PYONGYANG | Ryugyong Hotel | 330m | 1082ft | 105 fl | U/C

[Pansori]

Wow, I somehow didn't pay attention to that before. Striking difference.

[desertpunk]

Yeah, the concrete looks a lot better. With the glazing complete, they will be able to start finishing the interiors. I wonder if all this work is being done in anticipation of some huge event?

[Mark Rejhon]

Originally Posted by desertpunk

Yeah, the concrete looks a lot better. With the glazing complete, they will be able to start finishing the interiors. I wonder if all this work is being done in anticipation of some huge event?

From the Koryo Tours travel agency

Ryugyong Hotel construction continues apace – Well known to lovers of unusual architecture as well as DPRK watchers in general the 105 floor pyramid-shaped Ryugyong Hotel in central Pyongyang is one of the most recognizable buildings in the North Korean capital. As mentioned in a previous newsletter, work resumed in May 2008 after a 16 year hiatus as a contract was signed with Egyptian company Orascom to make the building functional, if anyone knows how to build a pyramid it’s the Egyptians and although it looked at one stage as if total construction time would rival those at Giza, the Ryugyong has recently been undergoing a growth spurt with glass cladding spreading across two sides of the structure, and even the rare sight of electric lights inside being seen in the evenings as work goes on. Planned opening date for the hotel is April 15th 2012; the 100th anniversary of the birth of President Kim Il Sung, massive events will obviously be taking place at this time so book a tour now! Of course Koryo tours will have a full range of trips on offer at that time."

(Many photographs in this thread are taken by foreigners who travel though this agency to North Korea)

[STR]

While that concrete looks cleaner, I still see jagged and uneven corners. One wonders what the inside is like.