PYONGYANG | Ryugyong Hotel | 330m | 1083ft | 105 fl | T/O

[Betelgeuze]

Originally Posted by Mark Rejhon

Sure, subject to debate is how much improvement the concrete got, but there is now unamious agreement that there is at least some improvement (one way or another, even skeptics claim "appearance wise" it still looked improved even if there is still debate on structural quality).

Since it happened in secret its clearly not for show but the real deal, thats why I believe its not just "some" improvements. There's no point in starting fixing the building if they don't want to do it completely. Fixing parts but keeping the complete structure dangerous is just a waste of time and resources.


Anyway, it looks like they are finally starting on the edges of the builing, the cladding should be finished this year I think Who knows, next year we might even know whats going on!

[Mark Rejhon]

Originally Posted by SaRaJeVo-City

what is the point of constructing this tower? Isnt North Koreas tourism like almost non-existing? Is the tower going to be renovated inside or they are just reconstructing the outside?

It's reported in a newspaper article, of a direct quote of an Orascom executive, that Ryugyong will contain apartments, offices, and hotel rooms. I posted a link many pages ago.

Essentially, Ryugyong is now a mixed-use building to them, rather than originally being 100% hotel. That makes a lot more sense.

There is a small but growing tourism market (See Koryo tours). Recent tourists did comment there is a very slow and gradual relaxing of rules upon them -- some photographers are able to get permission to go to various places they were not formerly allowed before (search North Korea on Flickr to see what I mean; some pretty pics). I hope North Korea gradually opens up -- they may be like China 1980 right now and look at what happened to China over the last few decades. North Korea would possibly now get more internal pressure to make their country more pleasant to businessmen and tourists, and that can only be good for a gradual opening-up of society (Even if it's more China-style than American-style). Some setbacks here and there (see the disastorous China Great Leap Forward) but average progressing forward I would hope and that the worst of North Korea is gradually becoming behind them -- Anyway, I will keep politics out of this thread.

[Mark Rejhon]

Originally Posted by Betelgeuze

Since it happened in secret its clearly not for show but the real deal, tahst why I believe its not just "some" improvements. Thers no point in starting fixing the building if they don't want to do it completely. Fixing parts but keeping the complete structure dangerous is just a waste of time and resources.

anyway, it looks like they are finally starting on the edges of the builing, the cladding should be finished this year I think Who knows, next year we might even know whats going on!

I agree there's debate to the extent of concrete restoration. It's a wait-and-see, but I do believe Orascom knew what they were doing -- hopefully -- and they did focus on the essential issues with the concrete with proper analysis and restoration techniques.

[mopc]

It looks excellent for North Korean communist stardards for sure, hopefully North Korea will enter a path of development and sanity and maybe 20 years from now there will be only one, united, powerful and developed Korea once again, and the world will be a happier place.

[ovem]

Originally Posted by Mark Rejhon

Might? They definitely did. I posted links to before-and-after photos as proof.

Sure, subject to debate is how much improvement the concrete got, but there is now unamious agreement that there is at least some improvement (one way or another, even skeptics claim "appearance wise" it still looked improved even if there is still debate on structural quality).

My belief is Orascom knows what they are doing -- it is quite the massive engineering challenge of renovating a large derelict exoskeleton, but concrete restoration techniques definitely does exist and at least appears to have been done on such a massive scale on Ryugyong. A "wait and see" is warranted.

Well ok I'm just trying to be careful. Reality is not a fact in photography sometimes.

[Qtya]

Just for a better comparison...

Originally Posted by vincenand

Compared to a couple of years ago:

image hosted on flickr


Also notable in this pic is the new Mansudae Street.

[mysteek_1976]

^

Originally Posted by Betelgeuze

So because it has been under construction longer than most buildings its more ugly now? If thats not what you are trying to say, I don't get your point.

If thats the rule I'm sure that makes the Freedom Tower in NY one of the ugliest buildings in the city.

that is soooooooo true.....i love it.

[mysteek_1976]

My sweet little nephew!s scratch that previous thread thing...sorry!

[mysteek_1976]

i don't know where that sweet little nephew thing came from either.....hahahaha..i'm outy!

[Mark Rejhon]

Originally Posted by ovem

Well ok I'm just trying to be careful. Reality is not a fact in photography sometimes.

True, but many of the photographs on Flickr and similiar sites were taken by tourists who visited North Korea, many of who visited via Koryo Tours or chinese tourist agecies, etc. It is also, possible to indepenently contact some of them and get independent confirmation. Although some might be North Korea supplied material, most are not.

[_mike]

Originally Posted by Qtya

Just for a better comparison...

Great shot! Pyongyang's skyline is not that bad after all. Ryugyong tower is a beauty.

[vincenand]

image hosted on flickr


http://www.flickr.com/photos/kernbeisser/

[erdoglija]

Look at the state of that lamp post...

[Littlemob]

love the building and if I looked correctly one of the little peaks is cladded? are there some clearer pictures of that?

thanks vincenand

[vincenand]

^

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpo...postcount=1002

[leohamilton]

wow! great!

[bamz..]

Always be my favourite building. Like the color. beautiful.. !!

[Singidunum]

I can't wait for them to do the edges with balconies on this side which will give that third a finished look.

Originally Posted by erdoglija

Look at the state of that lamp post...

Looks like something in Serbia almost. But I wonder if the lamp post is important for the Ryugyong Hotel constuction?

[droneriot]

Originally Posted by Singidunum

Looks like something in Serbia almost.

Looks like something in every city I've ever been to.

[Saigoneseguy]

Love how Ryugyong Tower became the focus of the forum after Bruj Khalifa is completed.