(1 Nov 2012)
Russia - Mercury City helps Moscow reclaim Europe's tallest building
Story No.: 865144
AP TELEVISION
Moscow - 1 Nov 2012
1. Wide of Moscow City complex of skyscrapers, from across river
2. Mid of of Mercury City tower, tilt up to top floors still under construction
3. Mid pan of Moscow City skyscrapers, ends on Mercury City
4. Close up of glass wall of Mercury City tower with reflection of Moscow City complex
5. Wide of window view from 33th floor of Mercury City tower, White House (Russian government building) beyond river
STORYLINE:
Moscow has reclaimed the bragging rights for having Europe's tallest building after losing the distinction for a few months to London.
The mixed office and residential tower called Mercury City has topped out at 338 metres (1,109 feet), officials of its development company said November 1st.
Igor Kesayev, president of Mercury group of companies and one of the richest men of Russia, is very proud of the achievement.
"Of course, we are very proud (that this building is the tallest in Europe) because in the beginning we wanted to construct a building of the best quality which would be really notable and become a decoration for our capital. I think we have succeeded."
The tower, sheathed in copper-coloured glass, actually became Europe's tallest in September while still under construction, when it exceeded London's 310-metre (1,017-foot) Shard, according to the construction information company Emporis.
Mercury City's reign is likely to be almost as short.
It's next-door to the under-construction Federation Tower, which is set to reach 506 metres (1,660 feet) when it's completed in 2013.
Both are in a sprawling development called Moscow City that also holds two other buildings that once were Europe's tallest.
The the Mercury City project was developed by architect Mikhail Posokhin in cooperation with the American architect Frank Williams (who died in 2010).
"The concept was that the building, despite its height, volume and location among other similar buildings, be ambitious and really different from others," says Posokhin.
The copper coloured facade and unique form is intended to distinguish the building from its neighbours while retaining some of the architectural traditions of Moscow.
But competing with European countries for tallest building is playing in the minor leagues.
There are nearly 60 buildings in North America, Asia and the Middle East that are taller, topped by Dubai's Burj Khalifa, about 2.5 times taller than Mercury city at 828 metres (2,717 feet).
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