UK firms start work on Vietnam's tallest building

(VNF)- British architecture companies Atkins and Arup have begun work on a 460-metre skyscraper in HCM City, which will become Vietnam's tallest skyscraper on completion in 2017.

The 81-storey Vincom Landmark 81 will be located on the bank of the Saigon River in Vinhomes Central Park.

Atkins' brief comprises building and landscape design.

To have a modern and unique design that highlights the persity and bustling development of HCM City, the mixed-use development would boast a hotel, serviced apartments, and luxury retail space.

The 81-storey Vincom Landmark 81 will be located on the bank of the Sai Gon River in Vinhomes Central Park. (Source: vinhomes.vn)

Arup, which was first catapulted to global attention with the structural design of the Sydney Opera House, will be in charge of the construction.

"This project marks a significant progress for Atkins in Vietnam and reinforces our track record in landmark projects on a global scale," Bertil de Kleynen, Asia Pacific director of architecture and landscape for Atkins, told Dezeen magazine.

Construction began last December.

The tower, which belongs to giant property developer Vingroup, will surpass the height of global landmark structures including Kuala Lumpur's Petronas Towers.

On July 17, Vingroup, Vietnam’s leading realty conglomerate, and Atkins closed a strategic partnership agreement, which De Kleynen said brings the British firm “more opportunities to cooperate beyond this project.”

“We are extremely proud to assist our client Vingroup… in developing international standards and creating landmarks that will be viewed as part of a modern and integrated Vietnam,” he said.

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s commercial and financial hub, is undergoing a construction boom, with a number of high-rises already built, or scheduled to be erected there.

The city’s current iconic building is the 68-story Bitexco Financial Tower./.

by VNF