The twisting form
A curve visible across the city.
Zairon — CC BY 4.0 · irvin calicut — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Aziz J.Hayat — CC BY 2.0 · Ghala Alrefaei — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Ghala Alrefaei — CC BY-SA 3.0
Al Hamra Tower is the tallest building in Kuwait, rising 414 m in central Kuwait City and billed as the world's tallest curved concrete skyscraper. Its twisting form can be seen from much of the city and the Gulf. It holds offices, shops and a restaurant, so it is more a landmark to see from outside than a place to visit. Construction began in 2005 and finished in 2011, to a design by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill with Ramshir and Callison. Time magazine named it among the best inventions of 2011, the year it also won the Emporis Skyscraper Award. Sources rank it around 40th among the world's tallest buildings. Its curving shape comes from a slice taken from each floor on the south side, which is faced with Jura limestone to reduce sun exposure, while glass wraps the other sides. Flared walls run from the two south corners up the full height, and at the base is a column-free lobby 24 m tall. The best views come from Arabian Gulf Street and Al Shaheed Park, especially at sunset or after dark. We know of no public viewing deck on the upper floors. The tower is 1.1 km from Al Shaheed Park, 1.5 km from Kuwait Towers and 2 km from Souq Al-Mubarakiya in a straight line, so it fits easily into a walk around the centre. It houses embassies and offices, so some areas may have security limits, and it is best to stick to public spaces when taking photos.
A curve visible across the city.
Limestone that limits the sun.
24 m tall with no columns.
Al Shuhada Street, Sharq, Kuwait City
Al Shaheed ParkThe largest public park in central Kuwait City, its first phase opened in 2015 a13 minutes walk4.5
Kuwait TowersKuwait's best-known symbol, three elegant towers on a spit reaching into the Ara19 minutes walk4.4
Grand MosqueKuwait's largest mosque and one of the most beautiful in the Gulf, opened in 19822 minutes walk4.9We know of no public viewing deck, as the upper floors are offices. The view from outside, from Arabian Gulf Street or Al Shaheed Park, is the draw.
A slice is removed from each floor in steps on the south side, so the tower seems to turn on itself as it rises.