Top 15 Tallest Buildings in the World

Humanity’s fascination with building ever-taller structures continues to push the boundaries of engineering and design. These architectural marvels not only redefine skylines but also showcase innovation in sustainable practices, materials science, and urban planning. Let’s embark on a journey to explore the top 14 tallest buildings in the world as of 2024, delving into their unique features, significance, and the stories behind their creation

1. Burj Khalifa, Dubai, UAE

• Height: 828 meters (2,717 feet)
• Floors: 163
• Completion: 2010
• Owner: Emaar Properties
• Features: Designed by Adrian Smith, Burj Khalifa remains the undisputed king of skyscrapers. This mixed-use behemoth boasts residential apartments, luxury hotels, office space, an observation deck, and even an artificial lake. Its complex engineering incorporates buttressed cores and a specifically designed concrete mix to withstand the extreme desert heat.
• Importance: As the tallest building in the world, Burj Khalifa is a symbol of Dubai’s rapid development and ambition. It attracts millions of tourists annually and houses the world’s highest observation deck.

2. Merdeka 118, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (678.9 meters, 2,227 ft)

Merdeka 118, Kuala Lumpur

• Cost: Approximately $4 billion
• Owner: Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB)
• Completed: 2023
• Features: This recently completed marvel, designed by Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects, boasts a distinctive twisted tower design inspired by traditional Islamic geometric patterns. Merdeka 118 houses a variety of functions, including a luxury hotel, office space, an observation deck, and high-end retail outlets.

3. Shanghai Tower, Shanghai, China

• Height: 632 meters (2,073 feet)
• Floors: 128
• Completion: 2015
• Owner: Shanghai Tower Construction and Development
• Features: The world’s highest observation deck, sustainable design with a double-skin façade, and the fastest elevators.The Shanghai Tower’s twisting design, resembling a giant corkscrew, offers panoramic views and improves wind resistance. This mixed-use skyscraper houses office space, a hotel, museums, and observation decks. Notably, it features the world’s highest observation deck in a twisted building at 552 meters (1,811 ft).
• Importance: A marvel of green architecture, Shanghai Tower represents China’s economic growth and technological advancement.

4. Abraj Al-Bait Clock Tower, Mecca, Saudi Arabia

• Height: 601 meters (1,971 feet)
• Floors: 120
• Completion: 2012
• Owner: Government of Saudi Arabia
• Features: Largest clock face in the world, luxurious hotels, and residential apartments.
• Importance: Located near the Grand Mosque, it provides accommodations for pilgrims and is a significant symbol of Islamic architecture. This multifunctional complex, incorporating the world’s tallest clock tower, is a prominent landmark in Mecca. The complex houses a luxurious hotel, the world’s largest clock face, a shopping mall, and a lunar observation center.

5. Ping An Finance Centre, Shenzhen, China

source: reditt

• Height: 599 meters (1,965 feet)
• Floors: 115
• Completion: 2017
• Owner: Ping An Insurance
• Features: Office space, retail, and a hotel.
• Importance: Represents Shenzhen’s status as a financial hub and China’s rapid urbanization.Designed by the renowned architect Büro Ole Scheeren, the Ping An Finance Centre features a distinctive, sky-scraping “crown” that houses office space and observation decks. This LEED Gold-certified skyscraper integrates sustainable design elements like rainwater harvesting and energy-efficient systems.

6. Lotte World Tower, Seoul, South Korea

source: Korea.net

• Height: 555 meters (1,819 feet)
• Floors: 123
• Completion: 2016
• Owner: Lotte Corporation
• Features: Observation decks, luxury hotel, retail space, and residences.Lotte World Tower is the tallest building in South Korea and offers stunning views of Seoul’s cityscape. This mixed-use development houses a luxury hotel, office space, a shopping mall, and an observation deck with a glass floor.
• Importance: A landmark in Seoul, it reflects South Korea’s modernity and economic growth.

7. One World Trade Center, New York, USA

• Height: 541 meters (1,776 feet)
• Floors: 104
• Completion: 2013
• Owner: Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
• Features: Office spaces, observation decks, and a museum.Built on the site of the former World Trade Center towers destroyed on 9/11, One World Trade Center is a symbol of resilience and hope. The skyscraper features a spire designed to resemble
• Importance: A symbol of resilience and rebirth after the 9/11 attacks, it stands as a testament to American strength and determination.

8. Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre, Guangzhou, China

source: pinterest

• Height: 530 meters (1,740 feet)
• Floors: 111
• Completion: 2016
• Owner: Chow Tai Fook Enterprises
• Features: Mixed-use including office spaces, residences, and hotels.
• The building is part of the Guangzhou Twin Towers, with the Guangzhou International Finance Centre (West Tower) standing at 439 meters (1,439 ft) on the opposite side of the central axis. The CTF Finance Centre boasts the world’s fastest elevator, reaching speeds of 1,260 meters per minute (21 miles per hour). The building integrates a luxurious hotel, high-end office space, and residential apartments, offering a variety of living and working environments.

9. Tianjin CTF Finance Centre, Tianjin, China

• Height: 530 meters (1,740 feet)
• Floors: 98
• Completion: 2019
• Owner: Chow Tai Fook Enterprises
• Features: Offices, luxury apartments, and a hotel.
• The skyscraper houses Class-A office space, 300 luxury serviced apartments, and a five-star, 350-room Rosewood Hotel, catering to a diverse mix of users. The building was designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), a renowned architectural firm known for its innovative and sustainable skyscraper designs. Tianjin CTF Finance Centre is a key element of the Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area (TEDA) master plan, serving as an anchor for the office, hotel, retail, and housing district.

10. CITIC Tower, Beijing, China

source: pinterest

• Height: 528 meters (1,732 feet)
• Floors: 108
• Completion: 2018
• Owner: CITIC Group
• Features: Office spaces, observation decks, and a rooftop garden.
• Importance: The tallest building in Beijing, symbolizing China’s growing economic might and innovation in architecture.
• CITIC Tower houses office space, a luxury hotel, conference facilities, and retail outlets, catering to a diverse range of users.The building connects to a vast underground transportation network, facilitating easy access to public transportation options.CITIC Tower serves as a prominent landmark in Beijing’s central business district, symbolizing the city’s economic and architectural prowess.

11. Taping Tower, Taipei, Taiwan

• Height: 508 meters (1,667 feet)
• Floors: 101
• Completion: 2004
• Owner: Taipei Financial Center Corporation
• Features: Office spaces, shopping mall, observatory.
• Importance: Once the tallest building globally, it remains a symbol of Taiwan’s technological advancement and cultural pride.

12. Shanghai World Financial Center, Shanghai, China

• Height: 492 meters (1,614 feet)
• Floors: 101
• Completion: 2008
• Owner: Mori Building Co.
• Features: Office spaces, hotels, shopping centers.
• Importance: Known for its distinctive bottle opener shape, it is a key part of Shanghai’s financial district.
• The SWFC was the second-tallest building in the world upon its completion in 2008, surpassed only by the Burj Khalifa.The building incorporates a damper system to enhance stability against strong winds and earthquakes.

13. International Commerce Centre, Hong Kong, China

• Height: 484 meters (1,588 feet)
• Floors: 108
• Completion: 2010
• Owner: Sun Hung Kai Properties and MTR Corporation
• Features: Office spaces, luxury hotel, shopping mall.
• Importance: A central piece of Hong Kong’s skyline and a hub for international business.
• The ICC was the world’s fourth-tallest building and the third-tallest in Asia upon its completion in 2010. The building is a key element of the West Kowloon reclamation project, contributing to the revitalization of Hong Kong’s waterfront.

14. Central Park Tower, New York, USA

source: Apartment.com

• Height: 472 meters (1,550 feet)
• Floors: 98
• Completion: 2020
• Owner: Extell Development Company and Shanghai Municipal Investment Group
• Features: Luxury residential units, retail space.
• Importance: The tallest residential building in the world, it epitomizes luxury living in Manhattan.
• Central Park Tower is located on Billionaires’ Row in Midtown Manhattan, placing it in an exclusive neighborhood known for its luxurious residences.
• The building was designed by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, renowned for their expertise in supertall skyscrapers.
• Central Park Tower stands as a symbol of New York City’s status as a global center for luxury living and architectural innovation.

15. Lakhta Center, Saint Petersburg, Russia

• Height: 462 meters (1,516 feet)
• Floors: 87
• Completion: 2019
• Owner: Gazprom
• Features: Office spaces, observation deck, and amenities.
• Importance: The tallest building in Europe, symbolizing Russia’s economic and technological advancements.

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