Italian developer Parsitalia Real Estate has unveiled plans for the development of the first residential skyscraper in Rome.

Italian developer Parsitalia Real Estate has unveiled plans for the development of the first residential skyscraper in Rome.

At 120 metres, the Eurosky tower is being erected adjacent to the new 50,000-m2 Euroma 2 shopping centre in the Eur business district of the city. On completion in 2014-2015, the luxury residential scheme will offer 27,000 m2 of space over 28 storeys including a fitness and spa area as well as a small cinema.

'This is not only the highest tower [in Rome] but also an example of safety, energy efficiency and high-quality housing,' commented Luca Parnasi, chief executive of Parsitalia Real Estate, at the Expo Italia Real Estate conference in Milan.

Eurosky, one of the few large developments currently under way in the capital, will incorporate the latest devices in terms of energy efficiency and anti-seismic technology.

Architect Franco Purini said the design was inspired by the medieval towers in the historic cente of the city. 'High-rise buildings are nothing new in Rome's history,' he noted. 'I hope that other, similar projects will follow this one, re-introducing a tradition into the city.'