installed inside the tower. On New Year's Eve, the skyscraper is illuminated with festive lights, making it the tallest Christmas tree in Europe.
Empire State Building, New York
The Empire State Building is a 102-storey office skyscraper and one of the symbols of the USA, located in the business districts of Manhattan Island. The 443-metre-tall (with spire) Art Deco building was built in 1931 on the site of the former Waldorf-Astoria Hotel and remained the tallest building in the world for almost 40 years. It should be noted that the spire was designed for the mooring of airships, while the observation deck on the 102nd floor was used for embarking and disembarking passengers. The tower, designed by chief architect William F. Limb, takes its name from the colloquial term for the Empire State of New York. Steel, aluminium, granite and coquina were used in its construction, and the three-storey lobby was decorated with images of the Seven Wonders of the World. In 1964, a floodlight system was installed on the tower to illuminate the top of the tower in a range of colours to match any commemoration or holiday. The windows and observation decks offer magnificent views of one of the world's greatest metropolises and the Hudson River. Beloved by all Americans, the Empire State Building is one of New York's and America's most recognisable skyscrapers and has an eventful history:
- It was officially opened by US President Herbert Hoover;
- It became famous in 1933 during the filming of the movie 'King Kong';
- At the end of the Second World War, a B-25 bomber crashed into the building due to fog, killing 14 people and severing all the elevator cables;
- In 1951, a lightning rod was installed on the tower to help scientists study lightning and wave phenomena;
- after the filming of the movie 'An Affair to Remember', the observation deck of the skyscraper became one of the most popular places for Americans to propose marriage;
- In 1977, it hosted the world's first speed race, in which runners had to climb 86 flights of stairs.
The Empire State Building is included in the list of the National Historic Landmarks of the USA and in the list of the best American architectural achievements.
Empire State Building on the map
International Trade Centre, Hong Kong
The 108-storey International Commerce Centre is located in the west of the Kowloon district in the central part of Hong Kong. Designed by American architects Kohn Pedersen Fox in collaboration with Chinese architects Wong & Ouyang, it opened in 2010. In keeping with the spirit of the times, the building is constructed of steel, concrete and high-strength glass. As a result, the skyscraper is the tallest building in the city at 484 metres. It should be noted that the originally planned height was reduced due to regulations that do not allow new buildings to be higher than the surrounding mountains. The centre's main tenants are representative offices of the world's leading banks and multinational companies. In addition to offices, the building houses comfortable apartments and the Ritz Carlton Hotel.
On the 100th floor is the Sky100 observation deck, which offers a circular panoramic view of Hong Kong and Victoria Harbour with its pleasure boats and ferries. The lower floors of the skyscraper house restaurants, cafes and a popular shopping mall. An evening performance at the centre has set a Guinness World Record for 'the largest light and sound show on a single building'. It covers an area of more than 50,000 m2. For all tourists visiting this region of China, the International Commerce Centre is included as a local attraction.
International Commerce Centre (ICC) on the map
The Shard, London
The multifunctional office centre The Shard was built in 2012. The project of the tallest building in Great Britain (310 m), sponsored by the government of Qatar, was designed by the Italian architect Renzo Piano, the author of the famous Centre Pompidou in Paris. The main condition imposed by the representatives of the Arab state was a ban on anything to do with alcohol or gambling. At first, the construction of the skyscraper provoked a negative reaction from the citizens, who feared a radical change in the image of their beloved capital. However, the developers managed to convince the public that this extraordinary project would do far more good than harm. On completion, some architectural commentators have remarked that the Shard resembles the masts of ships on the quayside or the spire of a Catholic cathedral.
The steel frame of the building weighs around 12,000 tonnes and the facade is covered in 11,000 translucent panels. It is both double-skinned and ventilated, which contributes to internal comfort. The 72-storey skyscraper is shaped like a glass pyramid and contains offices, apartments, expensive restaurants and a luxury hotel. The author himself called his architectural creation a 'vertical city'. To support this claim, the building has 44 lifts and 8 escalators. On the top floor is the highest gallery and observation deck in the country. This level offers colourful views of majestic London, and the skyscraper's silhouette is one of the city's most recognisable landmarks. For added effect, the building is fitted with multi-coloured lasers that highlight other iconic landmarks in the capital at night.
Petronas Towers, Kuala Lumpur
The Petronas Towers have become a world-famous symbol of Malaysia and were the tallest building in the world at the beginning of this millennium. Each of the 88-storey skyscrapers has a floor area of more than 40,000 m2. The project, designed by the American-Argentinean architect Cesar Pelli, takes its name from the national oil company Petronas, which has its headquarters in one of the towers. Construction of the Petronas Towers began after a long cycle of testing and modelling of wind and seismic loads. Wind tunnels and special presses were used. Each tower's cross-section resembles an eight-pointed star, which in Islamic cultures represents unity, harmony and stability. Stability required a 30-metre excavation, where the largest concrete pour in the country's history took place. On the 41st and 42nd floors, the towers are connected by a 'sky bridge' for rigidity and communication, and on the 86th floor there is a viewing platform. Unique views of the city of contrasts - Kuala Lumpur - will be open to the public.
The building's facade is made of glass and stainless steel, while the interior is decorated with national patterns and the colour of Malaysia. The ground and basement floors house the Petronas Concert Hall and the Philharmonic Hall, home to the National Symphony Orchestra. There are also luxury designer shops and restaurants. The buildings are surrounded by green spaces that provide relaxation and tranquillity for all. The bold design and architecture of the towers emphasise Malaysia's desire for progress and prosperity. According to residents of the capital, it was the Petronas Towers that 'moved' the country into the XXI century. The building has been the setting for many films, the most famous being Trapped, starring Sir Sean Connery and Catherine Zeta-Jones, which was filmed in the year of its official opening.
Petronas Twin Towers on the map
Fisherman's Bastion, Budapest
The Fisherman's Bastion is one of Budapest's picture postcard sights, offering stunning views of the Hungarian capital and the Danube River flowing through it. The fortress was built between 1895 and 1902 in the neo-Romanesque style designed by the architect Frides Schulek on the site of the destroyed walls of the Buda Fortress. The latter had been destroyed by Austrian troops during the war with the Turks. One of Šulek's greatest merits is that he transformed a part of the Castle Hill, originally used for military purposes, into a peaceful promenade and viewing platform. The main facade of the bastion, facing the river, is 140 metres long and varies in width from 40 to 65 metres. The stone towers with pointed tops symbolise the victories over the Hungarian invaders.
The name of the place comes from the fact that in the Middle Ages the walls of the fortress were guarded by a guild of fishermen who not only caught and sold fish. During the Second World War, the bastion was badly damaged, but in peacetime it was included in the list of objects to be restored. There are several sculptures of the country's founders and canonised heroes. For most people in the country, it is an ideal place to go on a date, and the Fisherman's Bastion ranks alongside the Hungarian Parliament and the Opera House in terms of popularity among tourists. It was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1987.
Fisherman's Bastion on the map
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