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68 Famous Skyscrapers Around The World

The world is full of highrises, and building the tallest structure in the world has always been our ultimate goal. As technical knowledge grew, so did the height of buildings.

We have always been fascinated by tall structures, which is evident from our history of constructing them. Throughout history, it appears there has always been some sort of unofficial race to the sky.

Skyscrapers come in all shapes and sizes, and in this post, we have compiled the ultimate list of famous skyscrapers, an amazing resource of some of the most amazing skyscrapers from all around the world (in no particular order)!

Just scroll down and enjoy!

1. Burj Khalifa

  • Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
  • Height: 829.8 meters (2,722 feet)
  • Completed: 2009

Burj Khalifa is not just one of the most astounding skyscrapers on the planet, it’s also the tallest building in the world at the moment.

It cost approximately $1.5 billion to construct and is part of a larger project referred to as “Downtown Dubai.”

Burj Khalifa famous skyscrapers
Burj Khalifa / Source

2. Empire State Building

  • Location: New York City, United States
  • Height: 443.2 meters (1,454 feet)
  • Completed: 1931

If Burj Khalifa is the most stunning skyscraper in the world, then the Empire State Building is the most iconic one.

Completed in 1931, it was the winner of the unofficial “race to the sky” during the “Roaring Twenties” in New York City which abruptly ended because of the Great Depression. It remains the most remarkable skyscraper in New York.

empire state building
Empire State Building / Source

3. Petronas Twin Towers

  • Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • Height: 451.9 meters (1,483 feet)
  • Completed: 1996

The Petronas Twin Towers are the most famous landmark in Malaysia and are a symbol of Kuala Lumpur.


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They were the tallest buildings in the world upon completion and are remarkable for their tube-in-tube design and Postmodern Architecture style that reflects Islamic culture in Malaysia

Petronas Towers

4. Shanghai Tower

  • Location: Shanghai, China
  • Height: 632 meters (2,073 feet)
  • Completed: 2014

The Shanghai Tower is the second-tallest skyscraper in the world at the moment and holds the record for having the highest observation deck within a building at a height of 561.25 meters (1,841 feet).

It’s part of a triple supertall skyscraper complex in Shanghai, the only one of its kind in the world.

Shanghai Tower
Shanghai Tower / Source

5. The Shard

  • Location: London, United Kingdom
  • Height: 309.6 meters (1,016 feet)
  • Completed: 2012

The Shard is located in the Southwark neighborhood of London and is the tallest skyscraper in the city of London and all of the United Kingdom.

It was designed by the Italian architect Renzo Piano and resembles the spire of a church rising from the River Thames.

The Shard London
The Shard / Image © Acabashi; Creative Commons CC-BY-SA 4.0 Source: Wikimedia Commons

6. Transamerica Pyramid

  • Location: San Francisco, United States
  • Height: 260 meters (853 feet)
  • Completed: 1972

The Transamerica Pyramid is a futuristic skyscraper and the second-tallest building in San Francisco. It was only surpassed in height in 2018 by the Salesforce Tower.

It used to house the headquarters of the Transamerica Corporation, but it has moved to Baltimore, Maryland, even though the company’s logo still depicts the building.

transamerica pyramid
Transamerica Pyramid. / Source

7. The Gherkin

  • Location: London, United Kingdom
  • Height: 180 meters (591 feet)
  • Completed: 2003

The Gherkin is officially known as 30 St Mary Axe and is a commercial skyscraper in London’s main financial district.

It’s famous for its futuristic design and has since its completion become a popular landmark in the city of London. It stands on the ground of the former Baltic Exchange which was severely damaged in 1992 in the Baltic Exchange bombing.

the gherkin

8. Burj Al Arab

  • Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
  • Height: 321 meters (1,053 feet)
  • Completed: 1999

The Burj Al Arab is a luxurious 5-star hotel and is one of the tallest hotels in the world.

It’s world-famous because of its shape as a sailboat and the fact that it was constructed on an artificial island, about 280 meters (920 feet) from Jumeirah Beach. It has become a symbol of Dubai, which was the exact reason it was constructed in the first place.

burj al arab built on an island

9. Chrysler Building

  • Location: New York City, United States
  • Height: 318.9 meters (1,046 feet)
  • Completed: 1930

The Chrysler Building is an art-deco skyscraper located on the East Side of Manhattan in New York City.

