Architectural Marvels
The world's tallest buildings are awe-inspiring testaments of human ambition and engineering prowess. These architectural marvels not only redefine city skylines but also push the boundaries of design, technology, and sustainability. From iconic landmarks to your average mixed-use structure, let’s explore these skyscrapers shaping the future of urban living.
Burj Khalifa
Standing at 2,717 feet (828 meters), the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, has been the tallest building in the world since its completion in 2010. This architectural marvel features 163 floors and includes residential suites, offices, and the Armani Hotel.
Rastislav Sedlak SK, Adobe Stock
Merdeka 118
Merdeka 118, located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, reaches a height of 2,227 feet (678.9 meters) with 118 floors. Completed in 2023, it is the tallest building in Southeast Asia.
Aleksandr Medvedkov, Shutterstock
Shanghai Tower
The Shanghai Tower in Shanghai, China, stands at 2,073 feet (632 meters) with 128 floors. It was completed in 2015.
Abraj Al-Bait Clock Tower
Located in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, the Abraj Al-Bait Clock Tower is 1,972 feet (601 meters) tall with 120 floors. Completed in 2012, it is the tallest clock tower in the world and includes a series of hotels, and a museum on the very top four floors.
Ping An Finance Centre
The Ping An Finance Centre in Shenzhen, China, reaches 1,965 feet (599 meters) with 115 floors. Completed in 2017, it is the headquarters of Ping An Insurance.
Lotte World Tower
Seoul's Lotte World Tower is 1,819 feet (555 meters) tall with 123 floors. Completed in 2016, it is the tallest building in South Korea.
kallerna, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
One World Trade Center
One World Trade Center in New York City, USA, stands at 1,776 feet (541 meters) with 104 floors. Completed in 2014, it is the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere and a prominent part of the rebuilt World Trade Center complex.
Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre
The Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre in Guangzhou, China, is 1,740 feet (530 meters) tall with 111 floors and was completed in 2016.
xiquinhosilva, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
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Tianjin CTF Finance Centre
Located in Tianjin, China, the Tianjin CTF Finance Centre is 1,739 feet (530 meters) tall with 98 floors. Completed in 2019, it is the tallest building in the world with fewer than 100 floors.
CITIC Tower
The CITIC Tower, also known as China Zun, in Beijing, China, is 1,732 feet (528 meters) tall with 108 floors. Completed in 2018, it serves as the headquarters for CITIC Group and is the tallest building in Beijing.
TAIPEI 101
Located in Taipei, Taiwan, TAIPEI 101 stands at 1,667 feet (508 meters) with 101 floors. Completed in 2004, it was the world's tallest building until 2010 and is renowned for its unique pagoda-inspired design.
CEphoto, Uwe Aranas, CC-BY-SA-3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Shanghai World Financial Center
The Shanghai World Financial Center in Shanghai, China, is 1,614 feet (492 meters) tall with 101 floors. Completed in 2008, it features a distinctive trapezoid-shaped opening at the top of the multi-use skyscraper.
International Commerce Centre
Located in Hong Kong, China, the International Commerce Centre reaches 1,588 feet (484 meters) with 108 floors and was Completed in 2010.
Ank Kumar, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Wuhan Greenland Center
The Wuhan Greenland Center, located in Wuhan, China, was initially designed to reach 2,087 feet (636 meters) with 125 floors. However, due to airspace regulations, its height was reduced to 1,576 feet (480 meters) with 97 floors.
Central Park Tower
The Central Park Tower in New York City, USA, stands at 1,550 feet (472 meters) with 98 floors. Completed in 2020, it is the tallest residential building in the world, offering luxury condominium—but there’s a disturbing downside to living in this billion-dollar behemoth.
In recent years, the building has had its fair share of problems. Residents launched a $150 million lawsuit, alleging “excessive noise, leaks, creaking walls, faulty elevators and surging repair costs”.
Lakhta Center
The Lakhta Center in Saint Petersburg, Russia, reaches 1,516 feet (462 meters) with 87 floors. Completed in 2019, it is Europe's tallest building and the world's northernmost skyscraper.
Anton Galakhov, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Landmark 81
Landmark 81 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, stands at 1,513 feet (461 meters) with 81 floors. Completed in 2018, it is the tallest building in Vietnam.
Gurval Le Bouter, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Chongqing International Land-Sea Center
The Chongqing International Land-Sea Center, located in Chongqing, China, is designed to reach a height of 1,503 feet (458 meters) with 101 floors once completed. Still under construction, this skyscraper is set to become one of the tallest buildings in Western China.
重庆轨交18, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
The Exchange 106
The Exchange 106 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, stands at 1,488 feet (453 meters) with 95 floors. Completed in 2019, it is the centerpiece of the Tun Razak Exchange, a financial district designed to bolster Malaysia's economy. With its sleek glass facade and diamond-patterned crown, the building offers premium office spaces and facilities.
