Al-Sharq Lofts - Inspired by Al Sharq Office Complex in Kuwait

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Most skyscrapers don't really make you do a double-take when you see them. Even some of the most interesting towers are really nothing more than a glorified box, and while they may be worth a glance, they're not going to have the visual pop that every Downtown needs some of. Al-Sharq Lofts is not one of these skyscrapers. This building's incredibly narrow structure and the two razor-sharp fins that are its most defining feature ensure that it will stand out in even the busiest of Downtowns.

This building is based off of concept art for a building in Kuwait called the Al-Sharq Office Complex, a building which, so far as I can tell, was never actually constructed. The original building had gray fins and a rainbow-colored array of windows, but since The Sims 2 doesn't really allow as much discretion insofar as windows are concerned as the real world does, I decided that a burnt-orange color for the two fins would help ensure that no matter where it is constructed, it would be one of the most striking buildings in the neighborhood. I also removed the carpark structure that, in real life, was meant to go under the main part of the structure since, let's be honest, it doesn't really add much visual interest to the building, aside from making it a few stories taller (which the game wouldn't let me do, sadly). If you want to see the concept art for the proposed ACTUAL building, this site has quite a few good images: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=474987

The 7 apartments in this building all tend towards a more modern design aesthetic, (only fitting for such a modern building) while still keeping prices low enough so as not to be completely out of reach of many Sims. Starting at $2100 per week, the average apartment in this building is perfectly suited for either a single Sim who enjoys the benefits of a solo urban lifestyle, or a couple who want to keep in touch with the faster-paced life of the city. The top two stories are dedicated to a luxurious penthouse apartment which, while not quite as opulent as some of the buildings I've designed, is perfectly suited for a wealthy Sim who wants everyone to know which one the building they live in is. At $4488 per week, it's also not as expensive as many other penthouse apartments are, making it perfect for a Sim who desperately wants the lifestyle afforded by a home in the sky, but doesn't want a stratospheric price tag to go along with it.

The highest accessible floor is a rooftop bar area, available to all the building's residents- perfect for a weekly cocktail party or a relaxing morning drink while looking out at the cityscape surrounding the building. Also provided for the benefit of tenants is a private library, located on the first real structural level, three stories above the twin fountains and linked pools that dominate the courtyard. The wide courtyard also ensures that this building will be distant enough to be visually striking to every Sim walking by on the street, particularly when seen edge-on. So narrow that it almost disappears into the sky behind it, this building will catch Sims' eyes no matter where they see it from.

While this is certainly a skyscraper suited for placement in a Downtown area, I would recommend not placing it in the heart of the city- instead, find a spot several lots removed from the densest area of your Downtown, and place these lofts there instead. This building's defining characteristic is its silhouette, which is lost if the lot is surrounded too closely by other towers. By placing it a few blocks away, its distinctive shape will stand out better, and while it doesn't change the weekly rates for any of the apartments, the views from all of them will be dramatically improved!
Of course, as is my custom with skyscraper lots, I feel obligated to warn those of you with slower or older computers that this lot won't be the fastest one for you. Still, I designed it on an old, slow computer, so it's certainly playable, and the visual interest that such a distinctive building adds to your city skyline cannot be ignored.

Lot Size: 3x2
Lot Price: $2100 - $4488

Additional Credits:
The exterior of this building is based off of the concept art for the Al Sharq Office Complex in Kuwait, designed by the architectural firm Atkins. So far as I can tell, this building was never actually constructed (if it was, correct me please!) but the design is still impressive, so once again, well done Atkins!