In recent years, buildings have been getting taller because of better materials and methods. Now, with a better understanding of how air works, there’s no limit to how tall skyscrapers can be.
There are already many impressive buildings worldwide that show off the skills of architects and engineers. They’ve created amazing structures that seem to defy gravity.
More tall buildings are being planned or built. For example, the Jeddah Tower in Saudi Arabia is designed to be over 1000m tall once finished. The Bionic Tower, a proposed design for a vertical city in China, could be a staggering 1,228m tall if it gets built.
But, for now, let’s take a look at the 10 tallest skyscrapers in the world.
10. China Zun – 528m
The unique Citic Tower, opened in 2018, hosts offices, hotels, and fancy apartments. There’s a plan for a rooftop garden at 524m for sunbathing. Nicknamed China Zun, inspired by an ancient Chinese vessel, it’s currently Beijing’s tallest tower. New laws restrict buildings over 180m in the city, so it’s set to be the tallest for a while.
9. Tianjin CTF Finance Centre – 530m
Built in 2019, the Tianjin Tower prioritizes sustainability. Its unique shape resists wind effects and reduces the need for curved glass. Though the glass isn’t curved, clever design creates a shimmering effect in the sunlight. The tower features a ‘soft braces’ column system to enhance stability during earthquakes, a prudent measure considering its location in a seismically active area of northern China.
8. Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre – 530m
The Tianjin Tower, along with the Guangzhou CTF Tower, holds the eighth spot among the world’s tallest buildings. They both are also the third-tallest towers in China. The tower boasts the world’s fastest elevator, reaching a speed of 72km/h. You can travel from the ground floor to the hotel lobby on the 95th floor in just 42 seconds, but it might be a challenge to keep your lunch down at that speed. The building’s overall shape serves practical purposes, as it is mixed-use with floors dedicated to various uses, each allocated different sizes.
7. One World Trade Center – 541m
The ‘One World Trade Center’ replaced Six World Trade Center, destroyed in the 9/11 attacks. Construction began in 2006, completed in 2014, with a public observation deck opening in 2015. The spire atop reaches 541m, a deliberate detail making the height 1,776 feet, signifying the year of America’s independence. The building has 94 storeys, mostly offices, and the lobby features artworks commemorating those who perished on the site in 2001.
6. Lotte World Tower – 555m
Surprisingly, the Lotte World Tower is South Korea’s first 100+ floor building, featuring a 10-floor exclusive shopping mall. Opened in 2017, it took 13 years of planning and site clearance before construction. Offering a mix of gyms, offices, shops, and hotels, it provides a comprehensive lifestyle experience. The tower is exceptionally robust, engineered to endure earthquakes up to magnitude nine on the Richter scale, as well as high winds and tropical storms.
5. Ping An International Finance Centre – 599m
Situated in Shenzhen, China, the Pin An Tower is part of the business district and represents one of the world’s largest insurance companies, translating to ‘safe and well’. Initial plans included a 60m antenna for the top, potentially making it the tallest building in China, but concerns about air traffic interference led to abandoning the idea. With 115 floors, the tower is remarkably spacious, offering 500m2 of floor space, ranking as the second-largest skyscraper globally by floor area.
4. Abraj Al-Bait Clock Tower – 601m
This splendid clock tower stands at the heart of a Saudi Arabian hotel complex, designed to accommodate pilgrims visiting the nearby Great Mosque of Mecca, just 300m away. Boasting the world’s largest clock faces, visitors won’t struggle to check the time. With a staggering construction cost of $15bn (11.91bn), it ranks as the second-most expensive building globally. However, controversy arose during its development, as the 18th-century Ajyad Fortress, constructed by the Ottoman Empire, was demolished in 2002 to pave the way for this project.
3. Shanghai Tower – 632m
Upon completion in 2015, the Shanghai Tower claimed the title of China’s tallest building. With 128 floors, it accommodates offices, concert halls, and a unique swimming pool on the 84th floor. Sharing the world’s highest observation deck record (alongside the Ping An International Finance Center), it offers breathtaking views from a height of 562m. The tower is equipped with the world’s second-fastest elevators, featuring a special ‘red button’ that accelerates their speed when requested by those in the know.
2. Merdeka 118 – 679m
The Merdeka’s name and design draw inspiration from Malaysia’s declaration of independence in August 1957. Tunku Abdul Rahman, during the ceremony, passionately chanted ‘Merdeka,’ meaning ‘Independence’ in English. The building has 118 floors, housing offices, commercial spaces, hotels, and a gym. Additionally, it will include an observation deck on floors 115 and 116 for those inclined to enjoy the view.
1. Burj Khalifa – 828m
The Burj Khalifa stands as the centerpiece of Downtown Dubai, an extensive development encompassing hotels, residential buildings, and shopping malls over 2 km2. Completed in 2010, it set numerous records, including the world’s highest restaurant and nightclub, and it boasts the most floors (163) ever constructed. Constructed with reinforced concrete, aluminium, and steel, the tower features over 24,000 windows, making window cleaning quite a task.