Mixed-use development will serve as the economic and administrative core of Kazakhstan’s planned new city.
Global architecture firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) has revealed designs for a major mixed-use development featuring two towers that will form the central “vertical district” of the planned city of Alatau in Kazakhstan.
The project includes towers rising 272 metres and 80 metres, designed to act as the economic and administrative nucleus of the emerging urban centre. According to the firm, the development will span approximately 276,800 square metres, combining multiple urban functions within a single integrated complex.
Mixed-Use ‘Vertical District’
SOM describes the project as a self-contained vertical district, integrating several urban programs typically spread across multiple city blocks.
The towers will include:
- Office spaces
- Residential apartments
- Hospitality facilities
- Retail outlets
- Cultural and public spaces
By stacking these functions vertically, the development aims to create a dense, walkable urban hub that supports business activity while also providing housing, entertainment and cultural amenities.
Inspired by the Trans-Ili Alatau Mountains
The architectural concept draws inspiration from the nearby Trans-Ili Alatau, a dramatic 350-kilometre mountain range known for its glaciers and valleys.
Designers say the towers’ form and façade reflect the region’s natural landscape, translating the layered geometry and textures of the mountains into a contemporary architectural language.
The approach is intended to connect the project visually and symbolically with the surrounding geography while reinforcing Alatau’s identity as a modern Central Asian city.
Southern Kazakhstan’s Tallest Tower
The 272-metre tower will become the tallest building in southern Kazakhstan once completed, marking a significant addition to the country’s skyline and its growing portfolio of landmark architecture.
The smaller 80-metre tower will complement the main structure while contributing additional residential and commercial capacity to the district.
Strategic Urban Development
The development forms part of Kazakhstan’s broader strategy to expand and modernize its urban infrastructure through new city projects designed to attract business investment, residents and international visitors.
By creating a central district that combines administrative functions with residential and cultural spaces, planners aim to establish Alatau as a major economic hub in the region.
SOM, known globally for designing iconic skyscrapers and urban developments, said the project reflects a shift toward high-density, mixed-use vertical urbanism, where multiple city functions coexist within a single architectural complex.
