ASTANA, KAZAKHSTAN-Sembol Contruction recently held the grand opening ceremony for the one-million-square-foot Khan Shatyr (Royal Marquee in the native language) entertainment center. The massive tent-shaped structure, about 500 feet tall at the peak of the “mast,” was designed by architect Lord Norman Foster of Foster and Partners.
Coalco is the developer, and BF Globa is the investor in the project. Construction was started in 2006 by Turkey-based Sembol.
The outer structure is shaped like a tent, and made of ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), a type of plastic that lets in sunlight but blocks weather extremes. The ETFE is suspended on a network of cables strung out from a central spire.
The inside of the structure includes 430,000 square feet of multi-tiered retail in 245 shops and markets. Other amenities include a park, spas, water park and more entertainment venues. A main attraction includes a pool and beach, with sand brought in from the Maldives.
Kazakhstan declared its independence as the world’s ninth largest country in 1991. With 15 million people, the country has been enjoying a surge in activity from growing oil export. Astana was named the capital in 1997, and has seen massive new developments such as the Pyramid of Peace and the Twin Towers Astana.
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