Vertical City

1. E1. Sears Tower, Chicago

   Jul 1, 2009 · 30m

   Still the tallest tower in the US – as well as the tallest building in the world for 25 years – the $175million Sears Tower broke boundaries in not only height but design and construction when it was completed in 1973. But building the tallest building in the world brings its own logistical headaches – and the crippling cost of funding an iconic tower can take its toll. Presented by Keith Keaveney. Architects: S.O.M (Bruce Graham)

2. E2. Commerzbank, Frankfort

   Jul 1, 2009 · 30m

   Charlie Luxton travels to Commerzbank, Frankfurt to explore the world's first eco-friendly skyscraper, designed by British architect Norman Foster.

3. E3. Eureka Tower, Melbourne

   Jul 15, 2009 · 30m

   Vertical City goes up top Down Under to the tallest residential building in the world – the 300m Eureka Tower, the most exclusive address in the Southern Hemisphere. But is living the high life destroying our traditional city communities? Are these Vertical Villages changing the way we live forever? Presented by Keith Keaveney. Architects: Karl Fender and Nonda Katsalidis.

4. E4. Torre Mayor, Mexico City

   Jul 22, 2009 · 30m

   The strongest building on Earth, Torre Mayor is constructed to withstand earthquakes that would obliterate the average skyscraper. Built in the wake of Mexico City’s most devastating earthquake in 1985, this monument to engineering has become a haven of safety in one of the world’s most active seismic zones. But can the ever growing height of skyscrapers compete with typhoons and earthquakes? Can man’s high rise addiction really conquer nature? Presented by Keith Keaveney.

5. E5. Q1, Australian Gold Coast

   Jul 29, 2009 · 30m

   Surfer's Paradise has come a long way from a small town with great waves perched on the south-east coast of Australia. Surfer's has a growing reputation as the resort of choice for the rich and famous, and the skyline is growing too with the massive Q1 Tower dominating the landscape. But how has this uber-skyscraper effected the paradise that is Surfer's? Presented by Keith Keaveney. Architects: The Sunland Group

6. E6. Cira Centre, Philadelphia

   Jul 29, 2009 · 30m

   You’re a new developer, you want to build a tower in a bleak part of town and you’ve got to fill half the building before you get planning permission. What do you do? Get in a Superstar Architect to ensure your skyscraper gets noticed and gets headlines. Cesar Pelli waved his magic design wand over the Cira Center and made it stand apart from any other high rise in the area. But are celebrity architects over paid and over hyped? Presented by Keith Keaveney. Architects: Cesar Pelli and Associates

+10 more episodes — open all seasons to browse every episode.