by Brianna Crandall — December 17, 2012—The results of the 2011 Emporis Skyscraper Award are now in: 8 Spruce Street in New York City is the winner of this prominent, 12th annual architecture prize for new skyscrapers. Every year, Emporis’ expert international jury recognizes ten skyscrapers that are at least 100 meters tall and completed in the previous calendar year, as showcasing outstanding design and functionality. The winners were chosen from over 220 skyscrapers completed in 2011. Emporis is a global provider of information about building and construction projects, based in Germany.
The first skyscraper by renowned architect Frank Gehry, 8 Spruce Street won over the jury with its magnificent undulating stainless steel façade, says Emporis. Also known as “The Beekman” or “New York by Gehry,” the building totals 1.1 million square feet and is currently considered the tallest residential building in the Western Hemisphere. Consisting mainly of 903 rental apartments, it also houses a school, a hospital care facility and retail space, plus parking. Commenting on the choice, the jury said, “8 Spruce Street stands out even in Manhattan’s already remarkable skyline. It is a major new architectural landmark for New York.”
The sculptured form of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill’s Al Hamra Tower earned it second place in the ranking. Despite its great height, the skyscraper fits harmoniously into Kuwait City’s urban landscape, says Emporis. Primarily a commercial office building, the tower is engineered to take account of climate conditions: the south façade, with limestone elements cladding a concrete wall, protects the building from the searing desert sun and impressed the jury from both architectural and functional points of view.
DBI Design’s Etihad Towers were voted into third place, the jury praising the complex as a particularly harmonious ensemble of buildings. Critical to the decision were the soft, curving contours of the towers: these suggest the shape of sails and are intended to evoke Abu Dhabi’s history as a port, notes Emporis. The jury of experts also singled out the exceptional façade of silver and blue glass. The mixed-use facility consists of three residential towers, one office tower and a hotel tower, with four underground parking garages.
The Emporis Skyscraper Award 2011—Top 10 are:
- 1. 8 Spruce Street, New York City, NY, USA; 265.18 meters tall; 76 floors
- 2. Al Hamra Tower, Kuwait City, Kuwait; 412 m; 80 floors
- 3. Etihad Towers, Abu Dhabi, UAE; 217.5-305.3 m; 56-79 floors
- 4. KK100, Shenzhen, China; 441.8 m; 100 floors
- 4. Victoria Tower, Stockholm, Sweden; 117.6 m; 34 floors
- 4. Great American Tower, Cincinnati, OH, USA; 202.69 m; 41 floors
- 7. F&F Tower, Panama City, Panama; 242.9 m; 52 floors
- 8. Northeast Asia Trade Tower, Incheon, South Korea; 308 m; 68 floors
- 8. Reflections at Keppel Bay, Singapore; 120-178 m; 24-41 floors
- 10. Tianjin Global Financial Center, Tianjin, China; 336.9 m; 72 floors
The 8 Spruce Street high-rise is now the third New York tower to win the Emporis Skyscraper Award. The very first award (2000) went to Sofitel New York Hotel, while Hearst Tower won the coveted architecture prize for 2006. Buildings in New York City have won the Emporis Skyscraper Award more often than in any other city, notes Emporis.
