The player views the building from a side-on, cutaway perspective and constructs a vertical tower one floor at a time. Elevators and other transport systems connect apartments, offices, shops, hotels, and public facilities. The main objective is to expand the building while maintaining circulation, services, finances, and occupant satisfaction.

Progression is driven by construction and population milestones. New facilities and larger building plans become practical as the tower earns money and attracts more users. Layout, elevator capacity, operating costs, and the balance of residential, commercial, and public areas all affect the tower's performance.

Plan vertical traffic before filling floors. Place elevators and other transport routes so that heavily used facilities do not create bottlenecks, and leave room for later expansion.

Balance income-producing facilities with services that improve the building's operation. Monitor finances and user movement after each major construction project instead of expanding every available floor immediately.