Kungstornen, Twin tower skyscrapers in Norrmalm, Stockholm, Sweden
Kungstornen are two office towers flanking Kungsgatan in Norrmalm, Stockholm: the 16-storey Norra Kungstornet (60 m, 1924) and the 17-storey Södra Kungstornet (61 m, 1925). Their reinforced-concrete frames carry non-load-bearing facades of rendered cement blocks with strong vertical articulation. The north tower was designed by Sven Wallander, the south by Ivar Callmander; both draw on Lower Manhattan high-rise models.
The north tower was completed in 1924, designed by Sven Wallander, and the south tower followed in 1925, designed by Ivar Callmander. Both were built during a period when Stockholm was actively reshaping its city center into a modern commercial district.
The towers stand on a stretch of Kungsgatan that has long been one of the liveliest commercial streets in central Stockholm. Their American-inspired silhouette gives the area a look unlike most other parts of the city.
The towers are best seen from street level on Kungsgatan, where stepping back toward the middle of the street gives a clear view of both at once. The surrounding area is easy to walk around, with plenty of shops and cafes nearby.
Because Kungsgatan follows a slight curve, the two towers were built with subtly different floor plans so they would appear symmetrical from the street. This small adjustment is almost invisible to passersby but shows how carefully each building was fitted into the urban layout.
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