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Photos Reveal Zaha Hadid Architects' Completed Mercury Tower In MaltaPhotographs shared exclusively with Dezeen show the twisting facade of Malta's tallest building, recently completed by British studio Zaha Hadid Architects.
At 31 storeys and 122 metres in height, Mercury Tower has been the Mediterranean island's tallest building since topping out in 2020.
Reportedly among the last designs signed off by studio founder Zaha Hadid before her sudden death in 2016, the tower's defining feature is a dramatic twist between its 10th and 12th floors.
According to the studio, the 12-degree reangling allows the building to connect more effectively with the streetscape while affording better views to the upper storeys.
It has been captured in new photos shared with Dezeen by Malta-based architect and photographer Susannah Farrugia.
Mercury Tower is located in Paceville, the main nightlife district of St Julian's, a town home to around 14,000 people on Malta's eastern coast that has experienced rapid development in recent years.
Commissioned by Maltese real estate developer J Portelli Projects, the initial construction phase was completed in November 2023 and the building fully opened earlier this year.
In addition to the tower, the project saw Zaha Hadid Architects renovate Mercury House ā a structure built to accommodate the country's telecoms infrastructure in 1903. Having lain derelict for 20 years, it now forms part of the tower's base.
The overall complex contains apartments, a hotel with an outdoor pool, retail spaces and a piazza.
A penthouse apartment at the top of Mercury Tower went on sale earlier this year for ā¬22 million.
In March, local media reported that neighbouring residents were complaining about stormwater from Mercury Tower pouring into a nearby street, with infrastructure works required to rectify the issue.
Mercury Tower received planning permission in January 2018. Zaha Hadid Architects had previously proposed building a 40-storey skyscraper on the site.
Other towers designed by Zaha Hadid Architects close to completion include the Central Bank of Iraq and The Henderson office building in Hong Kong.
The photography is by Susannah Farrugia.skyscraper
Oct 30, 2024
Dezeen Skyscraper
Porsche Reveals Plans For First Residential Tower In AsiaGerman car brandĀ Porsche has unveiled the design for its third residential high-rise building, Porsche Design Tower Bangkok, which it describes as an "architectural masterpiece".
The brand's luxury goods company, Porsche Design, worked with real estate company Ananda Development on the luxury apartment block in Thailand's capital city.
Once complete, the 95-metre-tall building will be Porsche's third residential development, following towers in Miami, USA, and in Stuttgart, Germany.
"This unique, exclusive architectural masterpiece fits perfectly into our approach to broaden the appeal to our most discerning customers by offering them exclusive experiences in all areas of life," said Porsche's deputy chairman of the executive board, Lutz Meschke.
"The Porsche Design Tower Bangkok is the next big thing for Porsche in southeast Asia," he continued.
"The region is becoming increasingly important for us, which is highlighted by major events taking place here these days."
The 21-storey Porsche Design Tower Bangkok will contain 22 luxury duplex and quadplex apartments built atop an exposed pedestal structure.
Crowned with lighting informed by Porsche sportscars, the building will contain a spiral access ramp at the centre that leads to communal garages.
Described by Porsche as "passion spaces", the garages were designed as places for residents to store their car collections and socialise with neighbours.
"Situated in the heart of the city, this private garage not only serves as a refined venue for social gatherings and exclusive events but also transforms into a versatile backdrop for indulging in various pursuits," said the brand.
Terrace doors in the apartments will fold and hinge open from the top, informed by the retractable roof of the Porsche 911 car.
"Inspired by the 'kinetic move' of the Porsche 911 Targa roof mechanism and its hybrid usability, the facade features a sophisticated, fully automated terrace door system allowing future residents a seamless blend of outdoor and indoor living," said Porsche.
Porsche Design Tower Bangkok will also contain a 25-metre swimming pool, fitness centre, spa, and social and business lounges.
Construction on the building is due to start at the beginning of 2025, with completion expected for the end of 2028.
The tower is the latest in a series of residential buildings created by car companies. Earlier this year, Aston Martin completed its first skyscraper in Miami, complete with a cantilevered pool deck.
In 2023,Ā Bugatti revealed plans for a sinuous skyscraper in DubaiĀ and Bentley unveiled its design for a skyscraper with a car lift in Miami Beach, which both featured in Dezeen's roundup of residential projects designed by luxury car brands.
Following this growing phenomenon, Dezeen features editor Nat Barker reported on some of the motivations behind car makers branching into real estate.
The images are courtesy of Porsche.skyscraper
Sep 02, 2024