Get to Know El Tornillo in Panama City

The F&F Tower (Revolution Tower) holds an air of mystery as your flight descends the skies into Panama City.  Easy to spot amongst the metropolis skyline, your eyes are drawn to the emerald green glass, sometimes reflected blue, twisting from a central base upwards into the sky.  It ends at a sharp point, as if it could easily pierce the round belly of a runaway balloon. 

Located on Calle 50, in the heart of the city’s bustling financial district, its 47 floors spiral 243 meters into the air, and are visible throughout the city.  The locals fondly call it “El Tornillo” in Spanish, which translates to “The Screw”.  Despite only hosting offices and the occasional terrace, this tower remains one of the most iconic buildings in Panama City.

El Tornillo was designed by the well-known Pinzón Lozano y Asociados studio, and was developed and completed in 2011 by F&F Properties.  The project set a milestone for the construction sector not only in Panama, but in Latin America as well.  The design rotates around a central axis, turning 360 degrees as it ascends, giving it the appearance of a helix.  The twisting forms can also help the wind circulation around the building, improve views and provide shade, reducing cooling costs. 

Despite its remarkable shape, El Tornillo is not the highest building in the city as it has been ranked as the 7th highest skyscraper of the capital.