TOKYO SKY TREE - Tadao Ando / Kiichi Sumikawa

[lofter1]

New Tokyo Tower

world's tallest freestanding structure

es.biz.yahoo.com (http://es.biz.yahoo.com/24112006/24/foto/this-is-computer-generated-image-designed-under-supervision-of-japanese.html)

http://eur.news1.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/xp/ap_photo/20061124/all/l2236948.jpg
(AP Photo/Kyodo News)

This is a computer-generated image, designed under supervision of Japanese architect Tadao Ando and sculptor Kiichi Sumikawa unveiled Friday, Nov. 24, 2006, of the 610-meter (667-yard) tall New Tokyo Tower due to be built in an old railway yard in Tokyo's Sumida Ward by 2011.

Six Japanese broadcasting networks and Tobu Railway Co., the owner of the site, will work together to construct the television and radio transmitter tower for digital terrestrial broadcasting that will be the tallest tower in the world.

***

Japanese planners reveal design of world's tallest tower for downtown Tokyo

breitbart.com (http://www.breitbart.com/news/na/cp_u112504A.xml.html)
November 25, 2006

TOKYO (AP) - Japanese planners this week revealed the design of a huge broadcast tower that is set to become the world's tallest structure upon completion in 2011, eclipsing even Canada's CN Tower.

The tower will stand 613.5 metres tall, according to Tobu Railway Co., which has provided land for the project. Once finished, it will claim the title from the CN Tower in Toronto, 553-metre-tall communications structure and outlook point which is currently the world's tallest freestanding structure.

Dubbed the "New Tokyo Tower," the building will replace a 332-metre tower built in 1958.

The new tower, designed by award-winning Japanese architect Tadao Ando and sculptor Kiichi Sumikawa, will stand on a triangular foundation. But its slender body will turn into a cylinder as it stretches upward, its bluish-silver colour blending into the sky.

The tower is being built by Japan's six top broadcasters and is expected to greatly bolster television and radio transmissions in the capital.

Though it now competes with a plethora of skyscrapers, the old tower is one of Tokyo's most visible landmarks and is visited by 2.5 million tourists each year. The new tower will stand in the capital's Sumida ward, an area wedged between the Sumida and Arakawa rivers and known for its old-Tokyo ambiance.

Sumida ward beat out 15 other areas in Tokyo to host the tower, many of which were dropped after failing broadcast feasibility tests or coming up short in other ways, including the availability of mass transit.

©2006 BREITBART.COM, LLC.

[lofter1]

http://www.rising-east.jp/about/newtower.html

[ website in japanese ^^^ :confused: ;) ]

http://www.rising-east.jp/about/img/ill_tower_tgaiyou.jpg

http://www.rising-east.jp/about/img/ill_tower_tgaiyoudanmen.jpg

http://www.rising-east.jp/about/img/ill_tower_yakuwari.jpg

[lofter1]

A model ( from poly technique (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/member.php?u=32190) at skyscrapercity (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=10609876&postcount=45) ) ...

http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/6529/061124towerp0bk7.jpg

The Ando / Sumikawa design seems to have supplanted a previous proposal that was derided by many.

Note the Eiffel Tower-ish look down low ...

http://static.flickr.com/46/119402285_e00c4c71c2.jpg

[lofter1]

More from http://www.rising-east.jp/project/vision.html

[ wish I could read Japanese :o ]

http://www.rising-east.jp/project/img/visionPhoto.jpg

http://www.rising-east.jp/project/img/locationMap.gif

[lofter1]

And still more from Rising East Website ...

Cool vid (~ 6.5 minutes, narrated in Japanese) on the homepage (http://www.rising-east.jp/top.html) (icon at upper left) ...

http://www.rising-east.jp/about/concept.html

The view from below ...

http://www.rising-east.jp/about/img/ill_tower_descon.jpg

a glimpse of one of the platforms ...

http://www.rising-east.jp/about/img/desconceptHeader.jpg

http://www.rising-east.jp/img/footer.gif

[Alonzo-ny]

667 yards, whats that in cubits?

