Enter the fascinating world of diamonds, where the city of Surat, in India, stands as the epicenter of this trade. Today, this nation stands out not only for its ancient legacy, but also for being the home of a modern emblem of commerce and architecture: the Surat Diamond Bourse ((SDB)the largest office complex in the world, which gives life to this dazzling market.
The Heart of the Diamond Market
When we think of diamonds, we probably imagine places like Antwerp or Tel Aviv. However, it is Surat, in the Indian state of Gujarat, that is the real titan in this sector. The city processes an astonishing figure: 90% of all the diamonds in the world. These precious stones, a symbol of luxury and sophistication, mostly pass through the expert hands of Surat craftsmen before adorning display cases and fingers all over the planet.
Surat: A Monument to Commercial Greatness
Located on a vast land measuring 300 meters by 800 meters, the Surat Diamond Exchange is not simply a building, but a complex of epic proportions. It consists of 9 towers rising up to 15 floors, all of them clad in glass facades.
Within this space, you will find 4,000 offices meticulously designed and segmented into offices that vary from 28 square meters to very large spaces of 10,000 square meters. Every day, approximately 65,000 people, from artisans to business magnates, will converge starting in November of this year at this venue, moving through its 131 elevators.
At an impressive 660,000 square meters, the Surat Diamond Exchange is not only the largest office complex in the world, but also holds the honor of surpassing the Pentagon itself in terms of office space. No small achievement for a city that has managed to place itself at the epicenter of the global diamond trade.
Unmatched Value
This architectural colossus, estimated to be worth US$388 million, is more than just a place of business. It is a living testimony of India's entrepreneurial spirit, its ability to combine tradition and modernity, and the unstoppable growth that, like the diamonds processed there, has gone through countless facets to reach its current brilliance.
