Tour Montparnasse: Difference between revisions
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Image:Eiffel.tower.cdmars.arp.jpg|Tour Montparnasse from the top level of the [[Eiffel Tower]]. The tower is the brown tower at the top of the picture |
Image:Eiffel.tower.cdmars.arp.jpg|Tour Montparnasse from the top level of the [[Eiffel Tower]]. The tower is the brown tower at the top of the picture |
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Image:Tour-Montparnasse-View.jpg|View from the [[Montparnasse Tower]] over a no access point |
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Revision as of 02:21, 19 March 2007
| Tour Maine-Montparnasse | |
|---|---|
| File:Paris.montparnasse.500pix.jpg Tour Montparnasse | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Location | Paris 15th arrondissement |
| Height | |
| Roof | 210m (689 ft) |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 59 |
| Floor area | 88,400 m² (951,500 ft²) |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | Jean Saubot, Beaudouin, Cassan, de Marien |
Tour Maine-Montparnasse (Maine-Montparnasse Tower), also commonly named Tour Montparnasse is a 210-metre (689-foot) tall office skyscraper located in Paris, France, in the area of Montparnasse. Constructed from 1969 to 1972, it is the tallest skyscraper in France. In the future, it may be surpassed in height by the superrenovated Tour AXA (225 m), and later by Tour Phare and Tour Generali (both approximately 300 metres).
Location
Built on top of the Montparnasse - Bienvenüe Paris Métro station, the 58 floors of the tower are mainly occupied by offices, while two floors are open to the public for viewing the city; the 56th floor with a restaurant, and the terrace on the top floor. On a clear day, the view covers a radius of 40 km; aircraft can be seen taking off from Orly Airport. The guard-rail can be removed in only two minutes to allow helicopters to land. At the time of construction, it was the tallest building in Europe by roof height. The construction of La Grande Arche in La Défense places the tower in a second line of perspective across Paris: see Axe historique.
Criticism
Its simple architecture, gigantic proportions and monolithic appearance have been often criticised for being out of place in Paris's urban landscape and, as a result, two years after its completion, the construction of skyscrapers in the city centre was banned.
The design of the tower predates architectural trends that placed high importance on a view of the outside, and so only offices around the perimeter of each floor have windows (more modern skyscrapers are often designed to provide a window for every office, if possible).
It is sometimes said, only half-jokingly, that the view from the top is the most beautiful in Paris, since it is the only place from which you cannot see the tower.
Climbing the tower
In 1995 French urban climber, Alain "Spiderman" Robert, using only his bare hands and feet and with no safety devices of any kind, scaled the building's exterior glass and steel wall to the top.
The asbestos problem
In 2005 studies showed that the tower contained asbestos material. Asbestos when inhaled, for instance during repairs, is a known carcinogen. As with the Jussieu Campus, the problem of removing the asbestos material from a large building used by thousands of people is acute. Projected completion times for removal are: three years if the building is emptied for the duration of the work, and ten years if the building is not emptied.
See also
Gallery
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Tour Montparnasse from the top level of the Eiffel Tower. The tower is the brown tower at the top of the picture -
View from the Montparnasse Tower over a no access point
External links
