<P> The Louvre Pyramid (Pyramide du Louvre) is a large glass and metal pyramid designed by Chinese - American architect I.M. Pei, surrounded by three smaller pyramids, in the main courtyard (Cour Napoléon) of the Louvre Palace (Palais du Louvre) in Paris . The large pyramid serves as the main entrance to the Louvre Museum . Completed in 1989, it has become a landmark of the city of Paris . </P> <P> Commissioned by the President of France, François Mitterrand, in 1984, it was designed by the architect I.M. Pei . The structure, which was constructed entirely with glass segments and metal poles, reaches a height of 21.6 metres (71 ft). Its square base has sides of 34 metres (112 ft) and a base surface area of 1,000 square metres (11,000 sq ft). It consists of 603 rhombus - shaped and 70 triangular glass segments . The pyramid structure was engineered by Nicolet Chartrand Knoll Ltd. of Montreal (Pyramid Structure / Design Consultant) and Rice Francis Ritchie of Paris (Pyramid Structure / Construction Phase). </P> <P> The pyramid and the underground lobby beneath it were created because of a series of problems with the Louvre's original main entrance, which could no longer handle the enormous number of visitors on an everyday basis . Visitors entering through the pyramid descend into the spacious lobby then ascend into the main Louvre buildings . </P>

When did they start building the louvre pyramid