A skyscraper shaped like a glacier wedge is rising in Kazakhstan — 272 meters tall, designed to withstand earthquakes, and already under construction.

The Alatau Iconic Complex doesn’t look like something that belongs to the present. Its pyramidal towers, angled like shards of ice, could easily be mistaken for a sci-fi set piece. Yet the foundations are being laid right now in Alatau, a new city under development near Almaty, Kazakhstan. Skidmore, Owings & Merrill — the same firm behind the Burj Khalifa in Dubai and One World Trade Center in New York — is steering the project.

Alatau Iconic Complex: Kazakhstan’s tallest tower, due by 2029. Credit: SOM


The taller of the two towers will climb to 272 meters (892 feet), making it the tallest structure in southern Kazakhstan. Its smaller sibling, at 80 meters (262 feet), will house a luxury hotel and branded residences. Both share a wedge-like geometry inspired by the Trans-Ili Alatau mountains, their stepped forms opening space for terraces and balconies. The design isn’t just aesthetic; it’s functional, channeling natural light deep into the interiors through central atria while framing panoramic views of the surrounding peaks.

Two towers, one gateway — offices, residences, and a hotel in the making. Credit: SOM

Earthquakes are a constant threat in the region, and the engineering team is weighing two approaches. One borrows from Japan’s seismic damping systems, which act like suspension in a car, absorbing shocks. The other follows the American model, relying on a steel skeleton built to resist extreme forces. Either way, the towers are being conceived to endure the ground’s volatility without compromising their striking silhouette.

Calm skyline, restless ground — seismic risk shapes every decision here. Credit: SOM


SOM describes the primary tower as a mix of office space and premium residences, while the secondary tower will anchor the district’s hospitality offering. At the base, a three-level podium covered in greenery will tie the complex together, hosting retail, cultural venues, and event spaces. The facades themselves are designed to be high-performance, with shading strategies that reduce solar heat gain — a practical necessity in a city that will serve as Kazakhstan’s new economic hub.

Glacier-inspired geometry meets steel skeleton strength. Credit: SOM

Preparatory work has already begun, with full-scale excavation scheduled for May. The timeline is ambitious: both towers are slated for completion by 2029. If delivered as planned, the Alatau Iconic Complex will stand as both a gateway and a statement — a city defining itself through architecture that looks forward rather than back.

The tallest tower in southern Kazakhstan is already under construction

The most compelling detail isn’t just the height or the futuristic form. It’s the fact that this project is happening at all. In a region where seismic risk could easily discourage such ambition, engineers and architects are betting on technology to reconcile beauty with resilience. By the end of the decade, Alatau may have its own icon — one that proves skyscrapers can be both daring and deeply rooted in the realities of their environment.

Sources: New Atlas, SOM, Alatau City