Aspire Tower, also known as The Torch Doha or The Torch Tower, is a 300-metre-tall (980 ft) skyscraper hotel located in the Aspire Zone complex in Doha, Qatar. Designed by architect Hadi Simaan and AREP and engineer Ove Arup and Partners, the tower served as the focal point for the 15th Asian Games hosted by Qatar in December 2006.
The tower is currently the tallest structure and building in Doha and Qatar, but it will be surpassed by the Dubai Towers Doha and the Barwa Tower, when either project is completed. The tower has also been known as Khalifa Sports Tower or Doha Olympic Tower.
| Construction started | 2005 |
|---|---|
| Completed | 2007 |
| Cost | €133,395,000 |
| Height | |
| Architectural | 300 m (980 ft) |
| Top floor | 238 m (781 ft) |
| Observatory | 238 m (781 ft) |
| Technical details | |
| Structural system | Reinforced concrete core, steel skin |
| Floor count | 50 |
| Floor area | 35,000 m2 (380,000 sq ft) |
| Lifts/elevators | 17 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Hadi Simaan |
| Structural engineer | Arup |
| References | |
| TheTorchDoha.com | |
Construction and use
The tower was a landmark of the 2006 Asian Games due to its size and proximity to the main venue, the Khalifa International Stadium. The final form consists of a 1-to-1.8-metre-thick, reinforced-concrete cylinder (the core), varying from 12 to 18 metres in diameter, encircled with radiating networks of cantilevered steel beams on each floor of its building modules. The modules themselves are composed of steel columns, metal decking, concrete slabs and outer tension and compression ring beams, which support glass-paneled outer walls. The bottom of each module is covered with glass fiber reinforced concrete. Beams, as well as steel struts tying all the structural components together, are bolted through the concrete core and hence are anchored into place, transferring vertical loads from perimeter columns and ring beams to the core.
The building was constructed by companies Midmac and BESIX subsidiary Six Construct and was completed in November 2007 at a final cost of €133,395,000.
The Torch Doha | 5-Star Hotels in Doha
Situated at 300m high and with 360° panoramic views across Doha, The Torch Doha is the result of comprehensive architectural, engineering and technical design, formerly shaped to represent a colossal torch which for the duration of the 15th Asian Games in 2006 held its symbolic flame, the highest flame in the history of the games.
Spread across 51 floors, each of the 163 luxury rooms and suites at THE TORCH DOHA are equipped with iPad based In-room Solution offering the guests customised control: lights & curtains operation, order in-room dining, access the internet on iPad and TV, set pre-arrival requests, lights and room temperature control, operation of the TV, access to music and radio, guest check-in and history clean-up, read online newspapers.
The Torch Doha Contacts
P.O. Box 23833 Doha, Qatar
ROOM RESERVATIONS
Tel: +974 4446 5600/ 5800
Fax: +974 4446 5700
RESTAURANT RESERVATIONS
Tel: +974 4446 5600
