Eric Williams Plaza
| Eric Williams Plaza | |
|---|---|
Eric Williams Plaza in Port of Spain, Trinidad
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| General information | |
| Type | Office |
| Location | Independence Square, Port of Spain, Trinidad, Trinidad and Tobago |
| Coordinates | 10°38′56″N 61°30′45″W / 10.6489°N 61.5124°WCoordinates: 10°38′56″N 61°30′45″W / 10.6489°N 61.5124°W |
| Construction started | 1979 |
| Completed | March 26, 1986 |
| Height | |
| Roof | 92.05 metres (302 ft) |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 22 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Anthony C. Lewis Partnership |
Eric Williams Plaza, also known as the Eric Williams Financial Complex, located on Independence Square, Port of Spain, consists of two of the tallest buildings in Trinidad and Tobago, as well as in the English-speaking Caribbean. It consists of a pair of skyscrapers 22 stories high and 302 ft (92 m) tall, locally known as the "Twin Towers". Construction on the complex started in 1979 and ended in 1986. The complex was officially opened on March 29, 1986. The architect who managed the construction was Anthony C. Lewis Partnership.
The Eric Williams Plaza was named after Eric Williams, the first prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago. The first tower houses the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago while the second tower houses the Ministry of Finance. The first tower's official name is Eric Williams Financial Tower and the second tower's official name is the Central Bank Tower. The building surrounding the towers is the old Central Bank. The old Central Bank building has gold and currency vaults, administrative areas, an auditorium and a concert hall. It is one of the finest facilities in the country. It is also part of the complex. Both towers contain building security, communications, and life-safety systems.
The towers have an earthquake resistant design. The cross braces and core walls in both towers are designed to take earthquake forces with the former taking 15% of the forces and the latter taking 85%. Additionally, great care was taken in the detailing of the reinforcement. The thickness of the basement under each tower is 25'. The pile cap under each tower is a cellular raft which is a combination of 9' × 6' beams and an 18" slab. Water storage for the complex is located in the basements of the towers.
The building is located on the Brian Lara Promenade, Independence Square (formerly Marine Square) in downtown Port of Spain. It was the tallest building in Trinidad and Tobago until the Nicholas Tower was constructed by businessman Issa Nicholas.
From 1993 to January 1999, the office of the Prime Minister was housed here; in 1999 it was returned to the Whitehall.
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