Changsha IFS Tower T1
Located in Changsha, China, Changsha IFS Tower T1 is 1,483 feet (452 meters) tall with 94 floors. It was completed in 2018.
Petronas Towers
The Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, stand at 1,483 feet (451.9 meters) with 88 floors each. Completed in 1998, they held the title of the tallest buildings in the world until 2004 and are known for their iconic twin-tower design.
Grayswoodsurrey, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Zifeng Tower
The Zifeng Tower in Nanjing, China, stands at 1,480 feet (450 meters) with 89 floors. It was completed in 2010.
_大面, CC BY 2.5, Wikimedia Commons
Suzhou IFS
The Suzhou IFS in Suzhou, China, is 1,480 feet (450 meters) tall with 98 floors. It was completed in 2019.
钉钉, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Wuhan Center
The Wuhan Center in Wuhan, China, stands at 1,454 feet (443 meters) with 88 floors. Completed in 2019, this is the first building in Wuhan to exceed 980 feet (300 meters).
Zheng Zhou, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Willis Tower (Formerly Sears Tower)
The Willis Tower in Chicago, USA, stands at 1,450 feet (442 meters) with 110 floors. Completed in 1974, it held the title of the tallest building in the world for 25 years and remains an iconic landmark in Chicago.
KK100
KK100 in Shenzhen, China, is 1,449 feet (442 meters) tall with 100 floors. Completed in 2011, it has a design inspired by bamboo shoots.
Guangzhou International Finance Center
The Guangzhou International Finance Center in Guangzhou, China, is 1,439 feet (439 meters) tall with 103 floors. It was completed in 2010.
Eduardo M. C., CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
111 West 57th Street
Located in New York City, USA, 111 West 57th Street stands at 1,428 feet (435 meters) with 84 floors. Completed in 2021, it is one of the tallest residential buildings in the world and is noted as the slenderest skyscraper in the world.
Kidfly182, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Shandong International Financial Center
The Shandong International Financial Center, completed in 2022 and located in Jinan, China, stands at 1,404 feet (428 meters) with 88 floors.
Ucabunx, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
One Vanderbilt
One Vanderbilt, located in New York City, USA, stands at 1,401 feet (427 meters) with 59 floors. Completed in 2020, it is one of the tallest office buildings in Manhattan and a key addition to the Midtown skyline. The building is directly connected to Grand Central Terminal, offering convenient transportation access.
Itrytohelp32, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Nanjing Financial City Phase II Plot C Tower 1
The Nanjing Financial City Phase II Plot C Tower 1, located in Nanjing, China, will stand at 1,388 feet (423 meters) with 93 floors once completed this year 2025.
432 Park Avenue
432 Park Avenue in New York City, USA, stands at 1,396 feet (426 meters) with 85 floors. Completed in 2015, it is one of the tallest residential buildings in the world.
Marina 101
Marina 101 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, is 1,394 feet (425 meters) tall with 101 floors. Completed in 2017, it features a mix of hotel rooms and residential apartments.
Norlando Pobre, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Trump International Hotel And Tower
The Trump International Hotel and Tower in Chicago, USA, stands at 1,388 feet (423 meters) with 98 floors. Completed in 2009, it is one of the tallest buildings in the United States. It is named after controversial entrepreneur and president-elect Donald Trump.
Jullian Cain Photography, Shutterstock
JPMorgan Chase World Headquarters
The JPMorgan Chase World Headquarters, currently under construction in New York City, USA, is designed to reach 1,388 feet (423 meters) with 60 floors. Set to be completed by 2025, this state-of-the-art skyscraper will become the new global headquarters for JPMorgan Chase.
CrossingLights, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Minying International Trade Center 1
The Minying International Trade Center 1, located in Dongguan, China and completed in 2021, reaches a height of 1,386 feet (422 meters) with 88 floors.
David290, CC BY-SA 4.0,Wikimedia Commons
Jin Mao Tower
The Jin Mao Tower, located in Shanghai, China, stands at 1,380 feet (421 meters) with 88 floors. Completed in 1999, it is one of the city's most iconic skyscrapers.
Princess Tower
The Princess Tower in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, is 1,356 feet (413 meters) tall with 101 floors. Completed in 2012, it was the tallest residential building in the world at the time of its completion.
Pavel L Photography, Shutterstock
Al Hamra Tower
The Al Hamra Tower in Kuwait City, Kuwait, stands at 1,354 feet (412 meters) with 80 floors. Completed in 2011, it is the tallest curved tower in the world, with a distinctive asymmetrical design.
Two International Finance Centre
The Two International Finance Centre in Hong Kong, China, stands at 1,352 feet (412 meters) with 88 floors. Completed in 2003, it is one of Hong Kong's most iconic skyscrapers.
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