Welcome to the exciting world of construction in 2023! The past year has already been filled with awe-inspiring feats such as underwater roundabouts, record-breaking bridges, and an innovative theatre with a literal roof-raising design. And yet, the construction industry is set to push the boundaries even further with the completion of several ambitious projects this year. From towering skyscrapers in the heart of the desert to Formula One tracks that will leave you breathless, and entire new city districts that will transform the urban landscape, 2023 promises to be a year of jaw-dropping achievements.
So, without further ado, let’s take a look at 10 of the most exciting construction projects that will be completed this year.
Top 10 Projects That Will Change the Game in 2023
1. Tokyo Toranomon-Azabudai District Project
As we embark on our journey through the most exciting construction projects completing in 2023, let’s start with the bustling metropolis of Tokyo, where a massive new super development is emerging from the concrete jungle.
The Toranomon-Azabudai District is a revolutionary project located in the bustling business area of Minato, designed to create a self-contained city within a city. Comprised of three enormous mixed-use towers and a public space landscaped by Thomas Heatherwick, this ambitious projects promises to transform the urban landscape.
In 2022, the district’s main tower, aptly named “The Main Tower,” topped out at an impressive height of 325 meters, making it Japan’s tallest building and Tokyo’s first supertall skyscraper. Unlike typical skyscrapers, the building’s design boasts a massive floor plate for most of its height, providing a unique architectural expression.
In anticipation of Tokyo’s seismic activity, the structure is designed to withstand even a magnitude nine earthquake and serve as a safe haven for its occupants. With the district set to open in 2023, its developer Mori is aiming to provide residents and workers with a harmonious neighborhood of high-rise buildings and low-level parks, complete with an undulating pergola that creates hidden gardens and sunken courtyards.
2. Kuala Lumpur Tun Razak Exchange Projects
Let’s turn our attention to Malaysia, where an ambitious plan was set forth by the government in 2010 to transform the nation into a high-income country by 2020. While the deadline has passed, the plan’s flagship projects, the Tun Razak Exchange, Malaysia’s first dedicated international financial hub, remains a major focal point.
Inspired by the success of similar developments in London, Shanghai, and Singapore, the Tun Razak Exchange is a sprawling 70-acre district featuring 2.5 million square feet of office space, a 2 million square foot mall, and nearly 4,000 homes. Despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic and Malaysia’s strict movement control order, the Exchange 106, Southeast Asia’s tallest building, was completed in 2022.
Now, the projects is set to take another step forward in 2023 with the completion of The Core and TRX Residences, two massive residential blocks, and The Exchange TRX, a luxury shopping mall and lifestyle hub. These new additions are sure to solidify the Tun Razak Exchange’s position as a major financial and commercial center in the region.
3. Egyptian Desert Iconic Tower Project
Egypt has a long history of impressive megaprojects, and the Iconic Tower is no exception. With a height of 393 meters, this supertall skyscraper is not only Africa’s tallest building, but also the centerpiece of Egypt’s New Administrative Capital business district.
The tower, which began construction in 2019 and topped out in 2021, is just one f 20 proposed skyscrapers in the district that will be built at a cost of approximately USD $3 billion. This ambitious projects aims to address the chronic overcrowding that has plagued Cairo for decades by creating a new city in the desert.
When the Iconic Tower opens in 2023, it is expected to house a wide range of commercial and residential spaces, and will undoubtedly become a symbol of Egypt’s commitment to bold, forward-thinking urban development.
4. Melbourne
Looking for a way to make skyscrapers stand out? How about building a skybridge that joins not one, but two shiny new towers? That’s exactly what’s been done at 308 Exhibition Street in Melbourne, where a gold-trimmed skybridge now connects a residential tower with a hotel tower at the 46th floor.
This elaborate skybridge is not just for show either – it’s designed to provide stability to the two towers during seismic tremors and strong winds. The bridge is fitted with a movement joint on one side, allowing it to flex and prevent damage to the towers.
Building this impressive skybridge was no easy feat. Initially, a cantilever from the shorter of the two buildings was used to lay out a plywood deck. Steel tendons were then fitted between the two towers, and a concrete slab was poured. Finally, a roof was added between the towers to create the effect of a ribbon wrapping around one floor of the apartment building and two floors of the hotel.
The end result is not only a stunning architectural feature, but also a testament to engineering prowess. The skybridge is just one part of the impressive 308 Exhibition Street development, which boasts a total of 70 floors and a height of 322 metres. The residential tower alone contains 1,105 apartments, while the hotel tower offers 312 rooms.
With a total floor area of 242,000 square metres, the development is one of the largest in Melbourne’s central business district. When completed in 2023, the 308 Exhibition Street development is set to become a new landmark on the Melbourne skyline.
5. Four Frankfurt Project
Europe is not usually the first place that comes to mind when you think of skyscrapers, but Frankfurt is an exception. Four Frankfurt is a new development consisting of four towers located between the historic centre and financial district of Frankfurt.
The development will feature mixed-use facilities including offices, a hotel, and residential apartments. Each of the towers has a unique design, turning away from the others at strategic points to maximize sunlight and views. This presented challenges in the construction of the concrete cores, which had to be constructed differently for each tower due to variations in the placement of toilets, drainage pipes, and columns.
Despite this complexity, the projects remains on schedule to be completed in 2023. Once completed, the development will offer a total of 215,000 square meters of space and reach heights of up to 228 meters.