It’s one of the most iconic skyscrapers in the city and was one of the buildings competing to become the tallest building in the world in the 1920s. It eventually became so but only for 11 months as it was quickly surpassed by the Empire State Building.

chrysler building facts

10. Taipei 101

  • Location: Taipei, Taiwan
  • Height: 509.2 meters (1,671 feet)
  • Completed: 2004

Taipei 101 is a supertall skyscraper in the capital of Taiwan, Taipei. It used to be the tallest building in the world from 2004 until 2009 when it was surpassed by the Burj Khalifa.

Its postmodern design combines traditional Chinese styles with a modern design, making it one of the most recognizable skyscrapers in the world.

Taipei 101

11. Willis Tower

  • Location: Chicago, United States
  • Height: 442 meters (1,450 feet)
  • Completed: 1973

The Willis Tower used to be called the Sears Tower for 36 years, as it was built by Sears, Roebuck & Co. to become their corporate headquarters.

It used to be the tallest building in the world for 25 years until it was surpassed by the Petronas Twin Towers. The tower in Chicago has the highest observation deck in the United States, making it a popular tourist attraction as well.

Willis Tower
Willis Tower / Daniel Schwen / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en

12. Shanghai World Financial Center

  • Location: Shanghai, China
  • Height: 492 meters (1,614.2 feet)
  • Completed: 2008

The Shanghai World Financial Center is located in the Pudong District of Shanghai, right across the city’s historical center on the other side of the Huangpu River.

It’s part of the triple supertall skyscraper complex, the only one in the world, and is known for its unique design which makes it resemble a bottle opener.

Shanghai World Financial Center
Shanghai World Financial Center / Wiki Commons

13. One World Trade Center

  • Location: New York City, United States
  • Height: 541.3 meters (1,776 feet)
  • Completed: 2014

One World Trade Center is the tallest building of the rebuilt World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan in Ne York City.

It is the tallest building in the United States and also in the entire Western Hemisphere. It has the same name as the North Tower of the original World Trade Center and stands on the site of the original 6 World Trade Center.

One World Trade Center
One World Trade Center / Source

14. International Commerce Centre

  • Location: West Kowloon, Hong Kong
  • Height: 484 meters (1,588 feet)
  • Completed: 2010

The International Commerce Centre is part of a Hong Kong real estate project called “Union Square” and is the tallest building in Hong Kong.

It’s a commercial skyscraper that houses both the Hong Kong Ritz-Carlton Hotel and an observatory called “Sky100” at a height of 387.8 meters (1,272.3 feet).

International Commerce Centre
International Commerce Centre / Wing1990hk / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en

15. Marina Bay Sands

  • Location: Marina Bay, Singapore
  • Height: 206.9 meters (679 feet)
  • Completed: 2010

Marina Bay Sands is an integrated resort in the Marina Bay area of Singapore. It houses a hotel, convention center, museum, shopping mall, and casino, and it’s owned by Las Vegas Sands.

Upon completion, it was dubbed the “world’s most expensive building” with a total price tag of $5.88 billion. Its most prominent feature is a 340-meter (1,120 feet) SkyPark which includes an infinity pool and can hold 3,900 people.

Marina Bay Sands

16. Varso Tower

  • Location: Warsaw, Poland
  • Height: 310 meters (1,017 feet)
  • Completed: 2020 (estimated)

The Varso Tower is a new office complex in Warsaw, Poland, and its main tower will become the tallest building in Poland and the entire European Union.

The complex will consist of 3 towers with Varso 1 & 2 standing just 81 and 90 meters tall.

Varso Tower

17. Central Park Tower

  • Location: New York City, United States
  • Height: 472 meters (1,550 feet)
  • Completed: 2020 (estimated)

The Central Park Tower is a new skyscraper located on Billionaires’ Row in Midtown Manhattan, New York City.

It’s the second-tallest skyscraper in the United States and the entire Western Hemisphere as of 2020. It’s also the tallest residential building in the world.

central park tower

18. One Vanderbilt

  • Location: New York City, United States
  • Height: 427 meters (1,401 feet)
  • Completed: 2021 (estimated)

One Vanderbilt is another new supertall skyscraper located in Midtown East, Manhattan, New York City.

