Modern Pyramids in Unexpected Places
Pyramids usually conjure up thoughts of ancient ruins or burial tombs at the center of past cultures. The modern pyramids constructed of glass and steel have replaced blocks of limestone. The architecture of modern pyramids boasts of buildings with offices, research facilities, entertainment, and education spaces designed to mirror the structure of ancient pyramids - with all of the contemporary conveniences. Here are ten examples of modern pyramids in unexpected places throughout the world:
1. Luxor Hotel & Casino
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Size: 120,000-square-foot (11,000 m2) casino with 4,407 rooms & 442 suites
Cost: $375 million
Built: 1993
Purpose: Entertainment & Hotel
Interesting Fact: "At 42.3 billion candelas, the Luxor Sky Beam is the strongest beam of light in the world, using curved mirrors to collect the light from 39 xenon lamps and focus them into one intense, narrow beam. On a clear night, the Sky Beam is visible up to 275 miles (443 km) away by aircraft at cruising altitude, such as over Los Angeles." (source)
Learn more about the Luxor Hotel and Casino.
2. Transamerica Pyramid
Location: San Francisco, California
Size: 48 floors with 702,000 sq ft
Cost: $32 million
Built: 1972
Purpose: Office & Retail Space
Interesting Fact: "The building is a tall, four-sided pyramid with two "wings" to accommodate an elevator shaft on the east and a stairwell and a smoke tower on the west." (source)
Learn more about the Transamerica Pyramid.
3. Walter Pyramid (aka Long Beach Pyramid)
Location: Long Beach, California
Size: Each side of the perimeter measures 345 feet (105 m) making it a mathematically true pyramid.
Cost: $23 million
Built: 1994
Purpose: University Sports Arena
Interesting Fact: "It is one of only three true pyramid-style buildings in the United States, the others being Luxor Las Vegas in Las Vegas, Nevada and Pyramid Arena in Memphis, Tennessee." (source)
Learn more about Walter Pyramid.
4. Muttart Conservatory
Location: Edmonton, Alberta Canada
Size: Larger pyramids are 660 square meters (area); Medium-sized pyramids are 410 square meters
Cost: $2 million
Built: 1976
Purpose: Education & Research
Interesting Fact: "The conservatory's unusual structure, designed by architect Peter Hemingway, is composed of four glassed pyramids built around a central service core. Three of the pyramids are devoted to displays of plants from the tropical, temperate, and arid regions respectively, the fourth being used for shows that change with the seasons and which feature massed displays of ornamental flowering plants." (source)
Learn more about the Muttart Conservatory.
5. Palace of Peace and Reconciliation (aka Pyramid of Peace and Accord)
Location: Nur-Sultan, the capital of Kazakhstan
Size: 300,000 sq ft
Cost: $58 million
Built: 2006
Purpose: Government & Entertainment
Interesting Fact: "The project was conceived as a permanent venue for the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, which meets once every three years around a huge round table in the apex of the pyramid. In 2011 and 2013, the International Astana Action Film Festival was held in the Palace." (source)
Learn more about the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation.
6. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (RRHOF)
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Size: 55,000 sq/ft
Cost: $92 million
Built: 1995
Purpose: Museum & Entertainment
Interesting Fact: "The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was designed by Chinese architect I. M. Pei, who also designed the famous pyramid at the Louvre's." (source)
Learn more about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
7. Ryugyong Hotel
Location: Pyongyang, North Korea
Size: 105-story, 330-metre-tall (1,080 ft)
Cost: Unknown
Built: started in 1987; unfinished
Purpose: Entertainment, Office, Retail
Interesting Fact: "The building is currently listed by Guinness World Records as being the tallest unoccupied building in the world." (source)
Learn more about the Ryugyong Hotel.
8. Memphis Pyramid
Location: Memphis, Tennessee
AKA: Great American Pyramid, Pyramid Arena, Tomb of Doom, Bass Pro Shops Pyramid
Size: 321 feet high
Cost: $65 million
Built: 1991
Purpose: Sport Arena
Interesting Fact: "On the Pyramid's opening night, the arena floor flooded because of inadequate drainage pumps, forcing stage hands to sandbag the entire perimeter to preserve the electrical that runs under the stage." (source)
Learn more about the Memphis Pyramid.
9. Bolz Conservatory
Location: Madison, Wisconsin
Size: 10,000 sq feet, 16 acres
Cost: Unknown
Built: 1952
Purpose: Education & Research
Interesting Fact: "The structure itself is a glass pyramid measuring 100 by 100 ft (30 by 30 m) and rising to 50 ft (12 m) at the apex. The temperature is maintained between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit (between 18 and 26 °C), although the sun may warm it to 100°F (35 °C) in the summer. The relative humidity is maintained at 70% or above." (source)
Learn more about the Bolz Conservatory.
10. Louvre Pyramid
Location: Paris, France
Size: 116 feet wide x 70 feet high
Cost: +$1 billion
Built: 1993
Purpose: Museum & Entertainment
Interesting Fact: "Those criticizing the aesthetics said it was "sacrilegious" to tamper with the Louvre's majestic old French Renaissance architecture, and called the pyramid an anachronistic intrusion of an Egyptian death symbol in the middle of Paris." (source)
Learn more about the Louvre Pyramid.
Wasting time chasing building information? PocketBuildings makes it easy to bundle, curate, and share your building data and media. Claim your free building today!
