63 Building

A gold-glass tower on the Han River that was the tallest building outside North America when completed in 1985.

When it opened it was the tallest building outside North America. The name suggests 63 floors, but only 60 of them are above ground. Its golden glass skin shines in the sun, and it is the second-tallest gold-clad building in the world, after the Grand Lisboa in Macau. It was built as a landmark for the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, and today it is one of Korea's best-known skyline symbols.

How was it built?

Construction began in February 1980, during a time of fast economic growth in South Korea, and finished in 1985. The American firm Skidmore, Owings and Merrill designed it, and it cost about 180 billion won. The shape is based on the Chinese character for person, which looks like a person standing with legs apart. The golden glass was chosen to reflect the sun and make the tower shine in the middle of the city.

Who uses it?

It was first called the DLI 63 Building after the Daehan Life Insurance company that built it. In 2000 the Hanwha Group renamed it 63 City. The building houses the headquarters of insurance and financial companies, and it has long been a popular place for visitors, with its observation deck and views over the Han River. Because of its size and its golden colour, it is easy to spot from many places along the river.

On the globe

The model shows a slim tower of gold glass beside the Han River. Look for the shiny gold colour and the stepped shape.