Western Europe’s tallest building set to be built in tiny town with a population of just 7,000 – and it’ll be visible from 40 miles away (no wonder some have likened it to The Tower of Sauron)
- The skyscraper will be the HQ of fashion giant Bestseller and will be ten metres taller than London’s Shard
- An eye-popping rendering shows how the building will dominate the flat countryside around it
- Bestseller calls it the Tower & Village project, and says it is a ‘rethink’ of the classic idea of a headquarters
- The complex will become home to 30 stores, educational facilities and hotel accommodation
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Western Europe’s tallest building is set to be erected in the tiny rural town of Brande in Denmark, which has a population of just 7,000 people.
The skyscraper will be the headquarters of fashion giant Bestseller, which was founded in the town in 1975, and at 320 metres (1,049 feet), will be ten metres taller than London’s Shard.
An eye-popping rendering shows how the building will dominate the flat countryside around it – it’ll be visible from around 60km (37 miles) away – drawing a comparison with The Tower of Sauron in Lord of the Rings.
The skyscraper will be the headquarters of fashion giant Bestseller and at 320 metres (1,049 feet), will be ten metres taller than London’s Shard
Bestseller – which is owned by Anders Holch Povlsen, Denmark’s richest man – calls the plan the Tower & Village project, and says that it is a ‘rethink’ of the classic idea of a headquarters
This was made by a Danish satirical publication called Rokokoposten, according to The Guardian, which wrote a spoof article in which Sauron was quoted as saying: ‘I have offered to finance a major interactive art installation in the form of a blazing eye at the very top of the building.’
The Guardian says that there are also serious objections to the project.
It quotes Aarhus architect Trine Kammer as saying that the building will destroy ‘undisturbed landscape’.
The project has, nevertheless, received approval from the city council and one local reporter from Brande told The Guardian: ‘It’s hard to find anyone here who is opposed to the tower.’
The complex will become home to 30 stores, educational facilities, hotel accommodation and multiple Bestseller offices
Bestseller – which is owned by Anders Holch Povlsen, Denmark’s richest man – calls the plan the Tower & Village project, and says that it is a ‘rethink’ of the classic idea of a headquarters.
The complex will become home to 30 stores, educational facilities, hotel accommodation and multiple Bestseller offices.
Hans Ulbrichsen, from Brande Trade Association, said: ‘We see Bestseller’s project plan as a great opportunity for the town. An opportunity that can help create a dynamic life in all of Brande – not just for Bestseller – but very much also for the local businesses in Brande. A larger customer base is beneficial for all parties.
‘The overall building project is thought as an investment in Brande, and the planned high-rise building will function as an icon for the new expansion. It will be a landmark that places Brande on the map, but it will also function as an architectural attraction benefitting hotel guests, students and other users of the building.’
Project Manager Anders Krogh said: ‘We are very pleased that the plans have now been approved by the city council and we are extremely proud and humbled by the amount of support our project has received, especially locally. It is important for us to underline that the city council’s approval is merely one of the preliminary steps of a long journey.
‘The city council’s approval is obviously essential, but we still have a lot of homework to do and much to consider before a project like this can be brought to life. We still have years ahead of us before a potential start date.’