France: A New Shape for the Eiffel Tower
By MIKE NIZZA
Published: March 25, 2008
The Eiffel Tower has always had its critics. As it greeted the world in the 19th century, phrases like “useless and monstrous,” “arrogant ironmongery,” “black factory chimney” and “disgraceful skeleton” poured forth, though none stopped it from becoming one of the most recognizable and beloved structures in the world. In 2006, 6.7 million people visited, a record.
Now the tower seems ready for another round of discord. According to The Guardian, the Société Nouvelle d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel, the company that manages the landmark, has decided to restructure the viewing platform temporarily as part of preparations for the tower’s 120th anniversary next year. Serero Architects, a Paris firm, will do the redesign, left, the report said, and in the process change the tower’s unmistakable outline.
The observation deck will be bolted 905 feet above ground “without requiring any modification of the existing structure,” according to the architects. Floor space will be doubled, easing crowd problems and relieving long waits. But critics are already fretting that the crowds will dissipate along with the awe-extinguishing addition. The temporary nature of the deck expansion means that it will not need to stand the test of time. It also means that it will not have much time to win over critics, a number of whom are starting to come into view.
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Oh thank god it's temporary