Sky City: Construction Of the World's Tallest Tower Delayed Until 2014 as Costs Balloon to $855 Million

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Changsha, China’s Sky City tower is set to be the world’s tallest building at a staggering 2,739 feet – however the project just hit a bump in the road as its developer announced plans to postpone construction until April 2014. Developer Broad Sustainable Building claims that the tower can be built in just six months thanks to its unique prefabricated design, however the building was initially scheduled to be completed by the end of 2013 and costs are quickly rising.

The company hasn’t issued any specific information regarding reasons for the delay. Instead of breaking ground at the beginning of 2013, construction work on the tower started just last week. The ambitious building, initially expected to cost only $625 million, will now cost over $855 million, according to the latest estimates.

It will accommodate around 4,450 families in apartments ranging from 645 square feet to 5,000 square feet across 220 floors of residential, office and recreational space. The company claims the building will be built to withstand a Magnitude 9 earthquake.

The vertical city will have the highest urban density the world has ever seen. Compared to crowded metropolises like Hong Kong, Sky City will offer each of its residents access to open space and an array of sustainable strategies that will ensure a high quality lifestyle.