It’s part of a larger project to rezone the area and it stands directly west of the iconic Grand Central Terminal. Upon completion, it will be the 4th tallest building in the city.

interesting facts about One Vanderbilt

19. Jeddah Tower

  • Location: Jeddah, Saudi-Arabia
  • Height: 1,000 meters (3,300 feet)
  • Completed: Unknown

Jeddah Tower is the first building in the world of construction has started that aims to become over 1 kilometer tall. How tall the tower will be exactly is unknown, but the goal is to cross the 1,000 meters mark.

This is similar to the Sky Mile Tower in Tokyo (in the planning phase) which aims to cross the 1-mile mark. Construction of Jeddah Tower is halted at the moment so it’s unknown when the tower will be completed.

Jeddah Tower

20 Flatiron Building

  • Location: New York City, United States
  • Height: 86.9 meters (285 feet)
  • Completed: 1902

The Flatiron Building, which was originally referred to as the “Fuller Building,” is technically not a skyscraper, but since it was constructed well over a century ago and became one of the tallest buildings in New York City at the time, we’ve included it in the list of fascinating skyscrapers.

It’s named because of its peculiar shape and has since become an icon of the city. It has been featured in multiple TV shows, including the intro video of the popular series “Friends.”

flatiron building

21. PNB 118

  • Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • Height: 644 meters (2,113 feet)
  • Completed: 2021 (estimated)

The PNB 118, also referred to as the “Merdeka 118,” is a megatall skyscraper in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia.

Upon completion, it won’t just become the tallest building in Malaysia and Southeast Asia, but it will also surpass the Shanghai Tower to become the second-tallest building in the world.

PNB 118

22. Rockefeller Plaza

  • Location: New York City, United States
  • Height: 266 meters (872 feet)
  • Completed: 1933

Rockefeller Plaza is the tallest skyscraper of the Rockefeller Center complex in Midtown Manhattan, New York City.

It was built in the typical Art Deco style of the time and is remarkable because it was the only skyscraper to be constructed during the Great Depression, which hit before construction started.

rockefeller plaza

23. Al Hamra Tower

  • Location: Kuwait City, Kuwait
  • Height: 414 meters (1,358 feet)
  • Completed: 2011

The Al Hamra Tower was constructed between 2005 and 2011 and it’s the tallest building in Kuwait.

It was designed by architectural firms Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, and Ramshir and Callison and is famous for its curved design. It’s the tallest carved concrete building in the world.

Al Hamra tower fampus skyscrapers
Al Hamra Tower / Source

24. Tribune Tower

  • Location: Chicago, United States
  • Height: 151 meters (496 feet)
  • Completed: 1925

The Tribune Tower was built as the headquarters of the Chicago Tribune, Tribune Media, and Tribune Publishing.

It was built in a neo-Gothic style which was conceived through an international architectural competition. There used to be an earlier Tribune Tower dating back to 1868 but it was destroyed by the Great Chicago Fire in 1871.

Tribune Tower
Tribune Tower / TonyTheTiger / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en

25. The Exchange 106

  • Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • Height: 445 meters (1,460 feet)
  • Completed: 2019

The Exchange 106 is a skyscraper in the Tun Razak Exchange district of Malaysia’s capital, Kuala Lumpur, an area formerly known as the Kuala Lumpur Financial District.

Its most remarkable feature is the 65-meter (213 ft), 12-story high, illuminated crown.

The Exchange 106
The Exchange 106 / Paesh / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en

26. Ryugyong Hotel

  • Location: Pyongyang, North Korea
  • Height: 330.02 meters (1,082.7 feet)
  • Completed: Under construction

The Ryugyong Hotel is a pyramid-shaped skyscraper in Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea. It’s also sometimes referred to as the 105 Building, referring to the number of floors the building has.

Construction started in 1987 and the building topped out and construction was halted in 1992. It remains unfinished today even though progress has been made since 2008.

Ryugyong Hotel
Ryugyong Hotel / Source

27. 432 Park Avenue

  • Location: New York City, United States
  • Height: 425.5 meters (1,396 feet)
  • Completed: 2015

432 Park Avenue is another residential skyscraper located on Billionaires’ Row in Midtown Manhattan, New York City.

It only has 125 condominiums and has some of the most expensive residences in the city, with the average condo selling for tens of millions of dollars. It was the tallest residential building in the world upon completion.