[lofter1]

~ 1,107.8181818181818181818181818182 ;)


depending, of course, on which cubit (http://www.hooper-home.net/TEMPLE/Intro~08.htm) is used ...
1 sacred cubit = 25.0266 British inches

1 Jewish cubit = 21.0 inches


1 royal cubit = 20.64 inches
1 Sumerian cubit = 19.8 inches
1 great cubit = 18.14 inches

[Alonzo-ny]

lol

[MidtownGuy]

That thing is very good looking. I love the way it subtly transforms from angular into a cylinder as it rises.

[TREPYE]

http://eur.news1.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/xp/ap_photo/20061124/all/l2236948.jpg
(AP Photo/Kyodo News)
©2006 BREITBART.COM, LLC.

Nice. Makes me wish that we would have gotten that Bayonne Communications tower.

[MidtownGuy]

me too.

[canguy23m]

there are too many proposed 'tallest buildings or structures in the world' in cities like Tokyo. Build it first then we can talk about it.

[Alonzo-ny]

there are too many proposed 'tallest buildings or structures in the world' in cities like Tokyo. Build it first then we can talk about it.

i agree, there are to many flash in the pan proposals all over that havent moved for years

[Geer]

By far not the tallest to be and surely not the biggest beauty.

See this one Similar height. Guangzhou, China. Already under coinstruction.

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k286/digitalfans/guangzhou%20tv%20tower/3_4pmp0VQSCkAR.jpg
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k286/digitalfans/guangzhou%20tv%20tower/0231FF30.jpg

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k286/digitalfans/guangzhou%20tv%20tower/02323935.jpg

[MidtownGuy]

One of those for Christmas, please.

[schwenko]

Any updates on groundbreaking, etc?
I was there last month, and the local tourist office had some nice visualizations.
It will be very close (across the river) from Asahi Super Dry Hall (aka "unchi biru"):D

[JCMAN320]

That last set of pictures was reminescent of the tower they wanted to construct in JC for a communications tower that was gonna pic up the slack for the destoryed WTC.

[Meerkat]

What an amazing tower. Beautiful.

[schwenko]

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Tokyo Sky Tree construction starts

Kyodo News
Tobu Railway Co. and others held a ceremony Monday to mark the beginning of construction of the 610-meter Tokyo Sky Tree in Sumida Ward, scheduled for completion in spring 2012.
A prayer was offered for the safety of construction workers at the site of the new radio and TV transmission tower.
Tokyo Sky Tree, which will be one of the world's tallest radio and TV transmission towers, is to commence operation in spring 2012.
NHK and the five major commercial broadcasters are currently using Tokyo Tower to transmit both analog and digital TV signals.

[zupermaus]

I like alot

[meesalikeu]

i saw this:

http://www.tokyo-skytree.jp/english/images/img_about_towerill.jpg http://www.tokyo-skytree.jp/english/images/img_about_tower.jpg

Fiscal 2006 Basic design
Fiscal 2007~8 Execution design
July 2008 Start of construction
December 2011 (Scheduled) Construction completion
Spring 2012 (Scheduled) Grand opening

http://www.tokyo-skytree.jp/english/


http://www.japanprobe.com/wp-content/uploads/tokyotower-chart.jpg http://www.japanprobe.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/tokyo-sky-tree.jpg

The new super tower (http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=2766) being build in Tokyo, which had been unofficially known as “New Tokyo Tower” or “Sumida Tower,” now has an official name. According to Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Tokyo_Tower), people had been asked to vote for one of six not-very-interesting names:


Tokyo Edo Tower
Tokyo Sky Tree
Mirai Tree
Yume Miyagura
Rising East Tower
Rising Tower

And the winner was: Tokyo Sky Tree, with 32,000 votes. The runner-up was Tokyo Edo Tower, with 1,500 votes.


http://gizmodo.com/assets/images/gizmodo/2008/06/japan-sky-tree-tower-tokyo.jpg


feb 2009 flickr construction shot:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3477/3299417187_3fd8a63368.jpg?v=1235306626 http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0gSZdXvaZ57aL/610x.jpg

^ more:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/yoshikazut/3299417187/

http://www.daylife.com/photo/0gSZdXvaZ57aL

current height as of june 2009: 54 meters

[zupermaus]

the one in Guangzhou nearly completed now, 2001 ft:


http://image211.poco.cn/mypoco/myphoto/20090226/23/44648319200902262307232164260251417_009.jpg

http://image211.poco.cn/mypoco/myphoto/20090226/23/44648319200902262307232164260251417_023.jpg

http://bbs.home.news.cn/upfiles/03D20B92.002C

[Gregory Tenenbaum]

http://gizmodo.com/assets/images/gizmodo/2008/06/japan-sky-tree-tower-tokyo.jpg

Its right near my apartment in Tokyo. I used to frequent the lookout on the old tower, where they broadcast jazz performance every Wednesday night from Club 333 on the main lookout (150 metres up - the other lookout is about 250 high) but now I simply go to Blue Note (yes there is a BN in Tokyo).

