Lotte World Tower
On 4 April 2017, the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) officially acknowledged the newly-completed Lotte World Tower as the fifth tallest building in the world.
Located in Seoul, South Korea, the sleek, tapered supertall tower measures 554.5 m (1,819 ft), pushing Kuala Lumpur’s Petronas Twin Towers (at 452 m) out of the Top 10 list for the first time since they were completed in 1998.
Built with the 10-storey Lotte World Mall at its base, which opened in 2014, the tower is a slender cone with gently-curved convex sides. The architects Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates used pale-coloured glass for the exterior, drawing inspiration from Korean ceramics, porcelain and calligraphy.
Originally granted permission to start construction in November 2010, work actually began in March 2011.
The 123-storey tower contains a variety of functions, including retail, offices, luxury hotel, concert hall with 2,000 seating capacity, aquarium, and cinema. It also boasts the world’s highest glass-bottomed observation deck, which visitors can walk across at 500 m (1,640 ft) above ground.
The roof structure is 120 m-high and is constructed using 12 m-high steel counterparts, each weighing 20 tons. It is resistant to earthquakes of up to 9 on the Richter scale, and wind speeds of up to 80 m/s.
Other notable features include the world’s highest swimming pool in a building, on the 85th floor, and the world’s fastest elevator, capable of taking people to the top in just 60 seconds.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Key points for construction at a glance with industry reactions.
Functionality, visibility and sustainability
The simpler approach to specification.
Architects, architecture, buildings, and inspiration in film
The close ties between makers and the movies, with our long list of suggested viewing.
SELECT three-point plan for action issued to MSPs
Call for Scottish regulation, green skills and recognition of electrotechnical industry as part of a manifesto for Scottish Parliamentary elections.
UCEM becomes the University of the Built Environment
Major milestone in its 106-year history, follows recent merger with London School of Architecture (LSE).
Professional practical experience for Architects in training
The long process to transform the nature of education and professional practical experience in the Architecture profession following recent reports.
A people-first approach to retrofit
Moving away from the destructive paradigm of fabric-first.
International Electrician Day, 10 June 2025
Celebrating the role of electrical engineers from André-Marie Amperè, today and for the future.
New guide for clients launched at Houses of Parliament
'There has never been a more important time for clients to step up and ...ask the right questions'
The impact of recycled slate tiles
Innovation across the decades.
EPC changes for existing buildings
Changes and their context as the new RdSAP methodology comes into use from 15 June.
Skills England publishes Sector skills needs assessments
Priority areas relating to the built environment highlighted and described in brief.
BSRIA HVAC Market Watch - May 2025 Edition
Heat Pump Market Outlook: Policy, Performance & Refrigerant Trends for 2025–2028.
Committing to EDI in construction with CIOB
Built Environment professional bodies deepen commitment to EDI with two new signatories: CIAT and CICES.
Government Grenfell progress report at a glance
Line by line recomendation overview, with links to more details.
An engaging and lively review of his professional life.
Sustainable heating for listed buildings
A problem that needs to be approached intelligently.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson apprentice award
Deadline for entries has been extended to Friday 27 June, so don't miss out!
CIAT at the London Festival of Architecture
Designing for Everyone: Breaking Barriers in Inclusive Architecture.
Mixed reactions to apprenticeship and skills reform 2025
A 'welcome shift' for some and a 'backwards step' for others.