432 Park Avenue

28. Aon Center

  • Location: Chicago, United States
  • Height: 346.3 meters (1,136 feet)
  • Completed: 1973

The Aon Center is a modern skyscraper located just east of the Chicago Loop, the central business district, and the main area of Downtown Chicago.

Upon completion, it was referred to as the “Standard Oil Building” and currently houses the headquarters of Aon, an international and British financial company.

Aon Center
Aon Center / Source

29. John Hancock Center

  • Location: Chicago, United States
  • Height: 343.7 meters (1,128 feet)
  • Completed: 1969

The John Hancock Center is currently known as 875 North Michigan Avenue and is a 100-story supertall skyscraper located in the Magnificent Mile district of Chicago.

The tower features a 360-degree observatory and restaurant which offers amazing views of the city and allows visitors to see up to 80 miles (130 km) away, up to Lake Michigan.

John Hancock Center
John Hancock Center / Source

30. 30 Hudson Yards

  • Location: New York City, United States
  • Height: 395 meters (1,296 feet)
  • Completed: 2019

30 Hudson Yards is a supertall skyscraper in the West Side area of Manhattan, New York City.

It has a Neo-futuristic design and features a triangular observation deck on the 101st floor. It’s currently the sixth-tallest building in the city.

30 Hudson Yards
30 Hudson Yards / Greaper37 / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en

31. Bank of China Tower

  • Location: 1 Garden Road Central, Hong Kong
  • Height: 367.4 meters (1,205.4 feet)
  • Completed: 1990

The Bank of China Tower houses the headquarters of the Bank of China Limited company and is famous for its distinct design featuring triangular frameworks covered with glass panels.

Upon completion, it was the tallest skyscraper in Hong Kong and the first supertall skyscraper outside of the United States.

Bank of China Tower
Bank of China Tower / WiNG / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.es

32. Jin Mao Tower

  • Location: Shanghai, China
  • Height: 420.5 meters (1,380 feet)
  • Completed: 1999

Jin Mao Tower translates to “Golden Prosperity Tower” and is part of the triple supertall skyscraper complex in the Pudong area of Shanghai, the only one of its kind in the world.

The other ones are the Shanghai Tower and the Shanghai World Financial Center. It was the first of the 3 to be completed and the “shortest” of the three.

Jin Mao Tower Shanghai
Jin mao Tower / Wiki Commons

33. Lotte World Tower

  • Location: Seoul, South Korea
  • Height: 555.7 meters (1,823 feet)
  • Completed: 2016

The Lotte World Tower has been planned as early as 1997, but it wasn’t until the year 2010 that approval for its construction was granted.

It was completed in 2016 and became the tallest skyscraper in South Korea. It is currently the 5th tallest skyscraper in the world.

Lotte Tower
Lotte Tower / Tyvic / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en

34. Woolworth Building

  • Location: New York City, United States
  • Height: 241 meters (792 feet)
  • Completed: 1912

The Woolworth Building is one of the earliest skyscrapers in the world and was the tallest building in the world from 1913 to 1930.

One of the most remarkable facts about the Woolworth Building is that it remains one of the top 100 tallest skyscrapers in the world, well over a century after it was completed.

Woolworth Building
Woolworth Building / Source

35. Torre de Cristal

  • Location: Madrid, Spain
  • Height: 249 meters (817 feet)
  • Completed: 2009

The Torre de Cristal is one of the 4 skyscrapers located in the “Cuatro Torres” business district in the Spanish capital of Madrid.

It is just one meter taller than its neighbor, the “Torre Cepsa,” making it the tallest skyscraper in Spain. It’s also the third-tallest building in the European Union at the moment.

torre de cristal
Torre de Cristal / Wiki Commons

36. Ping An Finance Centre

  • Location: Shenzhen, China
  • Height: 599 meters (1,965 feet)
  • Completed: 2017

The Ping An Finance Center is a supertall skyscraper in Shenzhen, Guandong, China. It’s the second-tallest skyscraper in China at the moment and the fourth-tallest in the world.

It also houses the highest observation deck inside a building in the world at a height of 562.2 meters (1,844 feet), a record it shares with the Shanghai Tower.

