tallest building

Taipei 101

Status: builtConstruction DatesBegan 1999Finished 2004Floor Count 101Basement Floors 5Floor Area 412,500 m²Elevator Count 61Building Uses- mixed use- communication- conference- library- observation- office- restaurant- retail- fitness centerStructural Types- highrise- tuned mass damper- poleArchitectural Style- pagoda styleMaterials- glass- steel
Heights Value Source / Comments
Spire 508.0 m
Roof 448.0 m Architect plans
Top floor 438.0 m Architect plans101st floor, Observation deck (inside)
Floor 91 390.6 m Architect plansObservation deck (outside)
Floor 89 382.2 m Architect plansObservation deck (inside)
Floor 86 369.6 m Architect plansClub house
Floor 12 63.0 mPodium roof (highest point)
Floor 6 37.8 mPodium main roof
Ground level 0.0 m
Sea level -1.2 m
Floor b5 -31.5 m
DescriptionTaipei 101 was opened to the public on December 31, 2004.
TAIPEI is mnemonic for Technology, Art, Innovation, People, Environment, and Identity. 101 represents the concept of striving for beyond perfection.
Taipei 101, whose pinnacle reached full height on Oct. 9, 2003, is currently the official world's tallest building in the categories of highest structurally, highest roof, and highest occupied floor. The Sears Tower in Chicago holds the fourth category of overall height.
The multi-use structure will house retail facilities on Levels 1-4; a fitness center on Levels 5-6; offices on Levels 7-84; restaurants on Levels 86-88; observation decks on Levels 89, 91, and 101; and communication facilities on Levels 92-100.
There is a station for the Taipei Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) beneath the building awaiting the eventual construction of the Hsinyi line.
On December 15, 2004, Toshiba installed the world's two fastest elevators. With top speeds of 1010 m/min, observation deck visitors can whiz from Level B1 to 89 in 39 seconds.
A 900-ton tuned mass damper is installed on the 87th floor to counter earthquakes and typhoons. It will be available for public viewing from the restaurant levels and observation deck.
HISTORY
During the week of August 10-16, it overtook the Petronas Towers in structural height, becoming the official world's tallest building. Visual confirmation was unavailable until August 22, however.
The roof-level topout ceremony was held on July 1st, 2003.
The building underwent numerous redesigns due to aviation restrictions imposed by the nearby Taipei Municipal (Sung Shan) Airport before a special variance was granted and the building was constructed to the full original intended height.
On March 31st, 2002, five construction workers were killed when a 6.8 earthquake caused two cranes to fall from the 56th floor. Construction was halted and resumed after an inspection. Several fires in the podium occured during construction as well.
The spire will contain a stairway giving access to the very top of the spire (508 meters).
Rumors indicate that some floors near the tower top may be converted to hotel rooms, but this information is unverified.