This looks like beauty. More importantly, that's the Asahi Beer Museum on the right, complete with a giant golden foam drop.

http://www.pushpullbar.com/forum_attachments/new_tokyo_tower.jpg
http://www.pushpullbar.com/forum_attachments/new_tokyo_tower.jpg

[schwenko]

http://gizmodo.com/assets/images/gizmodo/2008/06/japan-sky-tree-tower-tokyo.jpg

Its right near my apartment in Tokyo. I used to frequent the lookout on the old tower, where they broadcast jazz performance every Wednesday night from Club 333 on the main lookout (150 metres up - the other lookout is about 250 high) but now I simply go to Blue Note (yes there is a BN in Tokyo).

This looks like beauty. More importantly, that's the Asahi Beer Museum on the right, complete with a giant golden foam drop.

http://www.pushpullbar.com/forum_attachments/new_tokyo_tower.jpg
http://www.pushpullbar.com/forum_attachments/new_tokyo_tower.jpg

I was there (Tokyo Sky Tree construction site) this past May and saw that construction has begun.

BTW, for the Asahi building, besides the beer foam (below) there is an "unchi"

[mr messer]

Oh yes amigos this is a good one!

They are building the first observation deck separate and when completed it will be hoisted (they are up to the 350 meter mark now).

And the core of the tower is separate from the exterior like a pagoda which makes it earthquake proof amigos isn't that very good because Japan has many earthquakes when I was there in June I felt hundreds of earthquakes my very self amigos.

And this video is the best I've seen so far but watch from 2:30 (http://sleepny.lefora.com/2010/04/03/tokyo-sky-tree-now-tallest-structure-in-japan/29/) amigos its the funniest thing you will see about the Sky Tree.

[lofter1]

Time lapse (sort of) ...

Tokyo Sky Tree (http://vimeo.com/12362273) (from 281m to 389m)

[lofter1]

MODS -- Now that this building has a name, could someone please change the title of this thread:

TOKYO SKY TREE - Tadao Ando / Kiichi Sumikawa

[lofter1]

Tokyo Sky Tree Lighting Design (http://www.tokyo-skytree.jp/english/design/lighting.html)

Lights connecting the past to the future, lights reaching out to the heart of every person

The tower will be lit up by a new style of lighting consisting of two operations used alternately every other day. The operations are called Iki, the spirit held by the urbane commoners of Edo, and Miyabi, one of the traditional Japanese aesthetic ideals meaning "elegance," "refinement," or "courtliness." The lighting concept is to communicate today that continues on to tomorrow and the future that lies beyond. The tower will represent the history and culture of the downtown area where it stands by adopting, in different parts of the structure, designs that inherit the nostalgic scenes of the old capital city of Edo.

Iki, the spirit:

10080

Miyabi, aesthetic ideal:

10081

[WizardOfOss]

Looks pretty impressive, they're only building it on the wrong location. There's hardly anything specific to see from there, only this Asahi HQ and the Golden Turd, and the Senso-ji temple at the opposite side of the river. It's like building a 600 meter tall tower in the Bronx...

[stache]

I'm guessing it might have something to do with best broadcast location.

[mr messer]

Do a quarter of a million people live in 14 km2 in the Bronx amigo? Thats how many live within a 3-4km distance from the Sky Tree. And within a 1 hour fast train trip there are 40 million people. I was just there in June and it's a big city a lot bigger than the Bronx amigo. Oh yes. So why the location? Because when you see the postcards of the city with the Sky Tree all lit up it's gonna look the best amigo, that's why.

[WizardOfOss]

I'm guessing it might have something to do with best broadcast location.Probably, and I can imagine that's more important than the view. Or at least more profitable...