Ping An Finance Center
Ping An Finance Center / Wishva de Silva / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en

37. CTF Finance Centre

  • Location: Guangzhou, China
  • Height: 530 meters (1,739 feet)
  • Completed: 2016

The Guangzhou Chow Tai Fook Finance Centre is also sometimes referred to as the “East Tower” and is the third-tallest skyscraper in China at the moment and the 8th-tallest in the world.

It’s part of a twin-tower complex with the other tower being the Guangzhou International Finance Center which is 439 meters (1,439 feet) tall.

CTF Finance Center
CTF Finance Center / Wiki Commons / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en

38. KK100

  • Location: Shenzhen, China
  • Height: 442 meters (1,450 feet)
  • Completed: 2011

The KK100 was previously known as the “Kingkey 100” and “Kingkey Finance Tower” and is another supertall skyscraper in Shenzhen, China.

It’s located in the financial district of the city and just one kilometer away from the border of Hong Kong and mainland China. It has a height-width ratio of 9.5:1 making it one of the slimmest skyscrapers in China.

KK100
KK100 / Wiki Commons / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en

39. Met Life Tower

  • Location: New York City, United States
  • Height: 213.4 meters (700 feet)
  • Completed: 1909

The “Met Life Tower,” also known as the “Metropolitan Life Insurance Company Tower” or “South Tower” is a skyscraper in the Flatiron District of Manhattan in New York City.

It’s one of the oldest skyscrapers in the world and was the tallest building in the world from 1909 until 1913 when it was surpassed by the Woolworth Building.

Metlife Tower
MetLife Tower / Beyond My Ken / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

40. Cayan Tower

  • Location: Dubai United Arab Emirates
  • Height: 306 meters (1,004 feet)
  • Completed: 2013

The Cayan Tower, previously known as the “Infinity Tower” before it was inaugurated, was designed by the same group that designed Burj Khalifa.

This 75-story skyscraper became the tallest building in the world with a complete 90-degree twist and held this record until it was surpassed by the Shanghai Tower in February 2015.

Cayan Tower
Cayan Tower / Source

41. Kingdom Center

  • Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
  • Height: 302.3 meters (992 feet)
  • Completed: 2002

The Kingdom Center is a skyscraper in the capital of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh. At the moment it is the third-tallest building with a hole and sky bridge at the top after the Shanghai World Financial Center and the 85 Sky Tower in Taiwan.

The sky bridge is a 300-ton steel structure with an observatory and windows on both sides.

Kingdom Center
Kingdom Center / HK Woo / Source

42. Turning Torso

  • Location: Malmö, Sweden
  • Height: 190 meters (623 feet)
  • Completed: 2005

The Turning Torso is a twisting skyscraper located on the Swedish side of the Öresund strait which separates Sweden and Denmark.

It is considered to be the first skyscraper with a twisting design and has won several awards including the 10-Year Award from the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat in August 2015.

Turning Torso Malmo
Turning Torso / Source

43. Princess Tower

  • Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
  • Height: 413.4 meters (1,356 feet)
  • Completed: 2012

The Princess Tower is a residential skyscraper in the Marina district of Dubai. At the moment it’s the third tallest building in Dubai, after the Burj Khalifa and Marina 101.

Upon completion, it was the tallest residential skyscraper in the world and held this record from 2012 until 2015.

Princess Tower Dubai
Princess Tower (tallest) / Steven Straiton / CC BY 2.0

44. Central Plaza

  • Location: Wan Chai, Hong Kong
  • Height: 374 meters (1,227 feet)
  • Completed: 1992

The Central Plaza skyscraper is a 78-story skyscraper in Hong Kong that was completed in 1992.

Upon completion, it became the tallest skyscraper in Asia and held this record from 1992 until 1996. At the moment it remains the third-tallest skyscraper in Hong Kong.

Central Plaza Hong Kong
Central Plaza / Tatata at wts q373 / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

45. Eureka Tower

  • Location: Melbourne, Australia
  • Height: 297.3 meters (975 feet)
  • Completed: 2006

The Eureka Tower is located in the Southbank precinct of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Upon completion it was the tallest residential tower when measured to its highest floor, a record it held until 2010.

It was also the tallest skyscraper in Melbourne until it was surpassed by Australia 108 in 2019.

