The Surat Diamond Bourse has overtaken the Pentagon to emerge as the largest office space in the world
Surat, a city in India that boasts of making 90 per cent of the world’s diamonds, is now home to the largest office in the world. Called Surat Diamond Bourse, the massive engineering marvel has replaced the United States Department of Defense headquarters – the Pentagon. Spread across 6.6 million square feet, this 15-storied complex has nine buildings in the area of 35 acres, according to multiple media reports.
The nine buildings have office spaces that range in size from 300 sq ft to 75,000 sq ft, which can easily accommodate 67,000 professionals at a time, along with 125 lifts. The diamond house, which will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is expected to provide employment directly to 1.5 lakh people. Amenities like conference hall, club, banquet hall, health club and restaurant etc are also part of this enormous office complex.
Around 90 per cent of the world’s diamonds are cut in Surat and this bourse has been termed as ‘one-stop destination’ for over 65,000 diamond professionals. They include cutters, polishers and traders. The complex features a succession of nine rectangular structures spilling out from a central “spine” and is also interconnected by the same. It is said to have its first occupants in November later this year after PM Modi inaugurates the complex.
The office spaces can also double as small workshops for cutting and polishing diamonds and has marble floors and light-filled atriums. Mahesh Gadhavi, CEO of Surat Diamond Bourse project, said that this shall save thousands of people from traveling to Mumbai for business. This iconic building has been designed by Indian architecture firm Morphogenesis and the project’s size was dictated by demand.
According to the Morphogenesis’ website, this office building has been prepared with ‘state-of-the-art facilities’ which includes safe deposit vaults, customs clearance house, convention centre, exhibition centres, training centres, entertainment areas, restaurants and a club. This will cement Surat’s status has world’s largest diamond trading hub.