[WizardOfOss]

Do a quarter of a million people live in 14 km2 in the Bronx amigo? Thats how many live within a 3-4km distance from the Sky Tree. And within a 1 hour fast train trip there are 40 million people. I was just there in June and it's a big city a lot bigger than the Bronx amigo. Oh yes. So why the location? Because when you see the postcards of the city with the Sky Tree all lit up it's gonna look the best amigo, that's why.
I know Tokyo is quite a bit bigger than any other city on our planet, nothing can compare to it in sheer size. But that doesn't change the fact that it's quite a distance away from most tourist areas, and miles away from the areas you see on most postcards. But as stache already mentioned, that's probably of minor concern when building such a tower.

[mr messer]

No I was just there and its about a 10 minute subway trip from the big business areas in Tokyo and its about a 5 to 10 minute walk from the biggest tourist areas like Sensoji Temple. But if you look at the 58 Tokyo Tower its not exactly anywhere near a tourist area and it's built in a small valley in the city and takes a good 20 minutes or more from Roppongi so Sky Tree is a good location. Besides 40 million PEOPLE LIVE WITHIN AN HOUR BY SUPERFAST TRAIN! So that's close TO NEARLY EVERYONE IN ALL OF JAPAN!

Oh yes Amigo, that's GOOD LOCATION!

[WizardOfOss]

Let's put it this way: so far, east of the Sumida river, there was hardly anything interesting for most tourists. Now there is. Tokyo is quite simple: almost anything interesting is within or near the Yamanote railway line. So is the old tower. Senso-ji was one of the few exceptions. Now there's one more. Tokyo is a huge city, and there's no such thing as the single most ideal location. But if I had to name a few, this location would definitely not be on my list.

With the fabulous public transport system, the tourist probably will find it, that's not the problem. I'm just not sure about what they get to see. As I mentioned before, probably just the Asahi HQ, and maybe the Senso-ji (over a mile away, I can't walk that distance in 5 to 10 minutes...) if it isn't hidden behind highrise. You saw my picture of the old Tokyo Tower as seen from the Mori Tower? That's less than a mile, and that's a huge tower, not a relatively small temple. The only other thing you'll see is an incredible amount of totally nondescript buildings.

Earlier I made the comparison of building such a tower in the Bronx. Let's say just across the river, near 149th St. station. That's actually closer to Midtown than this tower is to Shinjuku, Shibuya or Minato (Roppongi), both in distance and traveling time. Does that sound like an ideal location for an observation platform?

[Alonzo-ny]

I am pretty sure it is a TV tower over all else. Never the less, it is a new attraction, it doesn't require existing ones to make it work.

[WizardOfOss]

Never the less, it is a new attraction, it doesn't require existing ones to make it work.Well I don't know about you, but the reason I pay an entrance fee to get to an observation platform is to get a nice view, which is all about the surroundings. I'm sure this won't be too bad, especially at night, but there are already at least four or five towers (of which one is actually free to visit) with a much more central location, and as a result a more interesting view. Which one would you spend your money on?

But I agree, the view probably wasn't the main concern when choosing the location.

[Alonzo-ny]

I really can't say as all circumstances are unique. Being far away has it's benefits. For example in NY, top of the rock is right in the middle of midtown. But I feel it isn't really a great observatory because it is so central that the surroundings look less impressive as you are too close to appreciate them. Plus you are so close many things are blocked out by buildings which are too close to you. For example teh Chrysler building which is blocked out by the Metlife building.. However in the ESB you have a little more distance and everything looks much more impressive.

[zupermaus]

some pics :)

http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/9477/fa8bfa39.jpg

http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/9205/e2e0c3f6.jpg

http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/2032/100723a2.jpg

http://img827.imageshack.us/img827/8748/201007201.jpg

http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/3862/201007102.jpg


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4034/4696530755_376b4b5dac_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4025/4697343320_27d08cb23f_b.jpg

[mr messer]

Let's put it this way: so far, east of the Sumida river, there was hardly anything interesting for most tourists. Now there is. Tokyo is quite simple: almost anything interesting is within or near the Yamanote railway line. So is the old tower. Senso-ji was one of the few exceptions. Now there's one more. Tokyo is a huge city, and there's no such thing as the single most ideal location. But if I had to name a few, this location would definitely not be on my list.

