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Back to Design and Architecture

Design and Architecture

Will the Mile-High Tower Become a Reality?

Nearly 60 years ago, Frank Lloyd Wright designed a 528 story high tower called The Illinois to be built in Chicago.That was a dream. But now a kilometer-high tower is going up in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, topping the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, which stands at over a half mile. Engineers say Wright’s dream is now technically possible. But do we need it?

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By Frances Anderton • Apr 7, 2015 • 1 min read

Nearly 60 years ago, Frank Lloyd Wright designed a 528 story high tower called The Illinois to be built in Chicago.That was a dream. But now a kilometer-high tower is going up in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, topping the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, which stands at over a half mile. Engineers say Wright’s dream is now technically possible. But do we need it?

Justin Davidson is an architecture and classical music critic for New York Magazine and he recently wrote a provocative piece called The Rise of The Mile-High Building.

  • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

    Frances Anderton

    architecture critic and author

  • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

    Frances Anderton

    architecture critic and author

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    Caroline Chamberlain

    KUOW

    Culture
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