Tour Initiale, Office skyscraper in La Défense, France
Tour Initiale is an office skyscraper in La Défense that stands approximately 110 meters tall with 30 floors. The building features distinctive curved glass corners that define its contemporary architectural design.
The tower was completed in 1966 as Tour Nobel and became the first high-rise building in the La Défense district. It received its current name Tour Initiale in 1988 to mark its position as the pioneering structure in the area's vertical development.
The architectural design by Jean de Mailly and Jacques Depussé incorporated glass elements from the United States, introducing new construction methods to France.
The building is easily accessible on foot through the streets and plazas of La Défense and sits in a central location within the business district. Visitors can explore its exterior design and the surrounding area, which form part of the larger urban complex.
The building was originally named after a Nobel Prize winner before being renamed in 1988 to acknowledge its historical importance as the area's first high-rise. This name change reflects how crucial the tower's role was in reshaping La Défense.
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