Baku Flame Towers

Perched above the Caspian Sea, the Baku Flame Towers rise as a symbol of the city’s identity and transformation. Drawing on Azerbaijan’s ancient reverence for fire and its modern growth in energy and technology, the project sought to create an architectural landmark that connects cultural heritage with contemporary urban life.

Design Solutions

HOK designed three curving, flame-shaped towers, each serving a distinct purpose, around a shared podium. The tallest, a 39-story residential tower on the south end, includes 130 luxury apartments with sweeping views of the sea and city. To the north, a 36-story hotel offers 318 guestrooms with a hospitality-first experience. The western tower houses more than 350,000 square feet of flexible, Class A commercial office space.

A multilevel retail podium links the towers and activates the base with dining, retail and entertainment amenities. This connected platform encourages interaction among residents, guests and professionals while grounding the complex in the daily rhythm of the city.

At night, dynamic LED lighting animates the facades, evoking the movement of flames and creating a shimmering visual link between the historic old city center below and the modern skyline above. Our design balances sculptural expression with technical precision, ensuring the towers function as both architectural icons and high-performing buildings suited to Baku’s climate and context.

Azinko Development M.M.C. led the Baku Flame Towers project. HOK was the architect, with DIA Holdings serving as design-build contractor and Hill International providing project management.

Impact

The Flame Towers have become a defining feature of Baku’s skyline and a catalyst for further investment in the city’s urban core. The project established a new benchmark for iconic architecture in Azerbaijan, demonstrating how architecture can express cultural identity while supporting modern lifestyles and commerce.