The architectural "locomotive" of the capital and a symbol of Kazakhstan's steel highways -
The building of the national company "Kazakhstan Temir Zholy" (KTZ) is a monumental ensemble symbolizing the power and strategic importance of the railway industry.
Located on the left bank of the Ishim, the complex effectively connects the busy Kunayev Street and the pedestrian Nurzhol Boulevard. Its futuristic silhouette, widening toward the top and crowned with a steel spire, has become a recognizable landmark of the business center, embodying Kazakhstan's ambitions as a key logistics hub of Eurasia.
The KTZ building is not just an office, but a complex engineering mechanism. Thanks to panoramic glazing and the largest media facade in the country, the skyscraper transforms into a giant information center shining over the capital during the dark hours.
The project reflects the company's transition to a new era of digitalization and global integration, providing management of a multi-thousand-kilometer road network from a single high-tech center.
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How to get there and visit -
The KTZ administrative center is located at: 6 Kunayev St., left bank of the Ishim River, Nurzhol Boulevard, Yesil district, Astana city, Republic of Kazakhstan.
GPS coordinates: 51°07'45"N 71°26'18"E
The complex is located within walking distance of the Nur Astana Mosque and the Keruen shopping mall.
You can reach it by buses No. 10, 12, 21, 28, 29, 29A, 35, 70 (stops "Northern Lights RC" or "Emerald Towers").
Convenient access roads and parking zones integrated into the city infrastructure are provided for employees and visitors.
Opening hours: Monday – Friday from 09:00 to 18:30 (break from 12:30 to 14:00) (Saturday – Sunday are non-working days)
Contacts: unified information service 14 – 33
Official KTZ website
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History
The construction of the KTZ headquarters began in the mid-2000s and was completed in 2009. This project became a source of special pride as it was fully implemented by Kazakhstani companies.
Construction took place in the most difficult hydrogeological conditions: due to the proximity of groundwater (only 2.5 m), builders had to use 50 powerful pumps daily. The volume of pumped-out water – 66,000 cubic meters – is comparable to thirty Olympic swimming pools.
To ensure the stability of the 175-meter structure, 1,600 reinforced concrete supports, each 14 meters long, were installed in a 7-meter pit, over which a two-meter foundation was poured.
Since its opening on the eve of Capital Day, the building held the status of one of the tallest in Astana for a long time, yielding leadership only to the "Abu Dhabi Plaza" complex. Over the years, the complex has become the center of KTZ's transformation into a global transport and logistics holding.
Information
The complex, with a total area of 110,000 sq. m, consists of an 8-story main stylobate building from which two towers, 37 and 40 stories high, grow. The total height of the building, including the 17-meter lightning rod spire, is 174.5 meters. The towers have a semi-circular cross-section and are shifted relative to each other, creating a dynamic visual effect. Transition bridges are provided between the high-rises at different levels.
The technical equipment of the building meets world standards: 18 high-speed elevators are installed here, and an "intelligent building" system has been implemented. The infrastructure includes a modern dispatch center with video-satellite communication for monitoring the entire railway network of Kazakhstan, a universal conference hall for 799 seats with professional sound and light equipment, VIP reception halls, canteens, gyms, and recreation areas for personnel.
Detailed description of the object
The KTZ building impresses with its scale and functionality. Its facades, executed in a navy-blue palette, symbolize the sky and the endless path. A huge media facade, repeating the cone-shaped form of the towers, is a unique advertising and information platform visible from many points on the left bank.
Inside the complex, there are dozens of specialized meeting rooms equipped with digital conference systems with simultaneous translation and interactive panels.
Special attention is paid to comfort: the three-story foyer is filled with light thanks to transparent walls and an innovative roof. For cultural events, the main hall is equipped with Midas concert sound and Source Four lighting fixtures, creating a theatrical atmosphere.
This is a true "city within a city," where tasks of state importance are solved – from managing cargo flows between China and Europe to developing high-speed passenger traffic.
Architecture
The architectural concept of KTZ is built on the principle of "organic high-tech." Two towers growing from a single base resemble chain links or rails pointing upward. Asymmetry and panoramic glazing give the massive structure a sense of lightness.
The engineering solution with 1,600 piles and a monolithic core guarantees the building's safety in strong wind conditions. The project demonstrates the maturity of the Kazakhstani architectural school, which has managed to combine national scale with international requirements for Class A office centers.
Legend
Among KTZ employees, there is a legend about the "Golden Rail." They say that when the foundation was laid, a symbolic part blessed by the oldest railway workers was placed into the base of the building so that trains would always return home.
The people call the building the "Lighter" not only because of its shape but also because it "lights" the lights in the windows when the night shift of dispatchers begins across the country. It is believed that if you see an image of a running train on the media facade and manage to make a wish for a journey, it will surely come true within a month.
Old-timers say that the building's spire works like an antenna catching the rhythm of movement of all trains from Dostyk to the Caspian, creating a special energy of speed and success in the offices.
For citizens, the light of this building is a sign that the country's main arteries are pulsing confidently and rhythmically.
Interesting landmarks nearby:
• Korme Exhibition Center;
• Keruen Shopping and Entertainment Center;
• Ak Orda Presidential Residence;
• Abu Nasir Al-Farabi Mosque;
• Khan Shatyr Entertainment Center;
• Lovers' Park;
• Round Square.
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