A bit of panic was created when the covering of a high-rise tower under construction near the Phloenchit BTS station was removed revealing what looked to be a leaning tower. Social media in the city was set abuzz with concerned citizens worrying that the building posed a threat, according to the Bangkok Post.
However, the Bangkok leaning tower structure, which will be home to the Rosewood Bangkok hotel, is actually supposed to look that way and is not a danger. The project’s engineer informed several media outlets that the architect designed it in this manner. It is shaped to reflect the wai, a traditional Thai greeting.
Scheduled to open in 2019, the ultra-luxury hotel is being developed by Bangkok-based RENDE Development. Rosewood Bangkok will have 159 rooms along with three restaurants and bars, a swimming pool and a fitness centre.
Most importantly, the 33-storey tower is structurally sound with both RENDE’s managing director and local authorities confirming the hotel is being built according to plans. The noticeable slope starts at the 10th floor and goes all the way up to the 33rd floor. Interiors are not impacted by the slope.
Bangkok leaning tower adds to city’s weird buildings
The Bangkok leaning tower isn’t the only unique, or dare we say odd, building design to pop up in the Thai capital recently. The aptly-named G Tower is a grade A office building shaped like the letter G. Built by developer Grand Land, it might not even be the most ambitious project the firm has planned. It is set to build The Super Tower right next to G Tower. The long, narrow tower will be the tallest building in Southeast Asia when completed.
And let’s not forget about what is currently Thailand’s tallest building. MahaNakhon, with its square prism shape that provides the distinct appearance of a rough spiral, has become a global phenomenon.
