Nakhjavani Tower
| Nakhjavani Tower | |
برج نخجوانی | |
| General information | |
|---|---|
| Status | Complete |
| Type | Commercial office tower |
| Architectural style | Modern steel and glass |
| Location |
 Pax, Oportia |
| Address | 1 Nakhjavani Plaza, Central Business District, Pax |
| Construction started | 1723 AN |
| Completed | 1728 AN |
| Cost | 2.8 billion Oportian Mérite |
| Owner | Nakhjavani Development Corporation |
| Management | Pax Commercial Properties |
| Height | |
| Tip | 301 meters (987 feet) |
| Roof | 288 meters (945 feet) |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 72 |
| Floor area | 185,000 square meters |
| Lifts/elevators | 24 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Baudelaire, Kincaid, & Associates |
| Structural engineer | Oportian Engineering Consortium |
| Main contractor | ESB Construction |
| Other information | |
| Parking | 1,200 vehicles (underground) |
| Public transit access | Pax Metro System - Nakhjavani Station |
Nakhjavani Tower (Babkhi: برج نخجوانی) is a 72-story commercial skyscraper located in the Central Business District of Pax, Oportia. Standing at 301 meters (987 feet) tall, it is the tallest building in Pax and the third-tallest in Oportia, after towers in Vanie and Port de Huile. The tower serves as a major commercial hub, housing numerous international corporations, government agencies, and financial institutions.
The building is particularly notable for hosting regional headquarters of major CATO member corporations and serving as a primary office complex for the Department of Internal Security, making it one of the most strategically important buildings in Oportia.
History
The Nakhjavani Tower project was conceived in 1721 AN during the administration of Celine Beaumont as part of Pax's urban modernization initiative. The project aimed to establish Pax as a major business center in southeastern Oportia and provide modern office space for the growing number of international companies seeking to establish operations in the region.
The tower's name honors Mirza Nakhjavani, a prominent Babkhi merchant and philosopher who established one of the first major trading posts in the area that would later become Pax. Construction began in 1723 AN under the direction of ESB Construction, with initial funding provided by a consortium of Oportian investors led by the Nakhjavani Development Corporation. The project received additional backing from Natopian and New Alexandrian investment firms, reflecting growing international confidence in Oportia's economic stability.
Construction challenges
The construction phase faced significant challenges, including the Recession of 1737 which temporarily halted work for six months. Construction resumed in early 1738 AN with additional financing from the Oportian Infrastructure Development Bank. The project also encountered technical difficulties related to the building's advanced security systems, required due to its planned use by sensitive government agencies.
Despite these setbacks, the tower was completed on schedule in 1728 AN, with the official opening ceremony conducted by Federal Representative Francisco Valverde on 15.III.1728 AN.
Architecture and design
The tower was designed by Baudelaire, Kincaid, & Associates, a Vanie-based architectural firm known for their work on several major Oportian government buildings. The design features a distinctive steel and glass facade with Babkhi-inspired geometric patterns incorporated into the building's exterior metalwork.
The building's base consists of a five-story podium housing retail spaces, restaurants, and a public atrium. The tower portion rises directly from this base, with a slight tapering that begins at the 45th floor. The structure culminates in a distinctive spire that serves both aesthetic and functional purposes, housing telecommunications equipment for government agencies.
The building incorporates numerous sustainable design elements, including a rainwater collection system, energy-efficient lighting throughout, and a green roof garden on the 30th floor that serves as both an environmental feature and an amenity space.
Tenants and usage
Government agencies
The Department of Internal Security occupies floors 45-53 of the tower, making it the building's largest single tenant. These floors house the department's regional operations center, intelligence analysis units, and administrative offices serving central Oportia. The department's presence requires enhanced security measures throughout the building, including restricted elevator access and specialized surveillance systems.
Other government tenants include regional offices of the Department of Finance and Economic Affairs (floors 15-18) and the Department of State's Consular Services Division (floors 12-14).
International corporations
The tower hosts regional headquarters for numerous multinational corporations, particularly those with significant operations in CATO member nations. Major corporate tenants include:
- Javelin Industries - Defense contractor with headquarters on floors 35-40;
- ESB-Jörmungandr Group, Inc. - Technology and engineering conglomerate occupying floors 25-29;
- Pontecorvo Firm - Advanced manufacturing and aerospace company on floors 20-24;
- ClipWave - Digital media and communications company with offices on floors 8-11;
- Sarbanes-Lopez CyberSecurity - Information security firm located on floors 55-58.
