Tallest Tower in Europe Left Without Lift

Europe's tallest residential building reaches 200 metres (650 ft) high - but residents might not make it to the top, due to an architectural design blunder.

Only the first 20 floors have access to a lift, leaving the 27 top floors without elevators.

Constructed in Benidorm, the Intempo skyscrapers were described as "a vision of the future" and an emblem of Spain overcoming the crushing recession it had suffered.

But it seems that the towers' ambitious developers have dug themselves into a small hole, as there is no more room for motor equipment or another lift, according to the country's El Pais newspaper.

27 Floors Left Without Elevator

The mathematical error is down to a quick evolution - the building was originally only designed to house 20 stories.

When it is finished, it is expected to be the tallest on the continent, the project's official website said. It will even have large garden and pool at the top.

But the lack of elevators isn't the first issue to have plagued the project.

Conceptualized during Spain's building boom in the last Nineties and early Noughties, the construction was scheduled to open back in 2009. Benidorm was even nicknamed "Beniyork."

After gaining access to documents, El Pais revealed the catastrophes that tormented the coastal village's largest project.

In 2010, construction workers had to navigate the tower on foot for months before a service lift was finally built after the completion of the first 23 stories. Not only that, but they worked without pay for four months, according to the newspaper.

In 2011, this lift that might have seemed like a god send at the time turned into a disaster, as it collapsed, injuring 13 employees.

In a bid to save money, the area around the construction site had not been cleared for vehicle access, making it difficult for the ambulances to treat the injured workers.

That brings us up to today where, in recent weeks, the architect team has left. Now the two towers stands at only 94 percent complete. Just over a third of the 269 units have been sold.

By the end of the year, when the towers are anticipated to be finished, the remaining flats will be sold at a reduced price.

At the moment, a one-bedroom apartment will set you back $475,459.

Image Copyright Wlohelsen (Courtesy of Flickr)