The Burj Khalifa’s impressive record is safe (for now) but Vietnam will welcome its own tallest tower in 2017 - Vincom Landmark 81, British firm Atkins starts working on a 460-metre tower in Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon.
British architecture firm Atkins has broken ground on a 460-metre-high skyscraper in Ho Chi Minh City, which will be the tallest in Vietnam once it’s completed.  Situated right on the banks of the Saigon River, the 81-storey tower will surpass the 345-metre Landmark 72 in Hanoi thanks to developers Vingroup.
The quirky erection will comprise 25 thin sections of varying heights, with shorter elements topped with roof gardens around the edges and taller parts of the glass-clad structure located in the centre, according to a description by Dezeen.
The 241,000-square-metre development will include a hotel, serviced residential apartments and retail space â€" and a luxury shopping centre will face onto a large landscaped area at its base.
"Our challenge was to create a unique and dynamic landmark tower design to support Vingroup's vision for a high-end mixed-use development," said Atkins’ exec Bertil de Kleynen. "The tower is integrated into the public realm that addresses sustainable design challenges at various interfaces of the project."
However, it looks like the race is on. Another new tower is already being drawn up, which will eclipse Saigon’s Landmark 81. The 86-storey Empire City Tower, which could be completed by 2022, will essentially function as an observatory tower at the centre of a large retail destination, including a five-star hotel, offices and apartments.
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