Sky is the Limit

The Manhattan skyline is the icon of a modern city and when the tall structures began to sprout at the beginning of the 20th century, it became the symbol of New York and made skyscrapers romantic. Since, many cities have followed, Malaysia, Singapore and Dubai standout for the lavishly modern skyline. Colombo may have a long way to go before its skyline is defined, but with four of the cities tallest buildings (as it currently stands), still under construction, it is definitely on route to be a skyscraper city. Here is an impression of the top five skyscrapers in Sri Lanka by height. Many more are in the works and will begin to dot the skyline over the next five years. *(assuming each floor is 12 feet)

1. Lotus Tower

Height:300 meters*
Cost: $104 mn
Primary use: Communication Tower
Other features: 1000 seat auditorium and luxury hotel. Possibly South Asia’s tallest structure

2. Krrish Square

Height: Over 300 meters*
No of floors: 85
Cost: $460 mn
Primary use: Hotel/ Apartment
Other features: office space and shopping mall. Will preserve Transworks House building

3. Altair

Height: About 250 meters*
No of floors: 68
Cost: NA
Primary use: Apartment
Other features: 57th floor infinity pool, observation deck and restaurant

4. Hyatt Regency

Height: 170 meters
No of floors: 45
Cost: $150 mn (estimate)
Primary use: Hotel and serviced apartments
Other features: 7500 square feet ballroom (possibly the largest within a local hotel)

5. WTC
Sri Lanka’s tallest structure since 1996
Height: 152 meters
No of floors: 40
Cost: $130mn (1996 prices)
Primary use: Commercial
Other features: Home to the Colombo Stock Exchange