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Glasgow Tower

The Glasgow Tower was completed in 2001 as part of the Glasgow Science Centre. At 127m it is Scotland's tallest free standing structure. The tower is unique in that it is the only building in the world capable of turning through 360 degrees.

Designed by Richard Horden Associates it was one of over 350 designs entered in a competition for a landmark structure to be built in St Enoch Square.

The viewing cabin at 105m affords fabulous views over the entire city and the surrounding area and is accessed from two express elevators that climb the exterior of the building as well as a spiral staircase inside the structure containing 523 steps.

The foundations of the tower contain over 3,000 tonnes of concrete and are 20m deep, the tower weighs almost 500 tonnes and this weight is supported on a single bearing 65cm in diameter.

The tower is rotated by 4 6Kw electric motors but can be turned manually if required.

This innovative structure has not been without its problems over the first few years of its life. One of the most severe being when 10 people were trapped in a lift for several hours in January 2005. It has also been closed on several occaisions due to problems with the bearing that the structure is supported on.

james73	Latest page update: made by james73 , Sep 18 2007, 9:14 AM EDT (about this update About This Update Edited by james73 1 word added 1 word deleted 1 image added 1 image deleted view changes - complete history)
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