Rem Koolhaas’ iconic tower is destroyed.
Above: Via the Huffington Post, dramatic images from Beijing.
A contemporary architectural icon is gone?
UPDATE: See below from Ryan, news reports confused the building
in question. This structure remained largely unharmed.
ryan hageman added these words on Feb 10 09 at 8:03 AMmixed reports:
“Fire consumed a building in Beijing that formed part of Central China Television’s new headquarters as residents set off fireworks throughout the city to celebrate the Lantern Festival on Monday evening.
Flames 20-30 feet high shot out of the building, *just north of the landmark CCTV tower* designed by Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas. The flames were reflected in the tower, which itself appeared to be *untouched.*”
http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSPEK19411020090209“apparently left the landmark $800 million square China Central Television Tower *without serious damage*. But the iconic structure and its fans have suffered a loss nevertheless.”
http://blogs.wsj.com/chinajournal/2009/02/10/things-lost-in-the-beijing-fire/?mod=googlenews_wsj“One firefighter was killed and seven people were injured, including six firefighters, according to Xinhua.” “The 241-room hotel, which had been due to open this summer, was unoccupied at the time, hotel executives said.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/10/world/asia/10beijing.html
Erik Brandt added these words on Feb 10 09 at 8:25 AMMany thanks for the cross-checks, Ryan. Confusion reigned! CNN reported the hotel on fire as well, but then the Huff Post… oh, the world of instant news. Lesson learned!