This Tuesday, May 27th Paris officials will choose the best project for the new skyscraper to be built in the La Defense business district, west of the city. Designed by one of the top world architects, it will rival the best known Paris attraction, the Eiffel Tower.

The projects in the running to win the competition are: rectangular white tower housing flats, hotel rooms, shops and offices by Jean Nouvel, and projects by Norman Foster, Daniel Libeskind, Jean-Michel Wilmotte and Jacques Ferrier.

The first La Defense's buildings were the shell-shaped CNIT, built in 1958 (pictured) and the Great Arch (1989). Seventeen of the district's constructions are set for demolition by 2012. The renovation plan says that the demolished buildings will be replaced by new shops, parks, cycle lanes and skyscrapers.
2008.05.27