Kaktus Towers has been awarded Europe’s Best Tall Building by an international jury of architects at the CTBUH (Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat) conference in London. Bringing together the world’s leading architects and urban developers, the conference celebrates the development of extraordinary buildings and urban environments globally. Kaktus Towers is a collaboration between Catella, Høpfner and BIG – Bjarke Ingels Group.
The Kaktus Towers, unlike conventional buildings with repetitive, horizontal floor plans, feature rotating levels, offering distinctive views for each apartment and adding a sculptural element to Copenhagen’s skyline with its spiky facades.
The two towers consist of 24 and 21 floors, totalling 495 apartments. They are designed based on the ‘micro-living’ concept, providing modern living spaces ranging from 33 to 53 sqm. Each apartment is situated around a central core and features tailored interior solutions and a private balcony. The residents can enjoy shared facilities including kitchens, collaboration spaces, lounges, and indoor and outdoor exercise areas. The concept aims to offer a living experience where residents can sleep in their apartments and live within the building.
“We are thrilled that Kaktus Towers has been awarded this prestigious architectural prize. Apart from its architectural expression that redefines Copenhagen’s skyline, the Towers demonstrates modern and sustainable social living concepts of today and tomorrow’s needs. Since inception, we have been fully leased and experienced a rental growth of 15 percent which is a true testimony to the demand this property attracts,” said Morten Gustafson, Managing Director, Catella Investment Management Denmark.
Kaktus Towers are built in one of Copenhagen’s most extensive development areas and are part of a larger zoning plan at Kalvebod Brygge. The area is being transformed into an innovative green district connecting Postbyen, Jernbanebyen and the Central Station, aiming to offer a new green destination while reducing CO2 emissions and increasing the well-being of residents in the area by increasing greenery and biodiversity.
The project was designed with a focus on ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) qualities from the outset. The project is aimed to be aligned with EU Taxonomy and has furthermore applied to the Green Building Council for a DGNB certification. Kaktus Towers also focuses on the environmental impact of the asset, such as indoor materials with low degassing of VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds), and as much of the wood as possible used in the building is FSC-certified to ensure that the products come from responsibly managed forests.
“The award is a recognition of our dedication to sustainable investments and ESG principles, as well as our efforts to promote modern housing concepts that benefit society. It also reflects our commitment to creating attractive residential areas that prioritize both individuals and the urban environment”, comments Daniel Gorosch, Interim CEO and President of Catella Group.
