• Weight: 705,130 t
• Taipei 101 was opened to the public on December 31, 2004.
• TAIPEI is mnemonic for Technology, Art, Innovation, People, Environment, and Identity. 101 represents the concept of striving for beyond perfection.
• Taipei 101, whose pinnacle reached full height on Oct. 9, 2003, is currently the official world's tallest building in the categories of highest structurally, highest roof, and highest occupied floor. The Sears Tower in Chicago holds the fourth category of overall height.
• The multi-use structure will house retail facilities on Levels 1-4; a fitness center on Levels 5-6; offices on Levels 7-84; restaurants on Levels 86-88; observation decks on Levels 89, 91, and 101; and communication facilities on Levels 92-100.
• There is a station for the Taipei Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) beneath the building awaiting the eventual construction of the Hsinyi line.
• On December 15, 2004, Toshiba installed the world's two fastest elevators. With top speeds of 1010 m/min, observation deck visitors can whiz from Level B1 to 89 in 39 seconds.
• A 900-ton tuned mass damper is installed on the 87th floor to counter earthquakes and typhoons. It will be available for public viewing from the restaurant levels and observation deck.
• The building underwent numerous redesigns due to aviation restrictions imposed by the nearby Taipei Municipal (Sung Shan) Airport before a special variance was granted and the building was constructed to the full original intended height.
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History: 1997 - 2003
• Originally Taipei 101 was going to be a 66-floor office tower, a symbol of the new development emerging from Taipei’s financial district.
• A groundbreaking ceremony was held on January 13th, 1998, planners later decided to raise the tower’s height from 66 floors to 101 floors.
• Due to the height change, construction was delayed, the first column was finally constructed in the summer of 2000.
• On March 31st, 2002, five construction workers were killed when a 6.8 earthquake caused two cranes to fall from the 56th floor. Construction was halted and resumed after an inspection. Several fires in the podium occurred during construction as well.
• The roof-level topout ceremony was held on July 1st, 2003.
• During the week of August 10-16, 2003 it overtook the Petronas Towers in structural height, becoming the official world's tallest building. Visual confirmation was unavailable until August 22, however.
• The building formally opened on New Years Eve 2004, Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou and Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng cut the ribbon. Visitors where allowed to the observation decks, concerts where held, and on midnight the tower celebrated with a magnificent firework show.
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