Construction Begins on Alatau City's First Skyscraper Complex, Worth Over $800 Million
Construction has begun on the first skyscraper in Alatau City. The Iconic Complex multifunctional development will feature two towers, a hotel, a shopping centre and office space. According to Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev, investment in the project will exceed $800 million. Construction is scheduled for completion by the end of 2029, reports a 24KZ correspondent.
Alatau City is being developed as a national project. The concept for Iconic Complex was presented to the President on 2 June during Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s working visit to Almaty Region. The project has now entered the construction phase. Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev attended the groundbreaking ceremony. He highlighted the scale of the development and stressed the importance of construction quality, seismic safety and energy efficiency.
Kanat Bozumbayev, Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan:
- I believe this building could eventually become a symbol not only of Alatau City but of Kazakhstan as a whole. We have brought in leading international architecture firms for the project. They will monitor quality and be accountable for the results. If anything goes wrong, they will be held responsible and face substantial fines. This is standard practice around the world. We also plan to introduce new requirements, which are expected to be approved within the next couple of months.
The complex’s main tower will stand 272 metres tall. Its 58 floors will accommodate a hotel, a swimming pool, shopping facilities and A+ class offices. A second, pyramid-shaped tower, standing 78 metres tall, will be built nearby. Total investment in the project will exceed $800 million. Completion is planned for the end of 2029. In the future, a metro line or light rail transit (LRT) connection could be extended to the complex. The Government plans to make a final decision on this issue in January. China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) is the general contractor, while the architectural concept was developed by US-based specialists.
Gao Bao, Chairman of the Board of Directors of CSCEC International (China):
- Today, we are starting work on one of the key projects for Alatau City. This is a major and exciting milestone for us. I would like to thank Kazakhstan’s leadership for its support and trust. There is a great deal of work ahead. Our company has built multifunctional complexes in more than 100 countries. We have extensive experience, and I am confident that we will successfully deliver this project together.
Gabriele Pascolini, Head of the European Division of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill:
- One of the tallest modern buildings in Kazakhstan will be built here. In developing the project, we are paying particular attention to seismic safety and the building’s environmental impact. This is especially important because the complex will be located at the foothills of the Trans-Ili Alatau. Our team has worked on major projects such as the Burj Khalifa and Freedom Tower. We are bringing in experienced engineers and specialists with expertise in complex structures.
Iconic Complex will form part of Alatau City’s wider development plan. The city’s investment portfolio currently includes 67 projects worth approximately $7 billion. Their implementation is expected to create around 55,000 jobs. At the same time, the development of the new city requires upgrades to its utility and road infrastructure. Around 30 projects are currently underway in Alatau City, covering electricity supply, drinking water systems and road repairs. According to Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev, the Government has allocated more than 35 billion tenge to modernise the infrastructure.
Authors: Gulim Sovetkhan, Ayat Duisenbay
