Prestigious skyscraper catches a tilt. San Francisco’s Millennium Tower, sarcastically called the “crooked tower,” was supposed to be a symbol of luxury and prestige. When its construction was completed in 2009, the 58-story skyscraper impressed with its modernity and exclusivity. More than 400 luxury apartments, inhabited by sports stars or influential Silicon Valley businessmen, was sold in a flash. The Millennium Tower was supposed to be a prestigious landmark of the city. However, it quickly became apparent that there were serious problems behind the luxury. The luxury skyscraper is San Francisco’s leaning tower. Can you imagine a bigger architectural misfire?
The Leaning Tower of San Francisco – what went wrong?
In 2016, the Millennium Tower was found to be settling and tilting in an alarming manner. It was initially reported that the building had settled by 40 cm in the soft ground on which it was erected. At the time, the skyscraper’s tilt was 7.5 cm per year. However, despite attempts at repair, the situation only got worse. Today the skyscraper tilts by a total of 66 cm. Residents who have invested millions of dollars in luxury apartments are losing patience. Interestingly, some compare the Millennium Tower to the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, although the latter has a much more long and unique history – unlike the skyscraper in San Francisco, where people live.
Why did this happen?
Millennium Tower was built on sinuous, soft ground. This proved to be the main cause of the problems. The skyscraper does not have foundations that extend to bedrock, which in areas like San Francisco, known for unstable soils, is the basis for stability. In the end, construction costs totaled more than $350 million, but were key structural solutions saved?
Despite spending another $100 million to strengthen the foundation, attempts to save the building are yielding meager results. Interestingly, engineers report that work to repair the skyscraper has only exacerbated the problem. San Francisco’s crooked tower continues to tilt another centimeter. At this rate, will the Millennium Tower become a hazard in a few years? It has been suggested that if it does, the elevators and sewer system may stop working. It’s hard to have exclusivity and luxury when the toilet doesn’t work.
How can a skyscraper of such prestige fail?
Certainly, the Millennium Tower is not the only case in which ambitious plans turned into a disaster. The history of architecture is not short of similar examples. One of them is the Vdara Hotel in Las Vegas, whose facade reflected the sun’s rays in such a way that it contributed to…. burning the skin of guests using the pool! Architectural mistakes happen even in the most luxurious developments. In the case of San Francisco’s crooked tower, however, the problem lies in the deeper foundations – or rather, in their absence.
Investments, or the paradox of the crooked tower in San Francisco
Millennium Tower is an example that even in the most prestigious locations and projects may face serious problems. Will developers learn from this lesson? Or will the real estate market continue to attract people who will take the risk to live in such an exclusive – albeit skewed – place?
The Millennium Tower is a perfect example of how luxury investments can turn into a source of trouble. Despite its not inconsiderable problems, the building continues to function and attracts the attention not only of architects, but also of tourists who gaze with curiosity at San Francisco’s “crooked tower.” How much longer will this colossus tilt before it becomes completely useless?
Luxury News Editor
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Source: theguardian.com
