Plasco Building
Building Former Tehran high-rise that collapsed in 2017
Tehran’s Plasco Building was a prominent high-rise that collapsed after a 2017 fire, killing people including emergency personnel and prompting debates about urban safety. The site no longer functions as the former commercial landmark.
The Plasco Building was a 20th-century high-rise in central Tehran that housed shops, workshops and offices and was a landmark feature of the city skyline. It collapsed following a major fire in January 2017 that destroyed the structure and resulted in significant loss of life and widespread media attention.
Constructed during Iran’s mid-20th-century urban expansion, the building had long been used for commercial activities, notably garment manufacturing and retail. After the 2017 fire and collapse the site was cleared and the event prompted investigations and public discussion about building safety, emergency services and regulatory oversight.
The Plasco site is located in central Tehran in Tehran Province, in a dense urban district that had been a commercial heart of the city; the collapse and subsequent recovery operations dominated the immediate neighbourhood for months after the incident.
- 2017 collapse: The building collapsed after a major fire on 19 January 2017, causing many fatalities and injuries and prompting a national review of building safety and emergency response procedures.
- Function and age: Before its destruction the Plasco Building was a multi-use high-rise with retail and garment workshops and was one of Tehran's notable modern-era high-rise structures dating from the mid-20th century.
How to Get to Plasco Building #
The former location is at Arg Square (Meydan-e Arg), central Tehran. From Imam Khomeini Square, walk roughly 10-15 minutes north along the streets that fringe the historic bazaar complex. Several city buses and taxis serve the area; Tehran Metro Line 1 and Line 2 interchange at Imam Khomeini station from which it is a short taxi ride.
Tips for Visiting Plasco Building #
- Stand at Arg Square at dawn to see the empty footprint and fewer vendors; the memorial plaque is easiest to read then.
- Ask a local shopkeeper about the night of 19 January 2017-oral recollections are vivid and often more affecting than press reports.
- Combine a visit with the nearby National Museum of Iran to place the building in Tehran's 20th-century urban expansion.
Best Time to Visit Plasco Building #
Because the Plasco Building was destroyed in 2017, visiting is about context and memory rather than touring an attraction. Any time is fine for reflection; avoid Iranian national holidays when traffic and crowds spike.
Weather & Climate near Plasco Building #
Plasco Building's climate is classified as Cold Semi-Arid - Cold Semi-Arid climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 0°C to 36°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 7°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (39 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (36 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 6°C. The wettest month with 43 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 12°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 16°C. Light rainfall.
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June
June is warm with highs of 33°C and lows of 21°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.
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July
July is the hottest month with highs of 36°C and lows of 24°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.
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August
August is hot with highs of 34°C and lows of 23°C. The driest month with just 2 mm and clear sunny skies.
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September
September is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 19°C. The driest month with just 2 mm and clear sunny skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 13°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.
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November
November is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 7°C. Light rainfall.
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December
December is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (36 mm).
