The Eiffel Tower was designed and built by the company of the French engineer Gustave Eiffel between 1887 and 1889. The original design was created by two senior engineers in Eiffel's firm, Maurice Koechlin and Émile Nouguier, who envisioned a lattice tower as a centerpiece for the 1889 Exposition Universelle in Paris. The design was later enhanced by Stephen Sauvestre, the company's chief architect, who added decorative elements such as arches and a glass pavilion. Gustave Eiffel supported the project, acquired the patent rights, and oversaw the construction, which began in February 1887 and was completed in just over two years. The tower was officially opened in March 1889 and served as the entrance gateway to the World's Fair celebrating the centennial of the French Revolution