With the staring problem of global population explosion, the cities of the world are increasing challenges for space and most of them have taken the vertical route to accommodate an ever-growing number of businesses and residents. Though the skyscraper trend began in the 1970s in the US, it really came into its own in the new millennium in Asia which now is home to some of the world’s tallest structures. Here’s a list of the world’s tallest skyscrapers according to their height from the ground:
Burj Khalifa
Designed by Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, the Burj Khalifa was completed on 1st October, 2009 and is currently the tallest building in the world. Standing at an astounding 828 m (2,717 ft) tall, the skyscraper is located near Dubai’s main business district and forms a part of the city’s flagship development named Downtown Dubai. The Dubai, United Arab Emirates is named after UAE President Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and cost an estimated US$1.5 billion to build. With 163 habitable floors, 46 maintenance levels, and 2 parking levels in the basement, the Burj Khalifa has around 309,473 m2 of floor space.
Taipei 101
Located in the Xinyi District in Taipei, Taiwan, the Taipei 101 was awarded Platinum certification in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system in July 2011. Officially, the world’s tallest building till 2010, the landmark skyscraper was constructed by KTRT Joint Venture and designed by C.Y. Lee & partners. An icon of modern Taiwan, the postmodernist structure was also awarded the Emporis Skyscraper Award in 2004. The tornado- and earthquake-resistant building symbolizes Asian tradition and evolution of technology through its architecture and has become the symbol for Taiwan in the same way as the Big Ben is for London and the Statue of Liberty is for New York. With 5 floors underground, the 101 storey building houses a multi-level shopping mall as well as restaurants, clubs and fashionable stores. The first building in the world to go past the half-kilometer mark in height, the Taipei 101 is owned by the Taipei Financial Center Corporation (TFCC).
Shanghai World Financial Center
Designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox, the Shanghai World Financial Center was financed by several multinational firms. The 101-story tower is located in the Pudong district of Shanghai, China and is the second tallest structure in the country. Lauded for its design, the SWFC was named the year’s best completed skyscraper by architects in 2008. Ground-floor shopping malls, hotels, observation decks, offices, and conference rooms span the 381,600 m2 floor space of the mixed-use skyscraper. Boasting of the tallest observation deck in the world, the skyscraper stands at 474 m (1,555 ft) tall and houses the second-highest hotel in the world, the Park Hyatt Shanghai.
International Commerce Centre
Completed in 2010, the 484m (1,588 ft) International Commerce Centre is the tallest building in Hong Kong as well as the fourth tallest building by height in the world and also the second tallest building by floors anywhere in the world. Located in West Kowloon, Hong Kong, the 108-floor skyscraper was jointly developed and owned by Sun Hung Kai Properties and MTR Corporation Limited. Built on top of Kowloon Station, the ICC is a part of the Union Square project. Completed in phases from 2007 to 2010, International Commerce Centre was opened in 2011 and houses a Ritz-Carlton Hotel as well as office buildings.
Petronas Towers
The Petronas Towers are super tall high-rises located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia which, from 1998 to 2004, were the tallest buildings in the world. Still holding the crown for being the tallest twin buildings in the world, the towers were completed in 1998. Designed collectively by Filipino-Malaysian Engineer Deejay Cerico and Argentine architect César Pelli under the consultancy of Filipino Designer Dominic “Minick” Saibo and J. C. Guinto, the Petronas Towers are built on the world’s deepest foundations (120-meter) because of the depth of the bedrock under it. Also known as the Petronas Twin Towers, the glass, reinforced concrete and steel façade of the 88-floor towers resemble Islamic motifs with the cross section of the towers using another Islamic influence known as a Rub el Hizb.
Nanjing Greenland Financial Center
Also known as the Greenland Square Zifeng Tower, the Nanjing Greenland Financial Center is the second tallest building in China. Located in Nanjing, China, the 89-story building was designed under the leadership of Adrian Smith by architectural firm Skidmore, Owings and Merrill designed. The super tall skyscraper was completed in April 2010. Overlooking the Xuanwu Lake, the mixed-use tower stands at 450-metre (1,480 ft) tall with office space and retail operations in the lower section and a hotel, a public observatory and restaurants near the top.
Willis Tower
Called the Sears Tower until 2009, the Willis Tower was finished in 1974 and was paid for collectively by Sears, Roebuck and Company. From 1974 to 1996, it was the tallest building in the world and remains the tallest building in North America to date. Located in Chicago, Illinois, the Willis Tower is 442 m (1,451 ft) tall and has 108 levels.
Guangzhou International Finance Center
Located in the Tianhe District of the Guangzhou city in China, the Guangzhou International Finance Centre was designed by architect Wilkinson Eyre. Completed in 2010, the building features the Four Seasons Hotel, offices and a conference center. Formerly known as Guangzhou West Tower, the 440.2 m (1,444 ft) tall skyscraper has 103 stories and 285,000 m2 of floor space.
Jin Mao Tower
Literally meaning “Golden Prosperity Building”, the Jin Mao Tower is a centerpiece of the skyline of the Pudong district of Shanghai. Located in the Lujiazui area of the city, the super tall skyscraper was the tallest building in the PRC until 2007. Housing the Shanghai Grand Hyatt hotel and offices, the 88-story building was completed in 1999. Designed by architect Adrian Smith at SOM, the landmark is 421 m (1,381 ft) tall and has 278,707 m2 of floor space.
Two International Finance Centre
One of Hong Kong Island’s most prominent landmarks, the International Finance Centre (abbreviated as the IFC) features two famous skyscrapers. With a Four Seasons Hotel occupying the 55-story tower, the other building consists of the IFC Mall. IFC Development, which is a collective front operation consisting of Henderson Land, Towngas and Sun Hung Kai Properties, owns and constructed the IFC. As tall as the former World Trade Center in New York, the Two International Finance Center was designed by Rocco Design Architects Limited and completed in 200
3. Currently, the second tallest building in Hong Kong, the 2IFC is 415 meters tall with 88 floors and 185,805 square meter floor space.