Baku Flame Towers embody Azerbaijan’s Land of Fire spirit
This trio of distinctive structures has changed the skyline of Baku’s historic city centre and is perched on a hill overlooking the Caspian Sea. HOK was inspired to create these modern, Baku flame towers by the city’s history of fire worship, natural gas resources, and current position as a hub for technology and business. Despite having a similar exterior, each tower was created to perform a particular task. The tallest of the three buildings, a residential tower with 39 stories, is located to the south and houses 130 opulent apartments. 318 guest rooms at a 36-story hotel located on the site’s northern corner offer breathtaking views.
More than 350,000 square feet of adaptable Class A commercial office space are offered by an office tower to the west of the location. Azerbaijan’s motto, “The Land of Fire,” is referenced by the three flame-shaped towers, which represent the element of fire. This is historically significant in an area where natural gas flares shoot out of the ground and Zoroastrian worshippers interpreted fire as a representation of the divine, notably at the Ateshgah of Baku and Yanar Dag. The city of Baku’s coat of arms also features a three-flame design.
Flame Towers was believed to have cost US$350 million. Beginning in 2007, the project was finished in 2012. On the ground level of the East Tower of the Flame Towers, in Azerbaijan, Lamborghini launched its first store in June 2014. LED screens that show the movement of a fire visible from the farthest areas of the city are entirely encircling these Flame Towers. Giant flames, the colours of the Azerbaijani flag, a person waving a flag, and enormous tanks of water being filled are all featured in the light show. The average transition time is two minutes.
The towers are a notable feature in the video game Battlefield 4, where Baku serves as the setting for Baku’s opening level of the single-player campaign. The towers were also regularly displayed during coverage of Baku’s inaugural Formula One European Grand Prix. A retail pedestal featuring services for residents’ and visitors’ entertainment and recreation anchors the three towers. The “flame” theme is enhanced at night by the flickering effect created by LED lights on the buildings’ exteriors.
The towers are an ever-burning flame for a contemporary Baku, drawing inspiration from the rich tradition of fire worship in Azerbaijan. The Baku Flame Towers project was overseen by Azinko Development M.M.C. The project, which has a site size of about 28,000 m2, comprises three towers that share a podium. The project’s 245,000 m2 of built-up space is dedicated to construction. They are joined at the towers’ bases by a glass roof. There is a sizable shopping centre below.
