San Francisco's Millennium Tower: A Sinking Feeling, But Hopefully Not a Punchline
Ah, San Francisco. Home of sourdough bread, cable cars, and apparently, buildings that develop a sudden fondness for the earth's core. Yes, you read that right. San Francisco has a skyscraper with a penchant for playing ?ू?ि?? (bh?migata - Hindi for underground) explorer: the Millennium Tower.
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| What Building Is Sinking In San Francisco |
A Tower with a Downward Trajectory (Literally)
This luxurious high-rise went from "million-dollar views" to "millimeter-closer-to-the-basement views" in 2016 when it was discovered to be both sinking and tilting. Not exactly the brochure boast they were going for.
The culprit? Well, that's a bit of a mystery. Some finger an underground parking garage that wasn't there in the original plans, while others whisper about the weight of all those fancy apartments filled with gold-plated sinks and solid diamond doorknobs (okay, maybe not that extreme, but you get the picture).
QuickTip: Repeat difficult lines until they’re clear.
The Great San Francisco Sinkhole Caper (Not Quite, But Almost)
Fear not, thrill-seekers! This isn't the plot of a cheesy disaster movie. The sinking is happening at a glacial pace, more like a slow-motion elevator ride to the center of the Earth than a dramatic plunge. But it's enough to raise an eyebrow (or two, if you're tilting with the building).
So, what's the big fix? Engineers are currently employing a fancy technique called "underpinning," which basically involves shoving a bunch of super strong supports under the building to prevent it from going full-on submarine. It's a complex process, but hey, at least they're not trying to duct tape the whole thing together (although that might explain the slightly crooked picture frames in some of the apartments).
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The Future of the Millennium Tower: Up, Down, or All Around?
Only time will tell if the underpinning works its magic. But one thing's for sure: the Millennium Tower has become a bit of a San Francisco landmark, albeit a slightly lopsided one.
Will it become a tourist attraction? "Come see the leaning tower of San Francisco! It's like Pisa, but with better weather and definitely not infested with pigeons!" (Though with all this talk of sinking, who knows what the future holds for the local pigeon population?)
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FAQ: You Asked, We (Kind of) Answered!
How to visit the Millennium Tower? While not exactly a tourist destination (yet), you can still admire the tower from afar. Just remember, no pointing and laughing!
How to avoid a sinking feeling in San Francisco? Stick to the terra firma and enjoy the amazing city without worrying about the ground giving way beneath you.
Tip: Read once for gist, twice for details.
How to become an expert on the Millennium Tower saga? The internet is your friend! A quick Google search will provide you with hours of fascinating (and slightly concerning) reading material.
How to underpin a building? Leave that to the professionals! Underpinning is a complex engineering feat, not a DIY project.
How to keep your apartment from sinking? Make sure you're not accidentally storing a black hole in your closet. Otherwise, you're probably good.
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