An artist's impression of the Lakhta Center.
An artist's impression of the Lakhta Center.
Lakhta Center
A drone photograph shows the Lakhta Center's now-complete tower.
A drone photograph shows the Lakhta Center's now-complete tower.
©Lakhta Center
The project broke ground in 2012, after the developer moved had initially proposed a location in the city's historical center.
The project broke ground in 2012, after the developer moved had initially proposed a location in the city's historical center.
©Lakhta Center
Parts of the complex will serve as headquarters for the Russian gas giant, Gazprom, which is carrying out the construction through its subsidiary Lakhta Center JSC.
Parts of the complex will serve as headquarters for the Russian gas giant, Gazprom, which is carrying out the construction through its subsidiary Lakhta Center JSC.
Viktor Sukharukov ©Lakhta Center
The site of the Lakhta Center, which sits a few miles from the center of St. Petersburg, was once an industrial sand depot.
The site of the Lakhta Center, which sits a few miles from the center of St. Petersburg, was once an industrial sand depot.
©Lakhta Center
The original architectural concept for the tower was proposed in 2011 by Tony Kettle, then at Scottish firm RMJM.
The original architectural concept for the tower was proposed in 2011 by Tony Kettle, then at Scottish firm RMJM.
©Lakhta Center
The facade of the building's lower structure measures 260 meters (8523 feet) long.
The facade of the building's lower structure measures 260 meters (8523 feet) long.
©Lakhta Center
The building's exterior is made of 16,500 individual glass panes.
The building's exterior is made of 16,500 individual glass panes.
©Lakhta Center
The foundations were driven 82 meters (269 feet) into the ground, resulting in a Guinness world record for the "largest continuous concrete pour" in history.
The foundations were driven 82 meters (269 feet) into the ground, resulting in a Guinness world record for the "largest continuous concrete pour" in history.
©Lakhta Center
The tower twists 90 degrees from the foundations to the spire.
The tower twists 90 degrees from the foundations to the spire.
©Lakhta Center
Gazprom has long eyed St. Petersburg for its new headquarters.
Gazprom has long eyed St. Petersburg for its new headquarters.
©Lakhta Center
The Lakhta Center takes the title of Europe's tallest building from Moscow's Federation Tower, completed in 2017.
The Lakhta Center takes the title of Europe's tallest building from Moscow's Federation Tower, completed in 2017.
©Lakhta Center
The building will be accessed through a 98-meter-tall (322-foot-tall) arch.
The building will be accessed through a 98-meter-tall (322-foot-tall) arch.
©Lakhta Center