Grupo Petra Inaugurates Petra Tower, Paraguay's Tallest Building
- Carlos E. Gimenez
- 2 hours ago
- 5 min read
Petra Tower represents an unprecedented achievement in Paraguayan engineering, combining design, innovation, and technology in the tallest tower ever built in the country.
With an event that brought together prominent figures from the public and private sectors, Grupo Petra officially inaugurated Petra Tower, the tallest building in Paraguay and a new icon of the Asunción skyline. The ceremony was attended by Mr. Connor McEnroy, president of Banco Sudameris; Sofía Cartes, president of CECON; Dr. Raúl Latorre, president of the Honorable Chamber of Deputies; the mayor of Asunción, Luis Bello; as well as investors, clients, representatives of TECINCI, directors, managers, and collaborators of the development group.
The opening of Petra Tower marks a historic milestone for Paraguayan engineering and architecture, consolidating the vision of a modern, ambitious Asunción in sync with the region's major capitals. At 179 meters tall and with 43 levels, the project redefines the urban skyline and symbolizes a new stage of evolution for the capital.
During the event, the president of the Petra Group, Carlos Guasti, highlighted the symbolic and technical significance of the project: “Today, Asunción receives a new legacy. It is the beginning of a modern Asunción, a city we have been dreaming of for many years and that is now becoming a reality. This tower is the beginning of a new era and the starting point for many other projects to come. It is the beginning of an Asunción that is in tune with the cities of the region.”
Petra Tower represents the culmination of a sustained growth process that has accompanied the group's trajectory since its inception. Over the course of nearly a decade, Grupo Petra took on new challenges, evolving from smaller-scale residential buildings to large-scale projects such as Ágora and Fórum Molas López, which marked a turning point in the verticalization of the city. With Petra Tower, that vision reached its peak, consolidating the dream of building the tallest building in the country.
Conceived in 2021, Petra Tower was born as a high-impact urban and technological project, developed with the advice of international experts in high-rise structures and architectural design. These experts include professionals with experience in the skyscrapers of Balneário Camboriú, a Brazilian city known for housing the tallest residential buildings in South America, and in the Sena Tower, considered one of the tallest in its category in the world.
One of the project's most innovative contributions was the collaboration with the University of Genoa (Italy), which participated in the building's aerodynamic study through wind tunnel testing and the development of sensors installed on different floors to measure wind behavior at high altitudes. This initiative generated unprecedented information for the country, which will serve as a reference for future large-scale projects.
The building's construction posed unprecedented technical challenges for the local industry. CECON, the company in charge of the concreting, had to design a new type of mix and logistics to pump concrete to a height of more than 170 meters, a procedure never before attempted in Paraguay. Furthermore, the elevators, construction equipment, and transportation systems were adapted to operate in extreme conditions, establishing new standards of safety and efficiency.
Petra Tower incorporates advanced digital monitoring systems that allow real-time monitoring of water tanks, electric generators, and fuel levels. A French-sourced power distribution system was also implemented, a technology used in high-end corporate buildings that distributes power through encapsulated busbars, reducing the risk of fire and electromagnetic interference. This system, installed in partnership with the National Electricity Administration (ANDE), makes Petra Tower the first residential building in the country with this level of energy automation.
In terms of security, the tower is equipped with hydrants on all floors, pressurized emergency systems, and continuous monitoring of the facilities, positioning it as a benchmark in vertical infrastructure.
The building's architectural design balances functionality, aesthetics, and technology, with a structure designed to optimize the residential and urban experience. The first six levels are designated for parking, ensuring capacity, accessibility, and safety for both owners and visitors.
The building has 199 apartments distributed across two large segments. Two-bedroom units are located on levels 8 to 26, designed for families and residents seeking greater space and comfort. On floors 28 to 42, studio and one-bedroom units are located, geared toward young professionals and short-term rentals.
On the 27th floor is the Kessel restaurant, a first-class dining experience open to the public and offering one of the most impressive views of Asunción. This same level also houses a pool and a children's play area, providing a recreational and meeting space for residents and visitors. The 43rd floor houses another level of amenities, with a panoramic gym, two indoor barbecue areas and a semi-open barbecue area, a pool, and a smart mini-market that allows shopping via facial recognition (Face ID) and credit card payments, designed exclusively for residents.
This segmentation responds to a planning approach that seeks to integrate different user profiles within a single complex, harmonizing lifestyles and housing needs in a vertical environment that redefines the experience of living in the city.
Petra Tower also incorporates a Building Management System (BMS), which digitally monitors all building services, offering owners centralized control over consumption and maintenance.
Although Petra Tower received international consulting, its entire development, design, and execution were carried out by Paraguayan engineers, architects, and technicians. From the product's conception to its final construction, the project was executed with national labor and under the direction of Cronos, a Petra Group company dedicated to the design, planning, and supervision of construction projects.
The group, which currently comprises nine companies, encompasses various areas of the real estate business: Petra Urbana and Invicta as developers; Asunción Apartment, Ciudad Modelo, Remax Urbana, and Hestia, focused on commercial management and rentals; Cikla, dedicated to recycling and waste management; and Alma, responsible for the complete furnishings of the units, amenities, and common areas of the building.
Grupo Petra's vision is now geared toward the development of mixed-use projects, such as Petra Imperiale and Invicta Mariscal, which integrate housing, offices, entertainment, and services in a single complex. "Our goal is to provide comprehensive urban solutions that address people's daily lives within a single space. We want Asunción to grow not only in height, but also in quality of life," said the group's president.
The concept of "rebuilding Asunción" permeates the company's philosophy. With more than 2.7 million inhabitants in the metropolitan area and just 600,000 residents in the capital, the group seeks to promote projects that encourage people to stay and enjoy urban life in the city, creating a more active, livable, and sustainable environment.
With its imposing 179-meter structure, cutting-edge technology, and comprehensive design, Petra Tower not only redefines Asunción's skyline but also positions Paraguayan engineering at a new level of regional excellence.
The building stands as a symbol of modernity, resilience, and a vision for the future, the result of collaborative efforts between Paraguayan companies, institutions, professionals, and hundreds of collaborators who participated in its construction.
For Grupo Petra, the tower represents more than just an architectural work: it is a declaration of principles and a symbol of collective achievement. Its development reflects the capacity of Paraguayan talent to tackle complex challenges, incorporate innovation, and raise quality standards at all levels. With this project, the company reaffirms its commitment to urban progress and a vision for a country that looks to the future with determination.
With the opening of Petra Tower, Asunción takes a firm step toward the future, consolidating its transformation into a city that looks upward, but with its feet firmly planted in the talent and capacity of its people.
