Port Tower Complex

Port Tower Complex
File:Port-Tower.jpg
General information
Status	Approved
Location	Karachi, Pakistan
Height
Roof	1,947 ft (593 m)

The Port Tower is a building planned for Karachi, the financial capital of Pakistan, with the collaboration of local and foreign investors, in association with the Karachi Port Trust. When completed, the new structure will be 1,947 ft (593 m) high. The height of the tower has a special significance - it represents the independence year of Pakistan which is the year 1947.

The new tower is part of a complex which will be constructed on artificial islands in the shape of symbols found on the flag of Pakistan - a crescent and a star. It will consist of a hotel and a shopping center, as well as an extensive area to host large-scale expositions. Integrating into Karachi’s skyline, main features of the venture will include a revolving restaurant and a viewing gallery offering a panoramic view of the coastline and the city. The construction site planned for this building is located along the Clifton shoreline of the crescent-shaped island. When completed, the Port Tower will be the tallest building in the country.

The Port Tower will be developed on a 10-acre waterfront site, off the Mai Kollachi expressway called the Karachi Waterfront. It has been designed by an international team of architects, led by the world’s fourth largest architectural practice, Aedas. Consortium partners MM Pakistan and Mott MacDonald would provide engineering services and architectural support expertise.

The tower would provide world class office space with residential, conference, performance, retail, restaurant, and support facilities.

President General Pervez Musharraf is likely to perform ground-breaking of Rs 20 billion(€ 280 million) Port Tower project in June, considered to be amongst 10-tallest buildings of the world.

"Our preparations are in full swing and it is hoped that the President will perform the ground-breaking of the tower in June," an official in the ministry of ports and shipping told Business Recorder.

He said it would be a landmark project in Karachi with world class recreational facilities and the 1,400 feet high Port Tower with commercial-cum-recreational centre will rise at the skyline on the Clifton beach, he added.

The official said the main features of the venture would be a commercial complex, residential estate, recreational facilities and a viewing gallery offering a panoramic view of the coastline and the city.

The monument - believed to be amongst the 10 tallest buildings of the world - would be completed in a period of six years.

The complex would have speedy lifts for the visitors to have a bird's-eye view of the city from a revolving restaurant at its top.

The total 90-acre land required for the project would be made available through reclamation of the sea, the official said.

It is learnt that the Karachi Port Trust would contribute Rs 3.16 billion(€ 44.2 million) in the shape of 30-acre land for the tower and the Expo Centre, 30.5-acre land for low-rise residential complex, 21.5 acres for high-rise complex and 15.8 acres for shopping area and hotel.

The low-rise residential complex would comprise 75 units of 4,500 sq ft each, while the high-rise complex would have A and B categories of apartments.

The authorities believe the mega project would generate huge employment opportunities, as some 40,000 workers, along with 137 industries would remain associated with the project for six years

New Design

Negotiations with M/s EMAAR and M/s Al Nakheel is in process for this project

See also

• Economy of Pakistan
• List of tallest buildings in Pakistan
• Tallest buildings in Pakistan

External links

• UrbanPK
• Karachi Port Trust
• Emporis Buildings
• SkyscraperPage