They have wrongly been dubbed as outdated. Yet five of the most grandiose skyscraper projects on the international real estate market will be exhibited at MIPIM, to be held in Cannes from 13 to 16 March 2007. As symbols of their builder's technological and economic power, these towers are constantly growing taller and have now reached record dimensions. The current buildings to be found on MIPIM stands are innovating in terms of risk and cost control. From New York to the Middle East, by way of Europe, they demonstrate new millennium standards of performance and creativity.
New York
The Freedom Tower
The U.S. World Trade Center Association will showcase the New York Freedom Tower, the highest and most symbolic of the four buildings on the Ground Zero site that are replacing the twin towers destroyed in the 2001 attack. This Statue of Liberty meets the new security requirements introduced by anti-terrorist measures, but still holds its flame to the sky 541 metres, (1,776 feet) above the ground, the latter figure a reference to the year the United States achieved independence. In addition to its size, the architects are celebrating the memory of those who disappeared by a combination of space and light, positioning the buildings around the sites of the former towers so they will be free from any building, and bathed in sunlight every September 11 at the exact time of the attacks.
Dubai
The Americans pioneered skyscrapers from the end of the 19th century, but their height record has been broken by the United Arab Emirates which have started work on the Burj Dubai. This project will become the tallest tower in the world at between 700 and 800 metres high. The official height will be revealed at MIPIM 2007, when Mohamed Alabbar, Chairman of the investor and developer Emaar Properties, showcases its entire Downtown urban project, due to transform Dubai into an outstanding centre of attraction. The tower's architecture will optimally spread the weight of the building across the structure and the ground. Its geometry is inspired by the region's cultural influences, especially the base, which represents the petals of a desert flower.
Burj Dubai Tower
Moscow
The Fedaration Tower
In Europe, where skyscraper fever has never taken root and whose tallest building is a mere 260 metres high, the race is now on to overcome the relative scarcity of building land in large cities. At MIPIM, The Russian group Mirax will unveil its 'Federation Business Complex' in Moscow's new business district, breaking a European height record with its 448 metre Federation Tower. Chosen from forty projects submitted by the world's finest architecture practices, the structure has been designed for both high quality offices and luxury apartments, together with an international hotel, conference rooms, shops, restaurants and local services.
Warsaw
The race for both height and high quality has also extended to Poland. The tower project in Warsaw to be showcased at MIPIM by Orco, illustrates what its internationally-renowned architect Daniel Libeskind defines as "a major shift in major cities around the world, where residential buildings will emerge as the most striking designs." The Zlota 44 tower, due to become the highest building in Poland at 192 metres, is the architect's first project in his country of origin, while his prestigious work around the world is already influencing a new generation of architects and decision-makers in urban development. Daniel Libeskind is providing the city centre of the Polish capital with 251 residences of unprecedented luxury.
Zlota 44 Tower
Paris
The Tour Phare
In France, where the capital city has had to live with a 37 metre ceiling on tall buildings inside the walls of Paris, the property firm Unibail is to start building the Tour Phare in the La Défense busines
