Latest news with #Shard
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE How to move to Qatar: Dubai's low-key neighbour offers high wages, tax benefits, free accommodation and year-round sunshine
It might be a small country, but Qatar 's influence far outweighs its size. The country's gas wealth has enabled it to own vast chunks of London, including major landmarks like the Shard and Harrods, and it recently gifted President Trump a palatial 747 jet (worth around $400milion). Since hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the country has also enjoyed a wave of tourism; last year, visitors hit five million for the first time. Like its neighbours Dubai and Saudi, Qatar is diversifying for a carbon-free future and investing heavily in financial services, hospitality and real estate as part of its Vision 2030 programme. It now hosts sports events such as the Grand Prix, AFC Asian Cup, MotoGP and Qatar WTP Open.
Metro
16-05-2025
- Metro
Inside 807ft skyscraper in a forest that's almost as tall as London's Shard
A skyscraper almost as tall as London's Shard has been built in the middle of a forest – and it's become a popular tourist attraction. The huge, twisting tower surrounded by trees in south west Germany has a very practical purpose, besides sticking out of the surrounding countryside. Located near the medieval town of Rottweil, the futuristic concrete structure looks like something out of a sci-fi film. But instead of containing ultra-modern apartments, as you might expect from such a striking building, the 807ft (246m) skyscraper is actually used to test lifts. The TK Elevator Testturm has 12 shafts used to test different elevator systems, which taken together measure up to 6,560ft (2km) in length. It is almost as tall as the Shard in London which measures 1,016ft, while One Canada Square in Canary Wharf is 771ft tall. In Germany, only Frankfurt's Commerzbank Tower (850ft) and Messeturm (841ft) trump the height of the lift test tower in Rottweil. In fact the city of Frankfurt is home to nine of Germany's 10 tallest buildings. The construction project to build TK Testturm was a feat of engineering, taking under 10 months from start to finish by crews working in three shifts. In total 15,000cubic metres of concrete, 200 rock nails, and 2,640tonnes of steel were used to build the structure back in 2017. The shafts inside the test tower are used to test next-generation lift technology, including high-speed models and groundbreaking systems which can move vertically and horizontally. While the futuristic tower is in sharp contrast with the surrounding countryside and nearby Rottweil, a medieval town once part of the Swiss Confederacy, it has found its place within the community and has become a popular tourist attraction. Commerzbank Tower, Frankfurt – 850ft Messtrum, Frankfurt – 841ft TK Testturm, Rottweill – 807ft Four I, Frankfurt – 764ft Westendstrabe, Frankfurt – 682ft Main Tower, Frankfurt – 656ft Tower 185, Frankfurt – 656ft One, Frankfurt – 626ft Omniturm, Frankfurt – 623ft Trianon, Frankfurt – 610ft It boasts a viewing platform at 76ft with an unobstructed view of the Black Forest and the Swiss Alps to the south. Visitors can take an elevator up to the viewing platform during weekends and bank holidays, with admission costing €9 (£7.50) for adults and €5 (£4.20) for children. Since 2018 the TK Testturm has hosted the Towerrun, where runners race to climb the tower's 1,390 steps to the viewing platform – aside from 2020, which was held virtually, and 2021 which was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. The test tower's regular visitors also include engineers and architects from around the world to trial technology and future lift designs. This includes the Multi system using magnetic levitation instead of traditional cables, enabling it to move in different directions. Engineers say this could reduce waiting times in skyscrapers and allow new designs. The TK Testturm's unusual twisted surface design has a very practical purpose, reducing vibrations caused by wind. At first, critics were sceptical of the tower being built in the middle of a picturesque forest. More Trending However, residents have since welcomed