Surat Diamond Bourse in Gujarat surpasses Pentagon as world's largest office building

PTC Web Desk: Surat Diamond Bourse, a newly constructed office building in Gujarat, has surpassed the Pentagon in the United States to claim the title of the world's largest office building.

According to reports, this 15-story complex comprises nine interconnected rectangular buildings and a central spine. Spanning over 7.1 million square feet of floor space, Surat Diamond Bourse has been constructed at a cost of Rs 3,200 crore. It serves as a comprehensive hub for more than 65,000 diamond professionals, offering a one-stop solution for their needs.

According to a CNN report, the construction of Surat Diamond Bourse took approximately four years to complete. However, due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the project experienced a delay of two years. The building is scheduled to be officially inaugurated later this year, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi presiding over the opening ceremony. The first occupants are expected to move into the building in November.

According to CEO of Surat Diamond Bourse, Mahesh Gadhavi, the establishment of this large office space would provide significant time and resource savings for individuals who had to travel to Mumbai for diamond carrying operations on a daily basis.

Gadhavi, in an interview with CNN, mentioned that some people had to endure up to four hours of commuting each day from their homes to their offices and back. "Relocating businesses to Surat and having Surat Diamond Bourse as a centralised hub is seen as a much more favourable option, offering convenience and efficiency to diamond professionals," he said.

The design of the building

Surat Diamond Bourse, which has now surpassed Pentagon as the world's largest office building, has been designed by architectural firm Morphogenesis, which is based in New Delhi.

However, the CEO of the project made it clear that the size of the building was determined by the demand for office space rather than an intentional plan to surpass the Pentagon.

The building incorporates state-of-the-art features aimed at energy efficiency, making it eligible for a "platinum" rating from the Indian Green Building Council. It utilises a radiant cooling system that circulates chilled water beneath the floors, contributing to reduced indoor temperatures.

Besides, solar energy powers the common areas, and the offices are interconnected through a spacious central corridor, resembling the layout of an airport terminal. With a capacity to accommodate 4,700 office spaces and equipped with 131 elevators, Surat Diamond Bourse offers a modern and efficient working environment.

Take a virtual tour of the building