Belle van Zuylen Tower, Utrecht

With a height of 262 metres, the Belle van Zuylen Tower is Utrecht’s definitive new landmark. Besides ensuring as much ground-level retail space as possible, the tower’s hourglass plan provides a substantial surface area for penthouses. The space in between accommodates a vertical mix of offices, a hotel, a concert hall, a cinema, a gym with swimming pool and a generous car park. The stepped structure means there is sufficient terrace space and incidence of natural light, while the tremendous height reduces the building’s footprint considerably. In clear weather, it is visible from a distance of 50 kilometres.