the tower as part of the local areas and it now has partnerships with schools and engineering programmes. For those wanting their conference or event to make a big impression, there are several conference rooms more than 650ft (200m) in the air for hire with stunning panoramic views from their floor-to-ceiling windows. This article was first published on November 15, 2024 Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: UK developing new 'deep precision strike' weapon with 1,242-mile range MORE: The European airport that takes you to three countries at once MORE: Speed camera catches a duck doing nearly double the limit twice in seven years
Scottish Sun
13-05-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
World's tallest apartment block twice as tall as The Shard reveals EYEWATERING price of 154th floor penthouses
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE world's tallest apartment block has revealed the price tag of its spectacular penthouses that sit sky-high on the 154th floor. Senna Tower in Santa Catarina, Brazil will stand at 1,780ft high - nearly twice the height of the Shard. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 8 Senna Tower will be 1,780ft high, nearly twice the height of the Shard Credit: Newsflash 8 The prices of the ultra-luxurious penthouses have been revealed Credit: Newsflash 8 The development is being built in Santa Catarina, Brazil Credit: Newsflash 8 Now the constructors of the ocean-side block in Balneario Camboriu have revealed the eye-watering cost of its two most luxurious residences. The block, named after Brazilian Formula 1 racing legend Ayrton Senna, will be topped by two spectacular triplex penthouses, initially estimated at an eye-watering £12 million each. Now it has emerged that the price for the for the sky scraping residences has risen to a breathtaking £40 million. Plans for the £400 million development include 228 apartments with 18 suspended mansions along with the two huge penthouses. read more news FINAL RIDE Moment world's tallest roller coaster is BLOWN UP and turned to pile of rubble Prices for the smallest apartments start at £3.7 million, with the triplex penthouses now sitting at an unbelievable £40 million. Eight ultra-speed lifts will whisk residents from floor to door in just seconds. The tower also has separate lifts to carry owners' cars to special high-rise garages. It will also have an exclusive residents-only 64,580 square feet rooftop garden and infinity pool. As well as luxury homes, the building will also contain luxury restaurants and designer shops open to the public. Engineers will use special Tunes Mass Dampers to minimise the phenomenon of building sway caused by strong winds. 8 Prices for the smallest apartments start at £3.7 million Credit: Newsflash 8 The cost of the triplex penthouses now sits at an unbelievable £40 million Credit: Newsflash 8 As well as luxury homes, the building will also contain luxury restaurants and designer shops open to the public Credit: Newsflash Senna, the three-time F1 world champion who the tower is named after, died at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix and is one of the most beloved motor racing legends of all time. The F1 star's niece, artist Lalalli Senna, who helped create the building said its design shooting into the sky shows his fight for success as the "Journey of the Hero". Senna explained: "The Senna Tower is a work of art of monumental proportions. "A symbol that inspires us to seek to overcome our limitations in order to express what is great within us. "The tower has this architectural form precisely to symbolise this heroic trajectory of overcoming our limitations towards our ideals and the manifestation of our profound potential." The triplex penthouses will reportedly be sold through British auction house Sotheby's. The tower is set to surpass New York's Central Park Tower to become the tallest residential tower globally, with construction expected to be completed by 2033. But the penthouses have a way to go to reach the gargantuan heights of the world's most expensive apartment. That's on top of Monaco's super exclusive Odeon Tower, and it last sold for an unbelievable £253 million.
