The international war of height continues as Japan reworks a plan to reach a new world record. Plans for the Tokyo Sky Tree have been changed in the hopes of making it the world’s tallest tower when it is scheduled to be opened in early 2012.
Tobu Railway and Tobu Tower Sky Tree, the tower’s constructors, announced on October 16th that they will extend the top antenna 24 meters (79 feet), to give the tower a new total height of 634 meters (2,080 feet) when it is finished.
Kinya Miyasugi, President of Tobu Tower Sky Tree, told reporters, “We are praying that we will be number one in the world when we are complete.” The change is in response to the Guangzhou TV & Sightseeing Tower in China, which took the title of the world’s tallest tower this year when it was topped out at 610 meters (2,001 feet) – the originally planned height for the Tokyo Sky Tree. Both Towers beat the CN Tower in Toronto, which stands at around 553 meters (1,815 feet). The world’s tallest structure is still said to be the Burj Dubai in the UAE at 818 meters (2,684 feet)
Kinya Miyasugi, President of Tobu Tower Sky Tree, told reporters, “We are praying that we will be number one in the world when we are complete.” The change is in response to the Guangzhou TV & Sightseeing Tower in China, which took the title of the world’s tallest tower this year when it was topped out at 610 meters (2,001 feet) – the originally planned height for the Tokyo Sky Tree. Both Towers beat the CN Tower in Toronto, which stands at around 553 meters (1,815 feet). The world’s tallest structure is still said to be the Burj Dubai in the UAE at 818 meters (2,684 feet)
The Yomiuri Shimbun reported that the redesigned antenna will be dubbed “Musashi”, in commemoration of the name of the old region of which Tokyo is now a part. “Musashi” is also a Japanese play on words for the number 6-3-4 and the reason for the numerical choice of the new final height. The change to the Musashi antenna will reportedly not affect the final cost or scheduled completion date of the entire tower. Also in July 2011, the current analog broadcasting will end and a complete transition made to digital broadcasting. Five commercial stations and NHK took this as a turning point to advance preparations towards digital broadcasting from a TV tower with a height of around 600m and decided on the Sumida/Taito area as the site for construction of the tower.
According to the Tokyo Sky Tree offcial website, the tower is currently at 174 meters (571 feet). When it’s completed, it will have two observation decks, one at 350 meters (1,148 feet) and another at 450 meters (1,476 feet).
Unlike the current Tokyo Tower, the base of Tokyo Sky Tree will be more than an expanse of asphalt with some scraggly gardens and minor amusement facilities. It is envisioned as an entire urban working, shopping, transportation, and community center, right beneath the tower, helping better utilize the available space. (The Examiner)
Unlike the current Tokyo Tower, the base of Tokyo Sky Tree will be more than an expanse of asphalt with some scraggly gardens and minor amusement facilities. It is envisioned as an entire urban working, shopping, transportation, and community center, right beneath the tower, helping better utilize the available space. (The Examiner)
