Vietnam is getting a vertical makeover. British architecture firm Atkins, in collaboration with engineering group Arup, has recently commenced building a new skyscraper on the banks of the Saigon River in Ho Chi Minh City. Once completed, the 1,509-foot structure will be the tallest in Vietnam, exceeding the height of such international landmarks as the Willis Tower in Chicago (1,451 feet) and Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (1,483 feet).

Along with height, the structure will boast an unusual design: The base is a single square volume, but as the building rises, it appears to segment into 25 thinner sections of various heights. Gardens will cover the roofs of the shorter segments. The glass-encased skyscraper, due to be completed in 2017, will include multiple types of spaces, such as a luxury hotel, apartment units, and shops.