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US-based architectural practice Morphosis has won an international competition to design a new tower for French property developer Unibal, in partnership with the Public Body for the Development of La Défense (EPAD), Paris, France.

The futuristic tower, called La Phare (The Lighthouse), forms the keystone to the redevelopment of the La Défense district, which is 3 km to the west of central Paris.

At 300 m high, the 68-storey tower, which will contain over 130000 m² of office space, will be the tallest tower in a cluster that aims to re-establish the district as a centre of world finance and business following stiff competition from other European cities, including Barcelona and London.

Construction is due to start this year and the € 929 million tower should be complete in 2012.