Tokyo Sky Tree

Tokyo Sky Tree
Computer-generated rendering
Information
Location	Sumida, Tokyo, Japan
Status	Under construction
Groundbreaking	14 July 2008
Use	Broadcast tower
Height
Antenna/Spire	634.00 m (2,080.0 ft)
Roof	470.88 m (1,544.9 ft)
Technical details
Cost	Approx. ¥40 billion
Companies
Architect	Tadao Ando
Contractor	Obayashi Corp.

The Tokyo Sky Tree (東京スカイツリー, Tōkyō Sukai Tsurī^?) (originally referred to as New Tokyo Tower) is a broadcasting tower currently under construction in Sumida, Tokyo, Japan. If completed as planned, it will be the tallest artificial structure in Japan at 634.00 m (2,080 ft) tall. The present Tokyo Tower (333 m) is not tall enough for complete digital terrestrial television broadcasting coverage since the construction of many high rise buildings in the central part of the metropolis.

The planning is being led by Tobu Railway and a group of six terrestrial broadcasters, led by public broadcaster NHK, who plan to complete construction of the tower by December 2011, planned to open to the public in Spring 2012. The completed structure will be the highlight of a massive commercial development around Oshiage Station.

Design

Tokyo Sky Tree - Silhouette & cross section. Equilateral triangle (70 m of edge span) on the ground, gradually forming circle with graceful curves similar to samurai swords, and pure circle at 320m elevation.(Drawn image)

The Tokyo Sky Tree is designed to have graceful curves similar to samurai swords and traditional Japanese buildings so that it does not detract from the surrounding scenery. The base of the tower has a structure similar to a "tripod", but from a height of about 350 m and above, the tower's structure is cylindrical to withstand very strong winds with span one leg to other on the ground level is only 70 m approximately.

The tower also has state-of-the-art seismic proofing including a central shaft (made of reinforced concrete) developed from five-tier pagodas that have withstood earthquakes for hundreds of years.

Naming

During the period from 26 October to 25 November 2007, suggestions were collected from the general public for the name to be given to the new tower. On 19 March 2008, a committee chose six final candidate names: Tokyo Edo Tower, Tokyo Sky Tree, Mirai Tree, Yume Miyagura, Rising East Tower, and Rising Tower, with the official name to be decided in a nationwide vote. It was announced on 10 June 2008 that the official name of the tower would be Tokyo Sky Tree. Tokyo Sky Tree received around 33,000 votes out of 110,000 cast, with the second most popular name being Tokyo Edo Tower. ^[1]

Construction

Under construction in September 2009

A ceremony was held on 14 July 2008, at the site to mark the start of construction.^[2] Completed three leg foundations, and start the main frame on the ground construction toward the sky on 6 April 2009. ^[3]

Altered the height from 610 m to 634 m in aiming the highest self-supporting iron tower on 16 October 2009. 6-3-4 is Mu-sa-shi in Japanese wordplay goroawase.^[4][5] Reached 200 m height 2009-11-10[1]

Current height

• See external link below.

See also

Sky City 1000

• Media related to Tokyo Sky Tree at Wikimedia Commons

Tokyo portal

References

General

Specific

External links

• Official website
• Tokyo Sky Tree construction site webcam (available Monday–Saturday 9:00–17:00 JST only) (Japanese)
• Tokyo Sky Tree, Current height, indicated with large letters NOW xxx m in left side of page (Japanese site)
• Movie: Birth of Tokyo Sky Tree (Japanese site)
• Movie: Tokyo Sky Tree / 東京スカイツリ (Under construction)

Coordinates: 35°42′41″N 139°48′48″E / 35.71139°N 139.81333°E / 35.71139; 139.81333