The Surat Diamond Bourse has become the world’s largest office complex, surpassing even the Pentagon. This colossal establishment accommodates 4,500 diamond trading offices and a workforce of 67,000 professionals.
Spanning a massive 6.7 million square feet (35.54 acres), the Surat Diamond Bourse stands as a monumental office building, exceeding the Pentagon in size. Its construction cost amounts to Rs 3400 crore (USD 400 Million) and it was designed by Manit Rastogi, the founding partner of Morphogenesis, following an international design competition.
Key Features of the Building Complex
- Comprising nine interconnected buildings linked by a 24 feet-wide spine corridor, each soaring 15 storeys high alongside a ground floor.
- Occupying 35.54 acres, the complex hosts 4,500 diamond trading offices catering to 67,000 professionals, including cutters, polishers, and traders.
- Offices range from 300 to 75,000 square feet, complemented by a 2 million square feet parking area in the basement.
- Security measures include highly secured campus checkpoints, CCTV surveillance, control rooms, public announcement systems, and under car scanners at entry gates.
Eco-friendly Design
- The Surat Diamond Bourse holds a prestigious platinum ranking from the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC). Its design incorporates wind funneling through the central spine and radiant cooling, maintaining lower indoor temperatures through chilled water circulation beneath the floors.
- The offices overlook landscape courts embodying the ‘Panchtatva‘ concept, symbolizing the five elements.
Facilities Offered
- The complex boasts diverse facilities such as safe deposit vaults, conference and multi-purpose halls, restaurants, banks, customs clearance house, convention and exhibition centers, training facilities, entertainment zones, restaurants, and a club, all backed by comprehensive security plans.
- Additionally, it includes a recreational area adaptable for meetings.
- To make parking and travel smoother, there’s a massive 20 lakh square feet basement for organized vehicle parking. The traffic flow is designed for one-way movement on the internal roads around the perimeter, with separate entry and exit points.
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Security and Surveillance
- The building features strategically positioned security lobbies, prioritizing safety and efficient access throughout the premises.
- Security measures include highly secure checkpoints at all entrances and exits, comprehensive CCTV surveillance, dedicated control rooms, public announcement systems, and the provision of under car scanners at entry gates.
- Additionally, the facility is equipped with a state-of-the-art Digitally Integrated Fire Protection System that complies with the latest standards.
Inauguration of Surat Diamond Bourse
After a 4 years construction period, partially hindered by Covid-related delays, the Surat Diamond Bourse is set to commence operations on December 21, 2023. The official inauguration is graced by the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 17, 2023.