It is not often that a hotel can be called a city landmark, but Hotel Kazakhstan is exactly that case. This building is not just a place to stay, but a true architectural symbol of the southern capital of Kazakhstan, recognizable on postcards, souvenirs, and even on the 5000 tenge banknote.
History of Hotel Kazakhstan`s Construction
The comprehensive development of Dostyk Avenue took place in the 1970s. The project for Hotel Kazakhstan was developed by architects from the design institute. Architect Yuri Ratushny believed that a high-rise building must be constructed on this site — otherwise, a low-rise structure could simply get lost in the cityscape.
Construction lasted from 1975 to 1977. Already in 1979, the building received the status of an architectural monument, and a year later, the group of project authors was awarded the State Prize of the Kazakh SSR.
An interesting detail: the famous "crown" on the roof was not originally in the project. It appeared because the elevator shaft rose above the building, and the architects decided to cover it with an aluminum cap. This is how the hotel`s recognizable silhouette was born.
Dimensions and Status of Hotel Kazakhstan
The height of Hotel Kazakhstan is 102 meters, with 26 floors. The total area of the building is almost 45 thousand square meters.
From 1977 to 2008, the hotel remained the tallest building in Almaty. In 2008, the record was broken by a skyscraper, but today the hotel still ranks among the top three tallest buildings in the city.
Construction in a Seismically Active Zone
For Almaty, which is located in an area of intense seismic activity, the construction of a 26-story hotel in the 1970s was considered a true engineering challenge. Hotel Kazakhstan became the first skyscraper in the Soviet Union built in a zone of 9-point seismicity.
The structural foundation of the building is a monolithic reinforced concrete core with transverse reinforced concrete diaphragms. The oval shape of the building is no coincidence: such geometry makes the structure significantly stronger.
But the most impressive details are related to the tests conducted before the facility was handed over. When the hotel was almost ready, institute staff brought vibration machines to the roof, which were supposed to shake the building, simulating an earthquake.
The creative team was so confident in their design that together with the inspectors they went up to the 25th floor. The building swayed from side to side so strongly that people could barely stand on their feet. But after the machines were stopped, not a single crack was found.
According to calculations, the hotel is capable of withstanding not only a 9-point but even a 10-point earthquake. This is confirmed by time: the building has already survived several earthquakes, and according to seismologists, there are no cracks on it.
Restaurant on the 26th Floor: The Best View of the City
On the 26th floor of Hotel Kazakhstan, there is a restaurant that guests can reach by high-speed elevator. The windows offer a panoramic view of the metropolis and the mountain ranges of the Trans-Ili Alatau. The sunsets are especially impressive — they are mesmerizing in their uniqueness and are considered one of Almaty`s calling cards. This is truly a unique opportunity to see the city from a bird`s-eye view.
What Else Is Worth Knowing About Hotel Kazakhstan
In the hotel lobby, a giant tapestry "Rainbow of Kazakhstan" has been hanging since the first day of operation, measuring 34 meters in length. It was created by a group of authors and in 1980 was awarded the State Prize of the Kazakh SSR.
Hotel Kazakhstan is not just a place to stay, but an architectural monument, engineering pride, and one of the main landmarks of Almaty, which is worth seeing even if you do not plan to stay there.
