Day: Jul 19, 2013

World Tallest Twisted Tower

Construction on Cayan Tower, previously known as Infiniti Tower, started in 2006 but was delayed soon after by major flooding in the basement. The tower was set to finish in 2010 but then faced another hurdle -- the financial crisis in 2009.
Construction on Cayan Tower, previously known as Infiniti Tower, started in 2006 but was delayed soon after by major flooding in the basement. The tower was set to finish in 2010 but then faced another hurdle — the financial crisis in 2009.

The Cayan Tower in Dubai, United Arab Emirates is the tallest twisted building in the world, with a twist of 90 degrees.

The 306 metres (1,004 ft), 80 story skyscraper was known as Infinity Tower before its inauguration on June 10, 2013.

The Cayan is designed by Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM) architectural group and  developed by Cayan Real Estate Investment and Development. 

Skidmore, Owings and Merrill is also the designer of the world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa, also in Dubai.

The construction of the skyscraper began in February 2006 but it was delayed after a major flood occurred at the foundation site when the wall that held back the Dubai Marina was breached on 7 February 2007, causing sand and water to flow to the site.

Infinity Tower's Flooding on 8 February 2007. (Imre Solt)
Infinity Tower’s Flooding on 8 February 2007. (Imre Solt)
Infinity Tower's Flooding on 9 March 2007. (Imre Solt)
Infinity Tower’s Flooding on 9 March 2007. (Imre Solt)

The project resumed construction in July 2008 and was completed in 2010.

Here are more photos of the Cayan Tower.

The tower, which spirals at 90 degrees from the bottom to the top, was inaugurated on Monday June 10 with a spectacular firework display.
The tower, which spirals at 90 degrees from the bottom to the top, was inaugurated on Monday June 10 with a spectacular firework display.
The 1 billion dirham ($272 million) residential tower has 75 floors and houses 495 apartments. It stands in the Dubai Marina, a man-made harbor.
The 1 billion dirham ($272 million) residential tower has 75 floors and houses 495 apartments. It stands in the Dubai Marina, a man-made harbor.
The structure stands at 307 meters high with each floor rotated by 1.2 degrees.The structure stands at 307 meters high with each floor rotated by 1.2 degrees.
The structure stands at 307 meters high with each floor rotated by 1.2 degrees.The structure stands at 307 meters high with each floor rotated by 1.2 degrees.