In a significant milestone, the recently established Surat Diamond Bourse (SDB) has officially achieved recognition from the Guinness World Records as the world’s largest office building.
According to a statement released by Guinness on Tuesday, August 22nd, the expansive complex encompasses a remarkable 659,611 square meters (equivalent to 7.1 million square feet) of floor area, spanning across an extensive 35-acre plot of land. This achievement surpasses the dimensions of the renowned Pentagon in the United States, heretofore regarded as the largest office building globally. The Pentagon, serving as the headquarters for the US Department of Defense, boasts a slightly smaller floor space, measuring just over 6.6 million square feet.
The distinguished inauguration of the new bourse is scheduled for December 17th, with India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi poised to officiate the event. The construction of the SDB, an undertaking amounting to $388 million, stands poised to challenge the supremacy of Mumbai’s Bharat Diamond Bourse. Presently reigning as the world’s most extensive diamond bourse, the Bharat Diamond Bourse accommodates approximately 2,500 traders.
For years, Surat has reigned as a global hub for diamond manufacturing, responsible for processing over 90 percent of the world’s precious gemstones. However, the epicenter of the diamond trade has traditionally been situated in Mumbai, a journey of approximately five hours by car.
The architectural layout of the SDB comprises a series of nine interconnected towers, each soaring 15 stories high, all seamlessly linked to a central spine. Despite its vast proportions, visitors can traverse any section of the bourse from its entrance in a mere seven minutes, a testament to its meticulous planning and accessibility.
