Construction on the first two towers was initially scheduled to begin in the second half of 2013, with completion in time for the city's 2016 Summer Olympics.

[7] The mixed-use project was designed by Aflalo & Gasperini Arquitetos, and was to include restaurants, shops, and gyms.

The front of each tower would include a triangular zig-zag pattern, inspired by the Copacabana boardwalk and shoreline.

[8][12] People in the local community stated that the government did not consult them about Projeto Porto Maravilha, except to inform them of their displacement.

[13] In April 2013, MRP International announced that Engineering SA would monitor construction and provide procurement advisory services for the project.

Stefan Ivanov, MRP's chief executive for Brazil, was not concerned about a recent decline in the local office market.

Donald Trump Jr. confirmed that the project would be the largest urban office complex in the BRIC countries, and stated, "There is a tremendous need for a project of this size and caliber as Rio de Janeiro has one of the lowest office vacancy rates in the world.

"[12] In November 2016, there was no construction activity on the site for the proposed project, which was occupied by a samba school known as Unidos da Tijuca, as well as a Municipal Guards depot.

[11] As of February 2017, groundbreaking had yet to begin and the area surrounding the property remained derelict, unlike the rest of the Port Zone.