tower block
A residential building with at least 10 floors above ground, including mixed uses when housing occupies at least 10% of gross floor area.
Pictured: Le Périscope
A tower block is a multi-unit residential building with at least 10 floors above ground. It can be a high-rise, skyscraper, or supertall building, and it can be mixed-use as long as residential units form a primary use with at least 10% of the gross floor area.
The term "tower block" has the connotation in English of a very large urban residential development where many units are stacked vertically. It is mainly associated with modern architecture although many are postmodern, and older blocks (mainly in American cities) are designed in various revival styles. While the term is often applied across the spectrum from low-end to upscale housing, it may connote mass production and a level of sameness among units.
Several residential units are stacked within the building. Other uses can coexist with them, provided the residential component retains the stated minimum share and the building meets the floor threshold.
