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Flickr: Toby Simkin
China's controversial yet spectacular CCTV building has officially reached completion, the AP reports .
It's been taken an incredible ten years of building, but the twisted tower is now at the center of Beijing's architecture boom.
Dutch architectural firm OMA — headed by Ole Scheeren and Rem Koolhaas — debuted the design a decade ago.
China Photos / Getty
The firm were so excited by the project that they decided to concentrate on it over the World Trade Center bid, due for around the same time.
Flickr: Rude Noon
The building, designed to house state TV channel CCTV, has had its detractors.
China Photos / Getty
Its novel design — which saw one corner apparently dangling unsupported — left many wondering if it would collapse
Guang Niu / Getty
That unusual design also earned the building the nickname of "big boxer shorts" amongst locals.
Feng Li / Getty
Even worse, Rem Koolhaus actually had to formally deny rumors it was designed to resemble female sex organs.
Flickr: Antoine 49
CCTV say they chose the design because it represents "the importance and the cultural nature of the TV industry."
Flickr: Rude Noon
That shape is meant to be a re-imagining of the skyscraper — the building is relatively short at just 51 floors.
China Photos / Getty
However, it is still enormous, with almost as much office space as the Pentagon.
China Photos / Getty
Disaster struck in 2009 when a nearby building on the complex caught alight.
Andrew Wong / Getty
While the main building survived unscathed, a firefighter died in the blaze, which was caused by an illegal firework display ordered by CCTV executives.
Feng Li / Getty
The charred remains of that building can be seen in this photo.
ChinaFotoPress / Getty
But the main building is finally complete, even if it is sometimes a little bit of a contrast with its surroundings.
Flickr: Rude Noon