With the fabulous public transport system, the tourist probably will find it, that's not the problem. I'm just not sure about what they get to see. As I mentioned before, probably just the Asahi HQ, and maybe the Senso-ji (over a mile away, I can't walk that distance in 5 to 10 minutes...) if it isn't hidden behind highrise. You saw my picture of the old Tokyo Tower as seen from the Mori Tower? That's less than a mile, and that's a huge tower, not a relatively small temple. The only other thing you'll see is an incredible amount of totally nondescript buildings.

Earlier I made the comparison of building such a tower in the Bronx. Let's say just across the river, near 149th St. station. That's actually closer to Midtown than this tower is to Shinjuku, Shibuya or Minato (Roppongi), both in distance and traveling time. Does that sound like an ideal location for an observation platform?

Yes as its an hour away by superfast train from 40 million people in the Tokyo Capitol Region.

Yes as its a few minutes walk on flat ground from Sensoji possibly the biggest Tokyo attraction other than than Meiji Shrine that isnt a business district.

Yes as its a few minutes walk on flat ground from Sumida River which hosts the biggest festivals in Japan when the fireworks go off.

Yes as its going to be seen easily from nearby Ueno (only minutes from Sensoji) when the cherry blossoms bloom.

Yes because even though we dropped the big bang 65 years ago we don't get to choose the site of their trademark national symbol tower because they do.

Yes because there are few other buildings to block the view of the Sky Tree as its all on flat ground and with lots of small buildings in the areas surrounding it unlike Tokyo Tower which has big valley.

Yes because the Sumida right near the Sky Tree has the most number of river cruises (especially for the fireworks).

Yes because when the big earthquake hits and it falls over its not going to spoil the HQ of Tokyo Government/top 500 corporations which it would if built in those places you mention.

Yes because check out this awesome video (http://tinyurl.com/35p6n4g) from my friend Takeshi why its going to be the most awesome tower in all of East Asia.

Yes because its awesome more than Burj Dubai.

Yes. Because.

[Alonzo-ny]

Thanks for the pics. I have watched this one literally rocket up. Great construction porn.

[mr messer]

Yes because you can already see it from 50 km away from all directions (http://sleepny.lefora.com/2010/04/03/tokyo-sky-tree-now-tallest-structure-in-japan/10/) in and around Tokyo without any buildings blocking the view.

And that my amigos is very special. Also, for a premier icon of the city, it is probably 1/5th of the cost of say the Shard in London and much taller and more iconic, and will take only 3 years to build. They could build 5 of these for every Shard.

[Alonzo-ny]

Interesting about the cost, didn't know that.

[mr messer]

Yep, its cheap. I bet those Dubai people are kicking themselves now they built a skyscraper and not a tower.

Towers have
No expensive glass cladding
No fittings
No floors
No electricity/plumbing except lifts
No wear and tear from traffic except decks
No anything on 180 floors which it would be if an occupied building

SKY TREE RAWKS AMIGOS and come fireworks festival time where there are 10-15 million people lined up on the river right there (http://sleepny.lefora.com/2010/04/03/tokyo-sky-tree-now-tallest-structure-in-japan/8/) near the Sky Tree for the big fireworks festival it's going to look like massive awesome.

[WizardOfOss]

@Alonzo, I do agree that some distance is better, but there's a difference between building it half a mile away or building it over 4-8 miles away from the major skyscraper districts.

@Zupermaus, great pictures. Regardless of the location, it is a beautiful tower. I can't remember having seen such latticeworks transform from triangular at the bottom to circular at the top, very original. And I have to admit, on a very clear day like in the first picture, the view will be stunning, you can see all of central Tokyo, and if you're really lucky you might even have a glimpse of Mt. Fuji as a backdrop. But only on a very clear day. On the average day you'll hardly see those Shinjuku skyscrapers.

[WizardOfOss]

Yep, its cheap. I bet those Dubai people are kicking themselves now they built a skyscraper and not a tower.You just forget one little detail: regardless of cost, Dubai still beats this tower in sheer height, and not by just a little margin. This is just a tall tower (a very nice one), but they have the tallest building in the world. And the whole world knows it.

[Alonzo-ny]

Tokyo still wins overall, because it is actually a city.

