A colossal 807ft tower in Germany looms high above a stunning forest landscape – but nobody lives in it.
The TK Elevator Testturm opened in 2017 on the eastern edge of the country’s Black Forest region, close to the medieval town of Rottweil.
Built by engineering firm TK Elevator, the massive structure has attracted attention for its unique appearance and lack of windows.
It doesn’t house flats or office spaces and is used solely for testing lifts. Within its spiralling opaque walls are 12 shafts where teams of engineers test the next generation of elevator tech.
According to the company’s website, the team can test elevator speeds of up to 18 meters per second.
TK Elevator’s MULTI system is among the most intriguing tests underway. It harnesses the power of magnetic levitation, or maglev, to move elevator cabins both horizontally and vertically.
But though you can’t take in the dramatic Black Forest scenery from a penthouse apartment, there is an observation deck that is the tallest in Germany and open to the public.
As you’d expect, the elevator ride from ground level to the top of the research facility is pretty quick.
The tower manager Beate Höhnle told CNN: “In 30 seconds, visitors are taken to a height of 761 feet. The ride has a speed of 26 feet per second and, on a clear day, visitors are able to see the Swiss Alps.”
Tickets are between €5 and €9 (around £4.16 and £7.49) depending on your age and disability status.
Family tickets – including a maximum of two adults and three children – are €26 (£21.62). You can also get a season pass for €45 (£37.42).
Other unusual towers testing lift tech have appeared around the world, including 848ft H1 Tower in Guangzhou, China, built by Japanese company Gitachi.
Finnish firm Kone built its first test tower in Hyvinkää in 1967 and remains a major player.
It’s since built four more, including one in Kunshan, China, which opened in 2015 and stands at 773 feet, according to CNN.
