NESTLED in the middle of a forest, a towering structure almost as tall as London’s iconic Shard rises dramatically above the trees. But instead of being a luxury skyscraper full of offices or apartments, no one lives there — because the giant tower is dedicated entirely to testing lifts. 6 The TK Elevator Testturm is located in Rottweil, Germany Credit: Alamy 6 The tower stands at an impressive 807ft, almost as tall as the 1,000ft Shard Credit: Getty 6 The TK Elevator Testturm, standing at an impressive 807ft, is a cutting-edge facility designed to push elevator technology to new heights.
Built in 2017 by engineering giant TK Elevator, the structure houses 12 shafts where next-generation lifts are tested, including high-speed models and groundbreaking “MULTI” systems that can move both vertically and horizontally. The Testturm’s location is as surprising as its function. Sitting in the quiet, medieval town of Rottweil, Germany, the tower stands in stark contrast to its historic surroundings and forests.
Read more on skyscrapers TOWER POWER Incredible plan for world’s tallest skyscraper designed to be a ‘giant battery’ THE SKINNY-SCRAPER Ultra-thin skyscraper taller than The Shard to loom over iconic city While its height is comparable to The Shard in London - which reaches 1,016ft - this tower isn’t home to luxury apartments or offices, but a laboratory for innovation. Engineers and architects from across the globe visit the site to trial cutting-edge design.
