Ryugyong Hotel in Pyongyang stands out on the Pyongyang skyline in 2009

One of the world’s largest hotels, the massive Ryugyong Hotel in Pyongyang, is nearly ready to welcome guests after nearly two decades in the making, according to Architizer. (photos and video)

 

The pyramid-shaped hotel, the largest structure in North Korea and one of the tallest hotels in the world, will open in 2012, 33 years after it was originally set to accept guests.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0r0fM31BXKk[/youtube]

Construction on the project was stalled for 15 years until 2008, when Egyptian conglomerate Orascom committed $400 million to finishing it, Architizer reported.

The tower’s sleek and shiny facade was finally completed this year.

Ready to open in 2012

The hotel, which has more than 3,000 rooms, will reportedly have five revolving restaurants. It is the only hotel in the world with more than 100 stories, though the Emirates Park Towers, which opened in Dubai this year, is technically taller.

North Korea’s Kumgang tourist district is also apparently ramping up on its efforts to attract tourists. The country reportedly agreed to allow foreign entities to invest in the troubled resort area in May.

The hulking concrete pyramid sat untouched for more than a decade.

Via Business Insider