The world’s tallest buildings

December 23, 2022

The era of skyscrapers began in 1885, when people in Chicago (USA) built a 10-story building over 42 meters high. In the 20th century new engineering technologies and materials appeared, so the record of the 19th century was surpassed many times over. Let’s see which buildings are the tallest today.

Shanghai World Financial Center

The Shanghai World Financial Center is located in the Pudong district of Shanghai, China. The 492 meters high building was designed by the architectural firm Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates. Construction of the Shanghai World Financial Center began in 1997, but it was halted in 1998 due to the Asian financial crisis. Work on the building resumed in 2003. When it opened in 2008, it was the second tallest skyscraper in the world.

Taipei 101

Taipei 101 is a supertall skyscraper located in Taipei, Taiwan. The 509.2 meter high building was designed by the architectural firm C.Y. Lee & Partners and was completed in 2004. It was the tallest skyscraper in the world from 2004 to 2010, until the inauguration of the Burj Khalifa. Taipei 101 has 101 floors (hence the name) and 5 basement levels. The building’s architecture is a symbol of technological evolution and Asian tradition. Its postmodern approach incorporates traditional elements while adding a modern touch.

Guangzhou CTF Finance Center

The Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre is a 530 meter tall skyscraper in Guangzhou, Guangdong. The building was designed by the architectural firm Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates and was completed in 2016. The design of the Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre stems from the effective synthesis of its multiple uses. The building’s form is sculpted at four major transition points: from offices to homes, from homes to hotels, from hotels to the crown and from the crown to the sky.

One World Trade Center

One World Trade Center, also known as the Freedom Tower, is located in Lower Manhattan in New York City, United States. This very tall structure bears the same name as the North Tower of the original World Trade Center, which was destroyed in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Its spire allows it to reach the symbolic height of 541 m. It has been the tallest structure in New York City since April 30, 2012, when it surpassed the height of the Empire State Building.

Lotte World Tower

The Lotte World Tower is a supertall skyscraper located in Seoul, South Korea. The building was designed by the architectural firm Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates and was completed in 2017. The building’s design is inspired by traditional Korean motifs. It features a distinctive curved shape that tapers towards the top. The Lotte World Tower is a symbol of Seoul’s economic growth and is an important part of the city’s skyline.

Ping An Finance Center

The Ping An Finance Center is a supertall skyscraper located in Shenzhen, China. It is 599 meters high. The building was designed by the architectural firm Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates and was completed in 2017. The Ping An Finance Center is a mixed-use building that includes a hotel, office space, and a number of amenities such as a conference center, a shopping mall, and an observation deck.

Makkah Royal Clock Tower

The Makkah Royal Clock Tower is a building complex in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, that includes a hotel, a conference center, and a number of other amenities. The tower itself is 601 meters tall. It was designed by the architectural firm Dar Al-Handasah and was completed in 2012. It is a prominent landmark in the city of Mecca and is an important part of the local tourism industry.

Shanghai Tower

Shanghai Tower is located in Shanghai, China. The height is 632 m. The building was originally scheduled for completion in 2010, but is not completed until September 6, 2015. Planning models of the Lujiazui financial district from 1993 show plans for a group of three very tall skyscrapers. The first of these, the Jin Mao Tower, was completed in 1999. The adjacent Shanghai World Financial Center opened in 2008.

Merdeka 118

Merdeka 118 is located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Its construction began in 2014. Now the building has already reached a height of almost 680 meters. It is planned to be finally completed in 2023. Merdeka 118 is also the tallest building in Malaysia. Upon completion, Merdeka 118 is expected to contribute to the local economy by creating jobs and attracting tourists and investors to the city.

Burj Khalifa

The Burj Khalifa is an iconic structure that dominates the skyline of Dubai and has become a symbol of the city’s rapid development and modernity. It is a mixed-use building that includes a hotel, residential apartments, and office space. Its construction began in 2004 and was completed in 2010. The absolute height is 828 meters and 163 floors above ground. The tower is not only the highest in the world, it also holds other records: the highest number of floors, the highest occupied floor, the highest elevator in the world, etc.