By Montaha Al-Fadhli (with photos)
KUWAIT, Aug 27 (KUNA) -- The famous Kuwait Towers, which were the highest in the country for a long time, will no longer be within the list of the 10 highest buildings in the capital within the next few years.
Kuwait Towers were officially opened in March 1979, where the main tower was 187 meters high, but with the continuous construction of new towers and buildings in the capital, the city's symbol now has competitors.
Al-Hamra Tower, which is still under construction, will be at the top of the list of highest buildings in the capital, and even higher than the Liberation Tower, with a height of 412 meters and 77 storeys. It will be the world's first sculpture and stone covered skyscraper.
The building includes 40 lifts, of a speed of 10 meters per second, and 40 person capacity, with two others for services, each with a capacity of seven tons, where more than KD 40 million was invested in this project.
The Capital Tower ranks second on the list, at 376 meters high and comprising 70 storeys, costing around KD 90 million, and is expected to finish by the year 2010.
The Liberation Tower, at 372 meters high, was the highest in the Middle East for a number of years, while it now ranks third among the new towers in the capital. It was opened in the year 1996, built at the cost of KD 50 millions.
The Gate of Kuwait ranks the fourth, with the height of 320 meters, and its 70 storeys.
The second Arraya Tower ranks the fifth, and is still under construction, expected to finish next year, with the height of 300 meters, and 60 stories.
Capital Complex Tower ranks the sixth, with its 70 stories, and 280 meters height, while Intercontinental Hotel Tower follows it at seventh, with the same height, but with 60 storeys.
Al-Motahida Tower ranks the eighth, with a height of 260 meters, and 60 storeys. However, it is still under construction, and is expected to finish year 2010.
Kuwait Central Bank Tower ranks the ninth, with a height of 240 meters, and 42 storeys. It is also still under construction.
Kuwait Literary Waqf Tower, owned by Abdulaziz Al-Babatain, comes at the end of the list at 230 meters high, and its 50 storeys, and is expected to finish by the year 2009.
The list of the highest buildings in Kuwait city is not final, as it keeps changing from time to time according to what new buildings are declared, or what is licensed by Kuwait Municipality, or even as changes are made to designs.
The most famous skyscraper that will be built in Kuwait is Mubarak Al-Kabir Tower, which is planned to be constructed in Silk City, and its height is expected to reach 1001 meters according to the current designs of the building. However, these towers are still being studied.
Silk City is located outside Kuwait City and the investments in this city were estimated to reach around KD 29 billion.
Among all those skyscrapers, Kuwait Towers have lost their position among the highest in both the Middle East and in Kuwait City, yet they will always remain one of the most attractive tourist destinations in the city.
Copyright Kuwait News Agency 2008.
