Giant skyscraper planned for Paris

French star architect Jean Nouvel was chosen on Tuesday over four world-class peers to build a landmark skyscraper on the edge of Paris, set to rival the Eiffel Tower for domination of the city skyline.

Set for completion by 2014, the concrete, glass and steel tower will spearhead an ambitious plan to rejuvenate La Defense, the 50-year-old business hub on the city's western rim.

Winner of this year's Pritzker Architecture Prize, the industry's top award, Nouvel faced a stiff challenge from the likes of Britain's Norman Foster and the American Daniel Libeskind, chosen to rebuild the site of the September 11 attacks. The 62-year-old architect said he was "overjoyed" by the jury's decision.