6. Yucatan Peninsula
Looking beyond towering skyscrapers and towards more grounded infrastructure, there are some significant projects set to be completed in 2023. While large-scale developments often yield substantial benefits, they can also generate significant controversy.
One example of this is the Tren Maya projects in Mexico. Let’s start with the advantages. Since the 1970s, Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula has been a popular tourist destination, known for its picturesque coastal cities and remarkable Mayan archaeological sites like the renowned Chichen Itza. However, reaching these sites can be difficult, with arduous bus journeys along poorly maintained roads.
The solution is Tren Maya, a 1,500-kilometer railway costing $10 billion, designed to link major tourist sites with coastal cities and airports. It’s an excellent way to expand a vital sector of Mexico’s economy. Nevertheless, the train’s path runs through heavily disputed jungle terrain, causing significant legal battles and delays.
Despite these challenges, the project is set to open in December 2023, with its economic benefits likely to outweigh any concerns about its cost. Nonetheless, the controversy surrounding its construction is sure to persist for some time to come.
7. Las Vegas Formula One Grand Prix Projects
In November 2023, Las Vegas will host its first-ever Formula One Grand Prix, featuring some of the fastest cars in the world racing down the city’s iconic strip. The 6.12-kilometer track will have 17 corners, a chicane, and three high-speed straights that will allow drivers to reach speeds of up to 212 miles per hour.
With experience in the world of Formula One, The Build Bright knows that hosting such an event in a highly built-up area such as Las Vegas is no small feat. Safety is of utmost importance, and construction crews have a crucial job to ensure the high-speed action remains on the track.
To this end, over 4,000 concrete barriers are being constructed, each containing over three and a half tonnes of reinforced concrete. These barriers will help keep the race cars within the designated track and prevent any accidents. While traffic in Las Vegas can be challenging, the Formula One event is set to provide a much-needed boost to the local economy and tourism industry.
The Formula One race is expected to attract thousands of visitors, generating significant revenue for local businesses such as hotels, restaurants, and retailers. According to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, the event is expected to generate an estimated economic impact of around $90 million for the city.
8. Las Vegas MSG Sphere Projects
While the Grand Prix may be a new addition, Las Vegas has been known for its eye-catching constructions for almost a century. The city boasts of world-firsts and replica buildings such as the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Eiffel Tower, ancient Rome, downtown Manhattan, and Venice.
The latest addition to this impressive list is the MSG Sphere, a next-generation immersive cinema set to open in 2023. The massive structure, which stands over 100 meters tall and almost 160 meters wide, is the largest spherical building on earth.
Made up of four concrete cores tied together with reinforced steel and tensioned ring beams, the sphere’s 11,000-tonne roof supports a curved cinema screen with a resolution of 19,000 x 13,500 pixels. However, the construction process has not been without its challenges, including supply chain issues and inflation, which have led to a ballooning cost of nearly $2.2BN. Only time will tell if this gamble pays off.
9. Abu Dubai SeaWorld Projects
Las Vegas has long been known as a hub of outrageous construction, but the UAE has been working hard to catch up, with an impressive array of feats that rival the Strip’s most eye-catching creations. In fact, the country already boasts several world records, including the tallest building and the deepest pool.
And now, in 2023, it will add yet another record to the list: the world’s largest aquarium. The forthcoming SeaWorld Abu Dhabi will house a stunning 58 million liters of artificial ocean, viewable through the awe-inspiring Endless Vista, a 20-meter-tall window that spans multiple levels.
Of course, keeping the aquarium’s marine life healthy and thriving requires careful attention to detail, including just the right amount of natural light to strike the balance between growth and maintenance. And to build a tank that large, the designers opted for acrylic, a highly durable and flexible material that can be molded into any shape necessary.
So, whether you’re a lover of marine life or just a curious visitor, you can rest assured that your trip to the aquarium will be a safe and stunning experience, without any rogue sharks or other unexpected surprises.
10 Paris Aquatics Centre Projects
Of course, no discussion of monumental construction would be complete without a nod to the Olympics, one of the most prestigious and costly sporting events a nation can host. Historically, host cities have sought to impress with grandiose construction projects and wide-scale urban development, but in recent years, such moves have been criticized for creating white elephants – empty stadiums and other structures that serve little purpose after the games have ended.
However, the Paris 2024 Olympics promises to be different, with a focus on sustainability that puts the environment first. Take the Aquatics Centre, for instance, set to be completed in 2023. It’s the only permanent structure being built for the games, and it’s being carefully designed with energy use in mind.
The roof, for instance, is being constructed at the minimum permitted height to maintain sight lines from the stands, but also to create a smaller space that requires less heating. And, with 90% of the building’s energy needs being met by renewable or recovered sources – a quarter of which comes from the roof alone – this is one construction projects that’s truly making a splash.
So, as we continue to push the limits of what’s possible in the world of construction, let’s remember to do so in a way that’s kinder to the planet we call home.
Related Article: China’s Planetarium – Largest Planetarium in the World – Shanghai Astronomy Museum
Conclusion
It’s truly amazing to see what the construction industry is capable of achieving, from the mind-bendingly complex to the jaw-droppingly impressive. And with projects like the Grand Prix circuit, the MSG Sphere, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi’s massive aquarium, and the Aquatics Centre for the Paris 2024 Olympics on the horizon, it’s clear that we’re only scratching the surface of what’s possible.
Of course, as we continue to push the boundaries of construction, we must also keep sustainability at the forefront of our minds, and it’s heartening to see that some of these new projects are doing just that. If you’re as excited as we are to see what’s coming next Must Subscribe to Build Bright YouTube Channel.
