24 years in the making, and the slowest hotel development in history may finally be ready to open its
doors to the public.
The Ryugyong Hotel in the North Korean
capital of Pyongyang, has become famous for being known as the ‘Hotel of
Doom’ after multiple failed attempts to complete the construction phase of the project since it all began in 1987.
It has previously been dubbed by Esquire magazine as “the worst building in the history of mankind”.
Over two decades ago the hotel was intended by the regime to become the world’s tallest skyscraper;
however in 2009 this title was surpassed by the completion of the Dubai
Rose Tower by architect Khatib and Alami which reaches over 333 metres
tall.
Despite being overshadowed by this newer
building, North Korea is intending to complete the long-awaited project
in time for the 100th anniversary of the birth of the nation’s founder,
Kim II-sung. The regime has even gone so far as to shut down the
state’s universities for 10 months in order to send its students to work
within the construction and agriculture sectors as well as in factories
in the run up to the anniversary in 2012.
This desperate bid to develop the nation
through enforcing breaks from education, is predicted to increase the
possibility of protests and demonstrations on university campuses.
Foreseeing such events, in the last few months the regime is believed to
have purchased tear gas and batons from China, to bolster its stores of
anti-riot equipment.
Construction was first halted in 1992 as
a result of the collapsed Soviet Union in 1991. The lack of funding
coming into North Korea as a fallout from the USSR’s demise coupled with
natural disasters and various economic problems grounded the project.
Despite
reaching its full architectural height in 1992 for the next 16 years
the hotel remained unfinished as an empty concrete shell of what should
have been. Three years ago it was announced by the regime that the
construction would be resumed by Egyptian construction business
corporation the Orascom Group.
Designed by Baikdoosan Architects and
Engineers, the hotel towers over 1,080 feet across 105 storeys. When it
was first halted during the 90s, the development had an estimated cost
of US $750 million. In 2009 the estimated finished construction cost
amounted to US $2 billion.
The tower consists of three wings which
rise up to a 75 degree angle with the floors positioned in rings. Five
revolving hotel restaurants, business facilities and more than 3,000
guest rooms are said to be a part of the end project.
In the run up to 2012, the regime is
looking to invite US $300 million in foreign investment to ensure
funding for a new structural system.
Whilst it may have lost its crown as the
world’s tallest building, it will still stand as the world’s 40th
tallest building once completed.
Source : http://designbuildsource.com.au/hotel-doom-completed
