OutNext - Passionately Curious

THE SHARD IN LONDON

“The Shard”, also known as the London Bridge Tower, is a skyscraper that will stretch the imagination an astounding 1017ft [306 meters] tall when construction is completed in 2012. Damn just on time for the end of the world ... that's what I call a bad timing ...



Upon completion [and assuming the end of the world will not happen] The Shard will be the tallest building in the U.K. and amongst one of the tallest buildings in all of Europe. The building will be served by 44 lifts [including double deckers] with an average intervals of 30 seconds during the rush-hours.



Some key design cues on the 72-story building include twisting glass facets on the exterior of the tower and the inside will consist of offices, apartments, restaurants, hotel [Shangri-La] and a whopping 15-story observation deck.



On the 52nd floor the pool for a breathtaking experience ... not such a good thing when trying to swim ;-)





In its commitment to environment ... it will also have 47 parking spaces only but 250 bicycles spaces. Yes you read correctly, so you better be rich and in shape to live there ;-) But who needs a car in London anyway. It will use 30% less energy than any other similar building.



The triple skin facades and computer controled blind reduced the need of AC (It is also London where it's hot about 48 hours in one year ;-)



I personally LOVE those kind of constructions, which is a city by itself, but what scares me is that I would be able to live in such towers without wanting to leave it for weeks ... and as much as it sounds fun, it also cut you from the rest of the world (not such a bad thing today) but it also sounds like one of those old sci-fy movie where you know something bad is going to happen, I don't know the rest of the world can turn into zombies without you noticing or worst, it turns into an 'ivory tower' for super rich people where low class citizen are only allow in because they clean your house or serve you food ... spooky I know!

+ Shard London Bridge Tower

NORMAN FOSTER UNVEILS TWIN TOWERS FOR PARIS

Norman Foster + Partners recently revealed the masterplan for a new sustainable community in La Defensse just outside of Paris complete with twin faceted skyscrapers.



Running alongside the Seine, Hermitage Plaza “will create a 24-hour community that will regenerate the riverfront and inject new life into a predominantly commercial part of the city.” The development will feature a hotel, spa, apartments, offices, and retail space in addition to a public piazza that runs all the way to the river’s edge. The twin triangle-faceted towers face each other at the ground level and twist as they rise to give stunning views of the city of light. Each tower features a high-performance glazed façade split into faceted panels that promote shading, and exterior vents can be opened for natural ventilation".

The two 323 meter towers are slated to break ground in 2010 and complete by the end of 2014.

5 FRANKLIN PLACE MY NEW NYC HOME ADDRESS

I love living in Los Angeles and the only way you could get me out of here to move to NYC is to give me a condo at the Five Franklin Place located in the heart of Tribeca ;-) I never said I was not picky ...



With prices ranging from $959.000 to $16.000.000 for a triplex with rooftop terrace (I like that one) if you like that one too you will have to add a nice $6.371 for your monthly common charges! All pricing detail here and all floor-plans here.



The 20 stories building will contain 55, one, two, three and four bedroom units that will be set up as duplex lofts on the lower floors, single-level city residents above plus three triplex penthouses each with a rooftop terrace and serviced by private internal elevators.



The building designed by Dutch architect Ben van Berkell of UNStudio, will be wrapped in a series of horizontal black metallic bands each of which ungulates as it curves around and hugs the frame of the structure. The façade is apparently a direct tribute to the original 19th century built form of cast iron that shaped lower Manhattan and the metallic surface will reflect light while highlighting the magnificence of the neighboring buildings. The master bathrooms of the upper units will feature a circular sliding wall that allows the bathroom to become part of the bedroom and share its spectacular city views.







If you decide to buy one the triplex penthouses please feel free to contact me, I am your new best friend :-)

+ Five Franklin Place

EVERYTHING IS SMALLER IN VEGAS

When it comes to Las Vegas and buildings, size does matter ... But have you heard about the shrinking Hotel!?

Topping out at 28 stories instead of the proposed 49, the incredible shrinking Harmon seems unfortunately fated to look like a stubby, squashed stepchild next to its soaring CityCenter siblings, the 61-story Aria Resort & Casino and the 57-story Vdara condo-hotel.

WHY!?

That is the result of construction flaws, 15 floors of wrongly installed rebar that forced MGM Mirage, which is developing the project with Dubai World, to rapidly call for a significant reduction of the nongaming boutique hotel. More details on the Las Vegas Sun

Ok now it does not even make me want to walk by that building, not to mention staying a night in.

