Story of the Iconic Legacy Tower in Bangladesh

The race to touch the sky, the need to emerge taller, is as old as time. Yet during the past century, we have seen numerous skyscrapers being built. However, all of them are located in other parts of the world. When you think of skyscrapers, the Burj Khalifa, the Shanghai Tower in China, or One World Trade Center in the USA will pop up in your mind. Being said that, Bangladesh is now on its way to build Legacy Tower, the tallest building in Asia.

Background of Legacy Tower

Although the construction was scheduled to begin in 2016, it did not come to fruition. Initially, it was decided that the height would be 142 floors. Since the old plan did not see any shed of hope, the construction started with the new plan.

The idea to make a tall skyscraper in Bangladesh came from Bangladeshi-American industrialist Kali Prodip Chaudhuri. After many discussions and meetings, the idea was sketched on paper, and Purbachal was selected as the location. However, it took quite a while to get approval from Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) and from the Civil Aviation Authority, Bangladesh (CAAB). After several revisions, the project got approval in 2019. Both the Bangladesh government and a private organisation, Powerpac Holdings limited, agreed to invest in the project. PowerPack bought 46.1-hectares of land in 2019 at Purbachal, new town sector 19.

Financials

In 2020 Powerpac managed to secure a $7.7 billion equivalent to Tk600 billion funding from a foreign source. Later they also worked to get an additional $4.3 billion from undisclosed sources. So far, the estimated cost would be Tk 96,000 crore. However, it may increase as the project progresses.

Detail

The legacy tower will be 428 m (1,404 ft) tall, while the tip will be measured at 473 m (1,552 ft) tall. It will have 111 floors in total, and from 96F-111F it will feature a legacy lounge. The lounge will offer a fantastic view of the Purbachal new town from the highest observation deck in Bangladesh as it is going to be Asia's one of the tallest buildings.

The construction has started in October 2020, which is expected to finish in 2027. However, the authority also keeps the scope of extending the finish date.

Design

The legacy tower is a part of the 'Bangabandhu Tri Tower,' which consists of two more skyscrapers beside the Legacy Tower. The other two buildings are the 51-story Language tower and the 71-story Liberation tower. Considering the three towers as hubs, 38 additional buildings will also be built around the Bangabandhu Tri Tower.

It is designed by Heerim Architects. Besides, the Planners of South Korea suggested many unique structural and aesthetic features. The Towers are being constructed jointly by the three different organisations. Among the three, two of them are Bangladeshi, and the other one is from Japan. PowerPac Holding and Shaker Group will join the Kajima Corporation of Japan.

Technologies

The buildings will be able to generate power via solar and from waste energy. However, the three towers will have three different observatory decks, namely Purbachal Eye, Dhaka Eye, and Dhaka Moon.

Surroundings

As mentioned earlier, the Bangabandhu Tri Tower will work as a central part surrounded by several other buildings. However, we have already talked about the Liberation and Language tower.

The whole project is entitled the Purbachal Central Business District (CBD) development. The other buildings will be a part of the CBD project.

However, the additional building will be ranging from 38-40 floors which will include numerous facilities such as-

• Convention centre: CBD will have a dedicated 45 storied commercial tower which will be 220 m or 720 feet tall. The total area of the convention centre will be 3.6 million square feet.
• Business Hotel: The 42-floor business hotel will surely entertain foreign delegates and visitors.
• Commercial zone: A separate commercial zone will also be there, which will have nine floors and an area of 243620 square meters.
• Grade A Offices: These buildings will be 45 storied with a height of 225 m or 673 feet.
• Purbachal Infra Zone: The Infra Zone will consist of 10 commercial towers, each of them consisting 42 floors.
• Residential Zone: The ten residential buildings of 42 floors each will have a height of 170 m or 560 feet.
• Hospital Zone: A 200-bed hospital also be included in the design.
• Educational Zone: Schools are a part of the residential area. Therefore, the schooling facility will be located in the residential area.
• Central Park: Waterfront space, along with the water deck facilities, will be a great source of entertainment for both residents and visitors.

Other Facilities

The authority will implement an underground common duct system to make the water and sewage system convenient. Besides, the electricity and communication lines will also go underground. High tech and modern wall will be established to surround the area, which will serve as a protection boundary and elevated walkway for cycling or jogging.

Additionally, the automated waste management system has also been added to the plan, and the wastages will be discharged in the common ground. However, the project also keeps the proper drainage system in the plan, and heavy rainfall will not be an issue. The intelligent traffic system supplies convenient traffic information so that the residents will not have to face traffic issues.

Approximately 60% of the cost has already been arranged, while two other countries the UAE and the Philippines, are interested in making an investment in Bangabandhu Tri Tower. Many Bangladeshi people may disagree with this project, but the project will lead to building the economic strength of Bangladesh. Besides, the perceptions of Bangladesh will also be bright abroad.