flexiblefullpage -
billboard - default
interstitial1 - interstitial
catfish1 - bottom
Currently Reading

Fifth tallest tower in the world opens in Seoul with the world’s highest glass-bottomed observation deck

High-rise Construction

Fifth tallest tower in the world opens in Seoul with the world’s highest glass-bottomed observation deck

Lotte World Tower’s glass-bottomed observation deck allows visitors to stand 1,640 feet above ground and look straight down.


By David Malone, Associate Editor | April 4, 2017

Pixabay Public Domain

Not long after the world’s fourth tallest tower in the world became official, Lotte World Tower in Seoul, South Korea has officially opened to become the world’s fifth tallest tower. 

The tower, which comprises office space, residential units, and a seven-star hotel, rises 123 stories to a height of 1,819 feet. In addition to being the fifth tallest building in the world, Lotte World Tower also boasts a few other significant titles related to its height.

At a height of 1,640 feet, Lotte World Tower’s glass-bottomed observation deck is the highest in the world. Located on the 118th floor, the observation deck allows visitors to look straight down at a busy intersection located a half a kilometer below their feet. 

Another height related accolade comes via the swimming pool on the 85th floor, which is recognized as the world’s highest swimming pool. Finally, the building’s elevator, which can take people from the ground floor to the top of the building in just one minute, carries the title of world’s fastest elevator.

Lotte World Tower is the tallest building in South Korea, surpassing Northeast Asia Trade Tower by over 800 feet.

The building, developed by Lotte Engineering and Construction, cost about $3.6 billion to build and was designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox. Leslie E. Robertson Associates was the structural engineer for the project.

Related Stories

Resiliency | Oct 5, 2016

San Francisco’s 181 Fremont will become the most earthquake-resilient building on the West Coast

The building has achieved REDi Gold Rating, resilience-based design guidelines developed by Arup that establish a new benchmark for seismic construction.

High-rise Construction | Oct 5, 2016

Plans for Hudson Yards skyscraper from Bjarke Ingels have officially been filed

The 65-story tower will be primarily office space and has an estimated development cost of $3.2 billion

Sustainability | Oct 4, 2016

One World Trade Center officially awarded LEED Gold certification

The skyscraper received the certification despite a setback caused by Hurricane Sandy.

High-rise Construction | Sep 23, 2016

A massive redevelopment in Tokyo reunites developer and architect

Mitsui Fudosan and SOM join forces to create OH-1, a mixed-use complex with a prominent public square.

High-rise Construction | Sep 12, 2016

Bangkok’s tallest tower is also one of its most unique

At 1,030 feet tall, MahaNakhon Tower’s height is only outdone by its arresting design.

Mixed-Use | Sep 9, 2016

Rolled book scroll-inspired mixed-use project from Aedas planned for Chongqing, China

With a bookstore at the heart of the development, the project looks to exemplify an ancient Chinese proverb that says “knowledge brings wealth.”

Office Buildings | Sep 8, 2016

Taipei’s Lè Architecture, designed by Aedas, is almost complete

The 18-story building is designed to resemble a moss-covered river pebble in Taipei’s Nangang District.

High-rise Construction | Sep 8, 2016

Construction on the tallest residential tower in western Europe could start early next year

China’s Greenland Group is the developer of four of the world’s 10 largest skyscrapers

High-rise Construction | Sep 8, 2016

Lendlease to build Aykon London One Tower

Damac, the Dubai-based developer of the project, selected the Australian property construction and development company to build the tower.

High-rise Construction | Sep 7, 2016

Shenzhen Kingkey Group submits re-planning package for what could become China’s tallest tower

The high-rise, H700 Shenzhen Tower, is one of a group of towers being built in Shenzhen’s Caiwuwei financial and commercial area.

boombox1 - default
boombox2 -
native1 -

More In Category




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