Aspire Tower

{{For|the proposed skyscraper in Parramatta, Australia|Aspire Parramatta}}

{{Distinguish|text= the Aspire sculpture in Nottingham, England}}

{{Infobox building

| name = Aspire Tower

| native_name =

| native_name_lang =

| former_name =

| image = Architektur-Drahtgewebe.jpg

| image_size = 250px

| caption = The Aspire Tower in two views

| groundbreaking_date =

| start_date = September 9, 2005

| topped_out_date =

| highest_start =

| highest_end =

| highest_prev =

| highest_next =

| completion_date = May 22, 2007

| opening = May 30, 2007

| cost = {{€|133,395,000}}

| owner = Ministry of Sports and Youth (Qatar)

| landlord = Aspire Zone

| building_type = Skyscraper
Hotel

| architectural_style = Modern architecture

| address = Aspire Zone Road, Al Waab Street, Doha, Qatar

| coordinates = {{coord|25|15|44.9|N|51|26|41.4|E|region:QA|display=inline,title}}

| map_type = Qatar Doha

| map_size = 250

| tip = {{convert|300|m|ft|abbr=on}}

| roof = {{convert|300|m|ft|abbr=on}}

| top_floor = {{convert|238|m|ft|abbr=on}}

| observatory = {{convert|238|m|ft|abbr=on}}{{cite web |url=http://skyscrapercenter.com/doha/aspire-tower/ |title=Aspire Tower - The Skyscraper Center |work=Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat |access-date=2012-05-03 |archive-date=2014-06-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606085900/http://skyscrapercenter.com/doha/aspire-tower |url-status=dead }}

| floor_area = {{convert|35000|m2|sqft|abbr=on}}

| floor_count = 36{{cite web |title=Aspire Tower |url=https://www.skyscrapercenter.com/building/aspire-tower/535 |website=Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat |access-date=27 September 2023}}

| elevator_count = 17

| architect = Hadi Simaan
AREP

| structural_engineer = Arup
Buro Happold

| main_contractor = Midmac Contracting
Buro Happold
Swissboring

| website = {{URL|http://www.thetorchdoha.com/default-en.html|TheTorchDoha.com}}

| references =

}}

Aspire Tower, also known as The Torch Doha, is a {{convert|300|m|ft|adj=mid|-tall}} skyscraper hotel located in the Aspire Zone complex in Doha, Qatar. Designed by architect Hadi Simaan and AREP and engineer Ove Arup and Partners,{{cite web |url=http://www.hadisimaan.com/hospitality/sports_city_tower_doha_qatar/main_picture.html# |title=Sports City Tower, Doha, Qatar |publisher=Hadi Simaan |access-date=2011-01-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002114802/http://www.hadisimaan.com/hospitality/sports_city_tower_doha_qatar/main_picture.html |archive-date=2011-10-02 |url-status=dead }} the tower served as the focal point for the 15th Asian Games hosted by Qatar in December 2006.

The tower is currently the second tallest structure and building in Doha and Qatar. In 2023, it was surpassed by the Lusail Plaza Towers. The tower has also been known as Khalifa Sports Tower or Doha Olympic Tower.

Construction and use

File:Torch tower, Aspire Park, Doha - panoramio (2).jpg

The tower was a landmark of the 2006 Asian Games due to its size and proximity to the main venue, the Khalifa International Stadium. Construction began in April 2005.

The final form consists of a 1-to-1.8-metre-thick, reinforced-concrete cylinder (the core), varying from 12 to 18 metres in diameter, encircled with radiating networks of cantilevered steel beams on each floor of its building modules. The modules themselves are composed of steel columns, metal decking, concrete slabs and outer tension and compression ring beams, which support glass-paneled outer walls. The bottom of each module is covered with glass fiber reinforced concrete. Beams, as well as steel struts tying all the structural components together, are bolted through the concrete core and hence are anchored into place, transferring vertical loads from perimeter columns and ring beams to the core.{{cite web|url=http://archrecord.construction.com/projects/BTS/archives/tallbuildings/08_SCT/default.asp |title=Sports City Tower| Building Types Study | Architectural Record |publisher=Archrecord.construction.com |access-date=2011-01-11}}

The façade consists of an energy-efficient glass skin, and helps efficiently maintain comfortable temperature levels in the desert climate.

The building was constructed by companies Midmac and BESIX subsidiary Six Construct{{Cite web|title=Light and fast construction: ArcelorMittal steel solutions for Doha Aspire Tower|url=https://constructalia.arcelormittal.com/en/case_study_gallery/qatar/light_and_fast_construction_for_aspire_tower|access-date=2021-01-14|website=constructalia.arcelormittal.com}} and was completed in November 2007 at a final cost of {{€|133,395,000}}.

Occupancy

The tower houses a five-star hotel, a sports museum, a health club with a cantilevered swimming pool, a revolving restaurant, and an observation deck. Landmark of Qatari Hospitality,5 Star Luxury Hotel,163 Room & Suites Flying Carpet Restaurant, Three Sixty Revolving Restaurant; also served as a giant torch for the 15th Asian Games.

Pool

The Tower features a Swimming pool 80 meters (260 feet) above ground that is cantilevered from the core, and extends out 12 meters (39 feet) from the facade. Elliptical in plan, the pool is supported on a substantial steel truss structure some 4 meters (13 feet) deep.

LED and 360 Screen

LED technology installed across the front allows the creation of effects; each LED is individually controllable in all colors. The largest external 360 screen measured 11,345 m² (112,116 ft² 81 in²), and was achieved by Sports City Advertising Qatar, in Doha, Qatar on 31 May 2022. Sports City Advertising attempted this record to showcase the Torch Building that has the screen all around it. The Torch Tower has a new record for tallest external 360 degree screen set up which is recorded in Guinness.

References

External links

{{CTBUH|535}}
[https://web.archive.org/web/20070223052248/http://www.hadisimaan.com/ Hadi Simaan website]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20170608211559/http://www.thetorchdoha.com/contactus-en.html The Torch Doha]
{{SkyscraperPage|44729}}
[http://www.constructalia.com/en_EN/gallery/galeria_detalle.jsp?idProyec=3822346 The Aspire Tower: a case study on Constructalia] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708231120/http://www.constructalia.com/en_EN/gallery/galeria_detalle.jsp?idProyec=3822346 |date=2011-07-08 }}
[https://web.archive.org/web/20090809041630/http://www.weavingideas.com/en/applications-products/architecture/projects/singleview/seiten/0/mode/1/hsref/aspire-tower.html Haver & Boecker - Information about the tower]
{{Cite web |url=https://www.emporis.com/buildings/286515 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190814181453/https://www.emporis.com/buildings/286515 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=August 14, 2019 |title=Emporis building ID 286515 |work=Emporis}}