Coltejer Building, Commercial skyscraper in downtown Medellín, Colombia
The Coltejer Building stands 37 stories tall in central Medellín and reaches about 175 meters (574 feet) in height. Its narrow form resembles a sewing needle and makes it visible from many streets and surrounding hills.
Construction began after the Junín Theatre and Hotel Europa were demolished in 1968. The tower was completed in 1972 and has shaped the city skyline ever since.
The needle shape recalls the sewing industry that once drove Medellín and shows how textile manufacturing shaped the city for decades. Many employees see it as a landmark connecting commerce and craft in the heart of downtown.
Nine elevators move employees and visitors between floors, with most space rented for office use. The tower stands near Parque Berrío metro station and is easy to reach on foot.
The tower was Colombia's tallest until 1977, when the Centro de Comercio Internacional surpassed it. Its needle shape is often linked to the textile industry, but architect Raúl Fajardo said in 2007 that it was simply a striking finish requested by Coltejer manager Rodrigo Uribe Echavarría.
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