The economic crisis has sure given the whole world a jerk, but it seems to have some affirmative outcomes too. Netherlands would probably thank the recession for this. Scheduled to start in December, the country is looking skywards for its largest building ever, the 150 meters high De Rotterdam to be completed by 2013.

The Dutch architects from Office for Metropolitan Architecture have started designing De Rotterdam in 1997 as a part of the redevelopment of Wilhelminapier with an endeavor to re-establish the urban activity of the area. Occupying an area of 160,000sq.m approximately, the building is a complex of three interconnected mixed-use towers comprising offices, apartments, a hotel, conference facilities, gym, shops, restaurants, and cafes. The project expected to cost around €340m might charge lesser now, and the credit goes to the economic crisis, which slashed down the cost of men and material.

In an era of mixed-use constructions, I expect this architectural spectacle to give a tough competition to all the other similar buildings in the world.

Via Dezeen