The Irish Sun
13-05-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
World's tallest apartment block twice as tall as The Shard reveals EYEWATERING price of 154th floor penthouses
THE world's tallest apartment block has revealed the price tag of its spectacular penthouses that sit sky-high on the 154th floor. Senna Tower in Santa Catarina, will stand at 1,780ft high - nearly twice the height of the Shard. 8 Senna Tower will be 1,780ft high, nearly twice the height of the Shard Credit: Newsflash 8 The prices of the ultra-luxurious penthouses have been revealed Credit: Newsflash 8 The development is being built in Santa Catarina, Brazil Credit: Newsflash 8 Now the constructors of the ocean-side block in Balneario Camboriu have revealed the eye-watering cost of its two most luxurious residences. The block, named after Brazilian Formula 1 racing legend Ayrton Senna, will be topped by two spectacular triplex penthouses, initially estimated at an eye-watering £12 million each. Now it has emerged that the price for the for the sky scraping residences has risen to a breathtaking £40 million. Plans for the £400 million development include 228 apartments with 18 suspended mansions along with the two huge penthouses. read more news Prices for the smallest apartments start at £3.7 million, with the triplex penthouses now sitting at an unbelievable £40 million. Eight ultra-speed lifts will whisk residents from floor to door in just seconds. It will also have an exclusive residents-only 64,580 square feet rooftop garden and infinity Most read in The US Sun As well as Engineers will use special Tunes Mass Dampers to minimise the phenomenon of building sway caused by strong winds. 8 Prices for the smallest apartments start at £3.7 million Credit: Newsflash 8 The cost of the triplex penthouses now sits at an unbelievable £40 million Credit: Newsflash 8 As well as luxury homes, the building will also contain luxury restaurants and designer shops open to the public Credit: Newsflash Senna, the three-time F1 world champion who the tower is named after, died at the 1994 The F1 star's niece, artist Lalalli Senna, who helped create the building said its design shooting into the Senna explained: "The Senna Tower is a work of art of monumental proportions. "A symbol that inspires us to seek to overcome our limitations in order to express what is great within us. "The tower has this architectural form precisely to symbolise this heroic trajectory of overcoming our limitations towards our ideals and the manifestation of our profound potential." The triplex penthouses will reportedly be sold through British auction house Sotheby's. The tower is set to surpass New York's Central Park Tower to become the tallest residential tower globally, with construction expected to be completed by 2033. But the penthouses have a way to go to reach the gargantuan heights of the world's most expensive apartment. That's on top of Monaco's super exclusive Odeon Tower, and it last sold for an unbelievable £253 million. 8 The tower is set to surpass New York's Central Park Tower to become the tallest residential tower globally Credit: Newsflash
The Guardian
30-04-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Serious Fraud Office make three arrests after dawn raids in bribery investigation
UK fraud investigators have made three arrests in dawn raids targeting alleged bribery by a British company during the construction of a Dutch datacentre for Microsoft. The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) said on Wednesday that it was targeting UK company Blu-3 and former associates of the global construction firm Mace Group. Individuals at Blu-3 are suspected of paying more than £3m in bribes to the people linked to Mace Group. More than 70 investigators searched four homes and one commercial property in London, Kent, Surrey and Somerset on Wednesday morning, the SFO said. Authorities in Monaco simultaneously searched a suspect's premises with help from the UK. Three people were arrested for questioning, and evidence was seized for further examination. Microsoft is not under investigation. Blu-3, founded in 2004, helps to manage large construction projects. It has helped Mace in the construction of the Shard in London, the UK's tallest building, and was involved also in the regeneration of London's Battersea power station and the Chelsea Barracks. It has also worked on the UK's HS2 railway project, for Transport for London and for the struggling Thames Water. More recently, Blu-3 has focused on datacentres, amid a boom in demand for buildings to house the computer servers on which internet and artificial intelligence companies rely. It made revenues of nearly £100m in the year to March 2024, and said it had a 'strong pipeline of work for 2025', according to accounts published before the arrests. Blu-3 first entered the datacentre market in the Netherlands in 2014. Its website refers to a 'large-scale datacentre project on behalf of a blue chip software company' managed by Mace in Middenmeer, north Holland. Mace Group, which employs more than 7,400 people, made revenues of £2.4bn in 2023. The UK-headquartered company has worked on a wide range of projects, including Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and the Tate Modern gallery extension. The SFO has faced scrutiny over the length of its investigations, as well as other troubles such as the £250m cost of an investigation into Kazakh mining company Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation which resulted in no charges. Nick Ephgrave, the director of the SFO, said: 'Paying bribes to do business undermines our financial markets, the reputation of British companies and the rule of law and will not be tolerated. 'Today's action is a reminder that we will take rapid and robust action to tackle suspected bribery and corruption wherever it appears – at home and overseas.' The solicitor general and Labour MP, Lucy Rigby, attended one of the arrests in north London this morning. A Mace spokesperson said: 'Mace has a zero tolerance approach to breaches of our code of ethics and takes any allegations of bribery extremely seriously. We are committed to fully supporting the Serious Fraud Office in investigating allegations against any former associates of the group.' Blu-3 and Microsoft were approached for comment.
