The Gran Torre Santiago is a relatively new skyscraper in Santiago, Chile which, at 980 feet tall, is the second tallest building in Latin America. The Gran Torre Santiago is part of the Costanera Center complex, which contains two hotels, a giant shopping mall and other office space. This complex is located in the financial area of Santiago, referred to as “Sanhattan.” One of the special features of the building is the observation deck on the 61st and 62nd floors. Known as the Sky Costanera, the deck has phenomenal panoramic views of the city.
The Gran Torre Santiago is a simple, tapered structure that ends with four indented corners at the top to accentuate its slenderness. The building is a streamlined, glass tower that stands out for its height in Santiago. Although the tower is less than half the height of the Burj Khalifa, it dwarfs all of the other buildings surrounding it. In fact, the Gran Torre Santiago is even taller than some of the Andean mountains surrounding the city, so it has become a focal point for people when navigating the city. In fact, the tower casts a mile-long shadow over the city.
The tower was designed by an international team, including Ceaser Peli (an Argentinian architect), Alemparte Barreda (a Chilean architect), and by Watt International (Canadian company). One challenge for the architects was the building’s location on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region where there is high level of seismic activity. Therefore, the Gran Torre is designed with 21st-century mechanical systems, including a special outrigger system to protect it during earthquakes.
The Gran Torre is not without some controversy. It is a symbol of power and wealth in Santiago, where there is a lot of income disparity. Construction began in 2006 but had to stop during the global financial crisis in 2009. It stood incomplete for a year, reflecting the broken promises of economic prosperity. However, construction resumed and the tower was completed in 2013. For some Chileans, the tower now represents Chile’s financial recovery.