'Oups! we actually f*** Up the construction so let's just leave it that way!' Wow if I need a contractor for my future mansion in the Hills I will make sure to hire those guys!

I am honestly wondering is this is a real onstruction flaws or just the effects of an economy that is getting worst by the hour!?

THE RYUGYONG HOTEL IS BACK ... AFTER 16 YEARS BREAK

WELCOME TO PYONGYANG. Pay no attention to that enormous, unfinished 330 meters pyramid you see over there!

The Ryugyong Hotel is much like the North Korean regime itself: it’s monolithic, unstable, and menacing. Construction began in 1987 and ceased in 1992, due to the government's financial difficulties. The unfinished hotel remained untouched until April 2008, when construction resumed after being inactive for 16 years.



It is currently the world's 24th tallest building.

In September 2008, a senior North Korean official said the refurbishing of the Ryugyong Hotel will be done by 2012 - the 100th anniversary of the birth of Kim Il Sung. At the same time, an Orascom company official said the goal of the project was to at least give the structure's facade a facelift and make it more attractive. Thanx Connor for the info.

IMAGES OF THE FIRST PARIS SKYSCRAPER

Swiss architecture agency Herzog & De Meuron shows their project of a high rise building for the Porte de Versailles in Paris.

The 50-storey pyramid-like rising 180 meters would be the first skyscraper to be built inside Paris in 30 years, after the Montparnasse tower, Paris mayor Bertrand Delanoe unveiled the project during a press conference today.

The privately-financed building is expected to contain offices looking outward and a luxury hotel looking towards the city centre. There are also plans for luxury boutiques, a panoramic restaurant, a swimming pool, hanging gardens and a Babel-like "museum of languages of the world".

The tower is cheduled for completion by 2012.

'DARLING TOWERS' TO RISE IN L.A. AND N.Y.C

The Darling Tower may speak to you if you are familiar with ABC's hit show Dirty Sexy Money. ABC is promoting the upcoming season of Dirty Sexy Money by “building” Darling Tower in both LA (Olympic and La Cienega) and NYC (2nd Ave. and 30th St.).

Personally I think it is a very smart marketing move unfortunately those towers will never rise, I think that would be a fantastic idea ... come on, don't tell me you never wanted to move into 'Melrose Place' if it was not just a movie set !?

ABC marketing chief Mike Benson said the strategy is meant to add some supplemental buzz to a larger and more direct campaign for the sophomore drama.

Promotion aside, it would be great to see projects like this developing (for real) Imagine if you could move in to Wisteria Lane ;-)

+ Darling Tower

MY NEW ADDRESS! 123 WASHINGTON STREET

The 56-story tower will have 220 hotel rooms and 180 residential condominium apartments. The future W Hotel and condominium is expected to open in October 2009. I want to own a piece of it !!! This amazing residence is located 123 Washington Street on one of the most expensive and magic island in the world, Manhattan. This address will be home between floor 6 and 22 of a W hotel (perfect when your mother in law will come to visit you). Between floor 23 and 30 the W furnished residences, a pied-a-terre ready to move in. Between floor 33 and 56 ... one of my future condo preferably on floor 56 for the best view!

The residential entrance, cosy, stylish modern, simple, welcoming ... it will make you forget that you don't actually live in the lobby.

The outdoor plaza is nice but hey ... I am a roof top guy, I like to seep my champagne looking at the stars sitting by a fireplace listening some lounge music. Simple things ....

Now let's visit my future condo will you ...

I love cooking so this kitchen will be perfect for me and my friends, a good glass of wine to enjoy and celebrate the sunset ... isn't that great a good excuse to drink every night ... the sunset!

Once your done drinking and your friends have left, you can retreat and relax in your bedroom looking at the city light, even if all this as a pricy price think of the savings you will make on curtains .... because at 123 Washington Street all you'll want to do is enjoy the fantastic views. Time to rise and shine in your ultra modern bathroom and get your ass to work otherwise you will never be able to afford this Manhattan jewel ;-)

+ 123 Washington Street
+ Google Map

BURJ DUBAI KEEPS ON RISING

Almost there ...

ROOFTOP GARDENS IN MANHATTAN

Those are the most hidden and exclusives places in New York City. It is the ultimate luxury in the most expensive city in America. We invite you to a voyeur bird's eye view on some of New York City rooftop gardens + Source

If like me you can't afford a condo in Manhattan with a rooftop garden, maybe we can start saving some pennies and treat us with a night or two at the Hotel Gansevoort famous for having a rooftop pool in the heart of Manhattan. This pool was featured in one of the episodes of Sex & The City.