Archinect - News

A new mass timber proposal in Zanzibar would challenge Milwaukee's Ascent tower for the world record

2022-11-01T17:52:00-04:00

A proposed new residential project in Zanzibar, Tanzania, could challenge Milwaukee's Ascent tower for the title of world’s tallest mass timber structure after being unveiled to the public on October 1.

Rising 28 stories to a height of approximately 315 feet, the Burj Zanzibar is designed by the Berlin-based practice OMT Architects and will occupy a plot in the seaside city of Unguja’s Fumba Town, a roughly one-mile-wide planned “eco-town” designed by the German engineer consortium CPS to attract tech workers and businesses to the country.

In a statement to a local newspaper, OMT’s founder, Leander Moons, said it will stand as a “new ecosystem for the future of living.” The tower will reportedly feature a total of 266 residences (7 more than Ascent’s offerings) priced between $79,000 for a studio and $950,000 for the 26th-floor penthouse. Additional amenities include private garden terraces, a podium pool, and a retail component. CPS director Sebastian Dietzold added his view that ...

Africa's tallest building completes concrete structure

2021-06-23T15:25:00-04:00

China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) celebrated the completion of the concrete structure of Iconic Tower in the Central Business District of Egypt’s New Administrative Capital last week on 17 June. Now the tallest tower in Africa, Iconic Tower’s concrete structure is 373.2m while its highest point is 385.8m, CSCEC Egypt said.

The 78-story Iconic Tower is the centerpiece in an ambitious mega-development of several planned skyscrapers in Egypt's New Administrative Capital outside of Cairo.

#WitnessHappiness The landmark tower of Egypt's new capital CBD project, the tallest building in Africa, has officially sealed the roof, becoming a new urban landmark. It covers a building area of 262,000 ㎡ and its highest point reaches 385.8 meters.#BuildTheFuture #CSCEC pic.twitter.com/AIguKBXpk3
— China State Construction (@CSCECNEWS) June 22, 2021

The race is on for Africa's new tallest building

2019-01-21T13:55:00-05:00

The foundations for what could become Africa’s tallest building, a 390 metre tall tower in Egypt's new administrative capital, will be poured within days, according to the country's prime minister. "Iconic Tower" is one of several Dubai-style mega projects being built in Egypt’s new administrative capital 45 kilometres east of Cairo. It is hoped that when completed it will stand as the tallest building in Africa [...].

The title of tallest building in Africa has not been successfully challenged since the 732-ft Carlton Centre opened in Johannesburg in 1973.

Other African nations have vowed to bring home the crown with new tall buildings proposed or underway, like the 820-ft Bank of Africa Tower in Morocco, the 900-ft Pinnacle Towers in Kenya, and this preliminary concept for the megatall Oblisco Capitale Tower in Egypt's New Administrative Capital.

Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli recently visited the site of the Dubai-style megaproject which will include the supertall Iconic Tower.