Plans are underway to construct a new skyscraper in the northern England city of Leeds that will officially be Europe's tallest building.
The Lumiere Tower 1 will cost £225m to build and, at a height of 52 storeys and 170.88 metres, it will surpass Beetham Tower over in Manchester by two metres as the tallest building in Europe.
It is expected that the sksyscraper will be completed by 2010 and contain 650 apartments, many of which will be designed specifically for people aged over 55, as well as office space, a dentist, shops and cafes.
Leeds City Council leader Andrew Carter told BBC News: "Leeds really does lead the way when it comes to innovation, development and being a successful, vibrant city.
"The towers are a stunning example of modern design which will be a key landmark as the city's progress continues apace."
The project will also see the construction of a smaller tower, 30 storeys high, on the same site, which will be linked to the first tower by a sheltered winter garden.
It is to be carried out jointly by construction firms KW Linfoot and Scarborough Development Group, who specialise in residential and commercial projects respectively and work on the site will begin in October, pending council approval.
Ó 2006 Adfero Ltd
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