Often compared to #Dubai’s Burj Al Arab, #Lisbon’s Vasco da Gama tower was built for #Expo1998. Vasco da Gama was one of the greatest explorers of the discovery age and was the first to set foot in India, an event that changed the economy of Portugal at that time. Expo 1998, with its theme “The Oceans: Heritage for the future” celebrated the 500th anniversary of the discovery. The shape of the tower is inspired by explorers’ caravel ships. The panoramic restaurant is perched at the top of the central core like an observation deck atop the central mast of a ship. The curved structure represents the sail, and at the bottom of the building a four-story structure represented the bow of the ship. The location of the tower on the edge of the Tagus reinforced its sail-like appearance. Designed by Leonor Janeiro, Nicholas Jacobs and the architectural firm of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, the Vasco da Gama tower is the tallest building in Lisbon with its 145 m. high (476 ft). In 2007, the bottom structure was demolished to build a 21-story luxury hotel, contributing to the increasing popularity of the Expo district that before 1998 was still a semi-abandoned industrial area.
Posted on: Thu, 12 Dec 2013 15:00:01 +0000
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