Financial services
The building's proximity to Pax's financial district has attracted several major banking and investment firms. The Litora Financial Group maintains a significant regional presence on floors 60-65, while the Banque Nationale d'Oportie operates a commercial banking center on floors 4-7.
Security and infrastructure
Due to its high-profile government and corporate tenants, Nakhjavani Tower incorporates extensive security measures. The building features multiple vehicle checkpoints, advanced biometric access controls, and blast-resistant construction in critical areas. A dedicated security command center on the 53rd floor coordinates with both building security and government protective services.
The tower's telecommunications infrastructure includes secure communication systems for government agencies and redundant internet connectivity for commercial tenants. Emergency systems include multiple backup power generators and a comprehensive evacuation system designed to handle the building's large occupant load.
Adjacent infrastructure
Nakhjavani Communications Facility
Directly adjacent to the main tower stands the Nakhjavani Communications Facility (NCF), a distinctive 29-story windowless concrete structure that forms an integral part of the Nakhjavani Tower complex. Completed simultaneously with the main tower in 1728 AN, the facility serves as a critical telecommunications and data processing center for both government and commercial operations.
The brutalist concrete structure, standing 145 meters (476 feet) tall, was designed by the same architectural team as the main tower but employs a radically different aesthetic approach. Its fortress-like appearance features minimal external openings and heavy concrete construction designed to provide electromagnetic shielding and enhanced security. The building's exterior is marked only by small ventilation grilles and a series of microwave transmission dishes mounted on its roof.
Design and purpose
The Communications Facility houses critical infrastructure for Oportia's national telecommunications network, including fiber optic switching equipment, satellite communication systems, and secure data centers. The Department of Internal Security operates a classified signals intelligence facility within the structure, though specific details of these operations remain undisclosed.
The building's windowless design provides protection against electromagnetic interference, ensures climate control for sensitive equipment, and maintains operational security for classified communications systems. The structure can operate independently of external power sources for up to 72 hours using internal diesel generators located in basement levels.
Commercial tenants in the main tower benefit from the facility's advanced telecommunications infrastructure, which provides some of the most sophisticated data connectivity available in central Oportia. Major corporations like ESB-Jörmungandr Group, Inc. and Sarbanes-Lopez CyberSecurity specifically chose locations in Nakhjavani Tower due to access to these communication capabilities.
Security considerations
The Communications Facility operates under heightened security protocols that exceed even those of the main tower. Access is strictly controlled through multiple security checkpoints, and the building maintains its own dedicated security force. Vehicle barriers and surveillance systems create a protective perimeter around both structures.
The facility's robust construction and security features have made it a rather imposing presence, generating significant controversy among Pax residents who view the windowless structure as architecturally incompatible with the city's urban planning goals.
Economic impact
Nakhjavani Tower has significantly contributed to Pax's economic development since its opening. The building directly employs approximately 12,000 people and has attracted additional businesses to the surrounding area. Economic studies estimate that the tower generates over 800 million Oportian Mérite annually in direct and indirect economic activity for the Pax metropolitan area.
The presence of major international corporations has enhanced Pax's reputation as a business destination and facilitated increased foreign investment in the region. The building's success has prompted plans for additional high-rise development in Pax's Central Business District.
Transportation
The tower is served by the Pax Metro System through Nakhjavani Station, which connects directly to the building's underground levels. This station is one of the busiest on the Pax Metro network, handling over 50,000 passengers daily. The building also features extensive underground parking facilities accommodating 1,200 vehicles.
Bus rapid transit connections and taxi services provide additional transportation options, while the building's proximity to Pax International Airport makes it easily accessible for international business travelers.
Cultural significance
Beyond its commercial importance, Nakhjavani Tower has become an iconic symbol of Pax's emergence as a major urban center. The building frequently appears in Oportian media and serves as a backdrop for major civic events. Its distinctive spire is illuminated during national holidays and significant occasions.
The tower's public spaces, including the ground-floor atrium and 30th-floor garden, host cultural events and art exhibitions that celebrate Pax's diverse heritage. These spaces have become popular gathering places for both building occupants and the general public.
