One of the three tallest towers in South America is inaugurated

© Nicolas Saieh

© Nicolas Saieh

52 stories and almost 200 meters high, the “Titanium La Portada” tower, in operation since May, is not only one of the ten tallest skyscrapers in Latin America but it also firmly withstood the earthquake that devastated Chile last February.
Almost 4 years of work were necessary plus over US$ 120 million, but the results were literally there to see: with 52 stories and almost 200 meters in height, the “Titanium La Portada” tower was inaugurated at the beginning of May. It is one of the three tallest buildings in South America, only exceeded by the Central Park Towers of Caracas and the Colpatria Tower in Bogotá.

The skyscraper was designed by the office of Senarq, led by the architect Abraham Senerman, who is a member of the Association of Architectural Offices of Chile (AOA). Among its characteristics are its 114,500 square meters, 18 high speed elevators, four meter high floors, seven parking levels and heliport that can cater for two helicopters at a time.

"I think we have changed the physiognomy of the city”, said Senerman to local journalists, “today, this building is a veritable landmark for the whole country and it can be seen from all sides ".

The “Titanium La Portada” tower is a reflection of the sustainability that underpins Chilean contemporaneous architecture, because its design envisages the efficient use of resources and energy savings. As a matter of fact, thanks to these qualities, it was the first building in South America that was certified by the US Green Building Council in the category of LEED CS, which distinguished it as a project leader in its field.

Moreover, the skyscraper possesses a sound anti-seismic design that includes 65 piles of concrete and steel anchored 50 meters below the ground and a series of “energy dissipaters” that reduce by up to 40% any oscillation of the building in the event of an earthquake. For this reason, it did not sustain any damage whatsoever as a result of the earthquake that measured 8.8 degrees on the Richter scale and which swept over Chile last February.

The building, which will be devoted mainly to office space, is currently the highest in the Chilean capital. However, the Costanera Center is currently being built nearby and, with its 300 meters in height, will become in the coming years, the highest building in Latin America.