Vienna Builds World’s Largest Wooden Skyscraper

Work has begun on the world’s largest wooden skyscraper, set to debut in Vienna, Austria, in 2018.

Upon completion, the HoHo Vienna will reach 275 feet and 24 stories, approximately eight stories taller than the world’s tallest existing wooden structure. Despite its name, the tower will not house grandiose Christmas displays. Instead, the interior will feature a full-service hotel, apartments, business offices, a wellness center and multiple restaurants.

Only approximately 74 percent of the structure will be made from wood, a material that releases fewer CO2 emissions than constructing with steel and concrete. Wood is abundant in Austria and is therefore also cost effective for construction. Architects note there is more wood available in the country than is used, and as such they have developed construction techniques to use with the bountiful natural resource.

The HoHo Vienna will be located in the city’s Seestadt Aspern neighborhood on the northeastern side of the Danube River. Once complete, the structure will surpass the height of two of the world’s currently standing wooden structures: the University of British Columbia’s Brock Commons residence hall in Vancouver, Canada, at 174 feet, and the Pagoda of Fogong Temple in Shuozhou, China, standing at 220 feet.