flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

High-rise 'slum' in Venezuela to be shuttered

High-rise 'slum' in Venezuela to be shuttered

The tower, called Torre David, is 45 stories of incomplete concrete, glass and steel.


By BD+C Staff | July 24, 2014

For more than 4,400 squatters in Caracas, Venezuela, the time has come to move on. An unfinished skyscraper that has stood in the city for over a decade has become home to not only people, but shops, basketball courts and prayer meetings.

Authorities have decided to move the squatters out, allegedly to investigate the structural soundness of the tower, which is the country's third-tallest skyscraper, the Miami Herald reports. 

The tower, called Torre David, is 45 stories of incomplete concrete, glass and steel. Construction began on the building in 1990, but screeched to a halt when financial crisis struck Venezuela in 1994. The building was about 60 percent complete at the time, and construction never resumed. 

Over time, it became a vertical city for squatters. The community really kicked off in 2007, when an evangelical minister led the occupation of the building.

There are rumors that the tower is being cleared because Chinese developers bought the site, but the government says they are unfounded.

Related Stories

High-rise Construction | Aug 11, 2015

Calatrava's Turning Torso wins CTBUH's 10 Year Award

The 623-foot, 57-story tower was the world's first twisting skyscraper. Completed in 2005, the building, designed by Santiago Calatrava, rotates 90 degrees along its height. 

High-rise Construction | Aug 7, 2015

Tribute tower to cricket world champs will be Sri Lanka’s tallest

The 1996 Iconic Tower will be a tribute to the country’s cricket team, which won the World Cup in 1996.

Vertical Transportation | Aug 5, 2015

ThyssenKrupp’s maglev elevator test tower almost ready

The 761-foot concrete tower will enable the manufacturer to test its maglev elevator prototypes. The new elevators will be moved by magnets, allowing for vertical and horizontal movement of multiple cars in one shaft.

High-rise Construction | Aug 4, 2015

Construction of Vietnam’s tallest building commences in Ho Chi Minh City

A 1,509-foot skyscraper broke ground on the banks of the Saigon River in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

High-rise Construction | Jul 29, 2015

Jerusalem to get a high-rise pyramid by Daniel Libeskind

Are pyramids making a comeback? The city of Paris recently approved a triangle-shaped building that stirred controversy from residents. Now, the city of Jerusalem gave Libeskind's pyramid tower the go-ahead.

High-rise Construction | Jul 28, 2015

Work begins on KPF's 'flared silhouette' tower in Manhattan

The 62-story, 157-unit luxury condo tower widens at the 40th floor, resulting in a gently flared silhouette, accented by a sculpted crown.

Codes and Standards | Jul 27, 2015

New York City changing zoning rules to reduce shadows cast by high rises

For decades, the New York City’s zoning rules have made it hard to construct high-rise buildings that seem airy and minimize the shadows they cast. The city planning department is now working to change that.

High-rise Construction | Jul 20, 2015

Morphosis' Casablanca Finance City tower to be topped with crown-shaped pinnacle

The tower will anchor a new business district being planned, similar to the glass and concrete business La Défense section at the outskirts of Paris.

High-rise Construction | Jul 15, 2015

Pelli Clarke Pelli's Wolf Point tower would be Chicago's fifth-tallest

Updated renderings from César Pelli's firm show a taller, slimmer design, possibly exceeding 1,000 feet.

High-rise Construction | Jul 15, 2015

Landmark status could delay Hancock Center renovations

Chicago officials have started to marshal documents to protect the tower against planned architectural changes.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category




Curtain Wall

7 steps to investigating curtain wall leaks

It is common for significant curtain wall leakage to involve multiple variables. Therefore, a comprehensive multi-faceted investigation is required to determine the origin of leakage, according to building enclosure consultants Richard Aeck and John A. Rudisill with Rimkus. 

halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021