Not long after the world’s fourth tallest tower in the world became official, Lotte World Tower in Seoul, South Korea has officially opened to become the world’s fifth tallest tower.
The tower, which comprises office space, residential units, and a seven-star hotel, rises 123 stories to a height of 1,819 feet. In addition to being the fifth tallest building in the world, Lotte World Tower also boasts a few other significant titles related to its height.
At a height of 1,640 feet, Lotte World Tower’s glass-bottomed observation deck is the highest in the world. Located on the 118th floor, the observation deck allows visitors to look straight down at a busy intersection located a half a kilometer below their feet.
Another height related accolade comes via the swimming pool on the 85th floor, which is recognized as the world’s highest swimming pool. Finally, the building’s elevator, which can take people from the ground floor to the top of the building in just one minute, carries the title of world’s fastest elevator.
Lotte World Tower is the tallest building in South Korea, surpassing Northeast Asia Trade Tower by over 800 feet.
The building, developed by Lotte Engineering and Construction, cost about $3.6 billion to build and was designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox. Leslie E. Robertson Associates was the structural engineer for the project.
Related Stories
High-rise Construction | Aug 14, 2015
Pei Cobb Freed designs ‘glass sail’ tower for Shenzhen
The 29-story tower won’t be the tallest in the city, but it will set itself apart from surrounding, glimmering towers with gently curved façades, resembling sails blown by the wind.
High-rise Construction | Aug 12, 2015
Construction begins for Kengo Kuma-designed twisted Rolex tower in Dallas
Japanese architect Kengo Kuma designs tower with gradually rotating floor plates for Rolex's new office in Dallas.
High-rise Construction | Aug 11, 2015
Calatrava's Turning Torso wins CTBUH's 10 Year Award
The 623-foot, 57-story tower was the world's first twisting skyscraper. Completed in 2005, the building, designed by Santiago Calatrava, rotates 90 degrees along its height.
High-rise Construction | Aug 7, 2015
Tribute tower to cricket world champs will be Sri Lanka’s tallest
The 1996 Iconic Tower will be a tribute to the country’s cricket team, which won the World Cup in 1996.
Vertical Transportation | Aug 5, 2015
ThyssenKrupp’s maglev elevator test tower almost ready
The 761-foot concrete tower will enable the manufacturer to test its maglev elevator prototypes. The new elevators will be moved by magnets, allowing for vertical and horizontal movement of multiple cars in one shaft.
High-rise Construction | Aug 4, 2015
Construction of Vietnam’s tallest building commences in Ho Chi Minh City
A 1,509-foot skyscraper broke ground on the banks of the Saigon River in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
High-rise Construction | Jul 29, 2015
Jerusalem to get a high-rise pyramid by Daniel Libeskind
Are pyramids making a comeback? The city of Paris recently approved a triangle-shaped building that stirred controversy from residents. Now, the city of Jerusalem gave Libeskind's pyramid tower the go-ahead.
High-rise Construction | Jul 28, 2015
Work begins on KPF's 'flared silhouette' tower in Manhattan
The 62-story, 157-unit luxury condo tower widens at the 40th floor, resulting in a gently flared silhouette, accented by a sculpted crown.
Codes and Standards | Jul 27, 2015
New York City changing zoning rules to reduce shadows cast by high rises
For decades, the New York City’s zoning rules have made it hard to construct high-rise buildings that seem airy and minimize the shadows they cast. The city planning department is now working to change that.
High-rise Construction | Jul 20, 2015
Morphosis' Casablanca Finance City tower to be topped with crown-shaped pinnacle
The tower will anchor a new business district being planned, similar to the glass and concrete business La Défense section at the outskirts of Paris.