[WizardOfOss]

Tokyo still wins overall, because it is actually a city.
I'm with you on that, definitely. Dubai is fun for a day, maybe two, that's it. I spend almost two weeks in Tokyo, and I still just want to go there again. The most amazing city I visited so far, and I can't imagine any city to beat it. But hey, a couple of years ago, I thought exactly the same about NYC...

[Alonzo-ny]

I can't wait to visit Tokyo, and Japan in general. Just need to get saving!

[mr messer]

Yes better than Dubai because its a unique country and unique city with no other like it. 40 million people within a fast train trip of the city makes it a good one amigo.

When I was there I didnt understand a thing. Language lessons are probably worth it. But this will make you cry with joy when you watch and realize how much they value the towers in the culture. (http://sleepny.lefora.com/2009/12/07/tokyo-tower/7/)

[WizardOfOss]

Just returned from my third trip to Japan, and of course with some special interest for this tower. Well, it's near impossible to miss, as it is simply huge, it can clearly be seen from the MGO in Shinjuku (7 miles away) or the Sunshine 60 in Ikebukuro (5 miles). On a clear day, you should definitely be able to see it from the Yokohama Landmark Tower, over 20 miles away. When I visited the neighbourhood (a rather quiet, sleepy part of town that already seemed to have fully embraced their first real tourist magnet) they were at 559 meters, and stil going up.

I haven't had the time to have a look at my photo's, but I'll put some online in a few days.

[lofter1]

Oh, Yes ... PHOTOS please!

[WizardOfOss]

Most pictures taken at January 18th:

http://sanderw.nl/foto/reizen/2011/01-Japan/TokyoSkyTree/P1040653.JPG

http://sanderw.nl/foto/reizen/2011/01-Japan/TokyoSkyTree/DSC_3743.JPG

http://sanderw.nl/foto/reizen/2011/01-Japan/TokyoSkyTree/DSC_3785.JPG

http://sanderw.nl/foto/reizen/2011/01-Japan/TokyoSkyTree/DSC_3786.JPG

http://sanderw.nl/foto/reizen/2011/01-Japan/TokyoSkyTree/P1040676.JPG

http://sanderw.nl/foto/reizen/2011/01-Japan/TokyoSkyTree/P1040683.JPG

http://sanderw.nl/foto/reizen/2011/01-Japan/TokyoSkyTree/P1040687.JPG

http://sanderw.nl/foto/reizen/2011/01-Japan/TokyoSkyTree/DSC_3818.JPG


From Asakusa (about a mile away), with the Asahi Breweries HQ and the Golden Turd:

http://sanderw.nl/foto/reizen/2011/01-Japan/TokyoSkyTree/P1040631.JPG


From the Metropolitan Government Office in Shinjuku:

http://sanderw.nl/foto/reizen/2011/01-Japan/TokyoSkyTree/P1040193.JPG

http://sanderw.nl/foto/reizen/2011/01-Japan/TokyoSkyTree/P1040196.JPG


From the Sunshine 60 in Ikebukuro:

http://sanderw.nl/foto/reizen/2011/01-Japan/TokyoSkyTree/P1040798.JPG

http://sanderw.nl/foto/reizen/2011/01-Japan/TokyoSkyTree/P1040799.JPG
(imagine this with some proper lighting...)


Tokyo's newest tourist attraction, in an area that could really use something like this:
http://sanderw.nl/foto/reizen/2011/01-Japan/TokyoSkyTree/DSC_3797.JPG

http://sanderw.nl/foto/reizen/2011/01-Japan/TokyoSkyTree/DSC_3799.JPG

http://sanderw.nl/foto/reizen/2011/01-Japan/TokyoSkyTree/P1040668.JPG

[HoveringCheesecake]

Awesome pictures! USA needs to get that "pride" back with our magnificent buildings/structures. I read stuff online and see comments by New Yorkers who are proud that they have never visited the Empire State Building or the Statue of Liberty.

Facepalm.

[beyond 1000]

Tokyo still wins overall, because it is actually a city.

Here, here!

The Tokyo Sky Tree now at 634m is a superb tower. The upper deck should be at 450m or 1476 ft. These figures are not official but are close. Can't wait until this gem is opened up to the public.