In April 1999, Avant Lučenec, joint stock company, is to commence the construction of the Slovakia's highest building in the central part of Lučenec, the metropolis of Novohrad (historical territory in the southern part of central Slovakia and Northern Hungary). The building is to be consigned to operation at the end of 2000. Besides the constructor, experts from the international consortium formed by prestigious companies working in the field of electronics worked on its project and technical preparation. The building baptised 'ESO' will have the shape of a silicon crystal and will be 135 metres high. 125 metres of is height will be dedicated to 40 storeys and the rest to a telecommunication antenna. The building will be the headquarters of the First European Silicate Organisation dealing with effective usage of reach sources of minerals in the regions of Novohrad and Gemer and aiming at economic improvement of the territory. The organisation includes various international corporations which participate in the financing of the planned construction of the high-rise building. Avant Marketing Department Head Jozef Bablena told the correspondent of the Slovak News Agency (SLOVAKIA) that the international activities in the field of processing of minerals concentrated in Lučenec will lead to the flow of foreign capital, revive the production in the Lučenec district and in the southern Slovakia in general. Bablena stressed that the Silicate Economic Zone Project aims at strengthening the region's position within Slovakia. One of the project's authors Ing. Peter Machala told Euroforum that the building will be interesting also thanks to its slim high shape, which was conditioned by the telecommunication's request to place the antenna in the elevation of 135 metres. By this, the building will acquire the character of a telecommunication tower and will satisfy the high demands of supranational companies which will be based in it and which require operative communication with the world. The building will be connected to a network of optic cables connected to satellites. Besides the First European Silicate Organisation it will be the premises of several banks, trade organisations and offices. In terms of its construction, the building will be designed as a steel skeleton run in concrete with ferroconcrete coupled ceilings. The sheathing is to be made of mirror glass set into aluminium frames, and was designed in such a way to make the sky reflect in it. The building's position in the complex of Reduta Congress Centre with a connection to Hotel Reduta, will create an impressive and unique area of cross-regional and supranational character in the centre of Lučenec.