Eureka Tower
Eureka Tower / MelbourneStar / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en

46 Zifeng Tower

  • Location: Nanjing, China
  • Height: 450 meters (1,480 feet)
  • Completed: 2010

The Zifeng Tower was previously known as the Nanjing Greenland Financial Center and the Greenland Square Zifeng Tower.

It houses a hotel, multiple restaurants, and a public observatory. It’s the tallest building in the city and currently the 6th-tallest building in China.

Zifeng Tower
Zifeng Tower / Source

47. China Zun

  • Location: Beijing, China
  • Height: 527.7 meters (1,731 feet)
  • Completed: 2018

China Zun is officially referred to as the CITIC Tower and is located in the Central Business District of Beijing.

Its nickname is derived from an ancient Chinese wine vessel that inspired the building’s design. It is the tallest building in Beijing, surpassing the second-tallest building with over 190 meters.

China Zun
China Zun / Bairuilong / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en

48. CITIC Plaza

  • Location: Guangzhou, China
  • Height: 390.2 meters (1,280 feet)
  • Completed: 1997

The China International Trust and Investment Plaza, better known as the CITIC Plaza, is an 80-story office skyscraper in the Tianhe District of Guangzhou.

Upon completion, it became the tallest concrete building in the world until it was surpassed by the Trump Tower in Chicago in 2008.

CITIC Plaza
CITIC Plaza / Nissangeniss / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en

49. Shun Hing Square

  • Location: Shenzhen, China
  • Height: 384 meters (1,260 feet)
  • Completed: 1996

The Shun Hing Square is also known as the “Di Wang Tower” and was briefly the tallest skyscraper in China until it was surpassed by the CITIC Plaza.

It was also the tallest skyscraper in Shenzhen until 2011 and has been surpassed by 4 other skyscrapers already.

Shun Hing Square
Shun Hing Square / Source

50. 23 Marina Tower

  • Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
  • Height: 392.8 meters (1,289 feet)
  • Completed: 2012

The 23 Marina Tower is another residential skyscraper in the Marina area of Dubai and has 89 stories.

It was the tallest residential skyscraper in the world until it was surpassed by its neighbor, the Princess Tower. The tower features 57 swimming pools and each duplex has its private elevator.

23 Marina Tower
23 Marina Tower (left) / Source

51. Landmark 81

  • Location: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
  • Height: 461.2 meters (1,513 feet)
  • Completed: 2018

Landmark 81 is a supertall skyscraper and is the tallest skyscraper in Vietnam and the tallest completed skyscraper in all of Southeast Asia as well.

It’s built on the western banks of the Saigon River just north of the city’s historic center, and it has a remarkable Neo-futuristic design.

Landmark 81
Landmark 81 / Huỳnh Vĩ Nhơn / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en

52. Bank of America Tower

  • Location: New York City, United States
  • Height: 365.8 meters (1,200 feet)
  • Completed: 2009

The Bank of America Tower is a supertall skyscraper in the Midtown area of Manhattan, New York City.

In July 2019 it was valued at an astounding $3.5 billion, making it the most expensive office building in the city. It’s claimed to be the most efficient and ecologically friendly building in the world.

Bank of America Tower
Bank of America Tower / Jleon / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en

53. U.S. Bank Tower

  • Location: Los Angeles, United States
  • Height: 310.3 meters (1,018 feet)
  • Completed: 1989

The U.S. Bank Tower was formerly known as the Library Tower and First Interstate Bank World Center and is the second-tallest skyscraper in Los Angeles at the moment.

It used to be the tallest building in the world which featured a roof-top heliport. It held this record until 2010 when it was surpassed by the China World Trade Center Tower III.

U.S. Bank Tower
U.S. Bank Tower / Selvingarcia / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en

54. Trump International Hotel and Tower

  • Location: Chicago, United States
  • Height: 423.2 meters (1,388 feet)
  • Completed: 2009

The Trump International Hotel and Tower is a supertall skyscraper in Downtown Chicago that features condos and a 339-room hotel.

Upon completion, it held the record for having the highest residence in the world until it was surpassed by Burj Khalifa.

Trump International Hotel and Tower
Trump International Hotel and Tower / Wiki Commons

55. Seagram Building

  • Location: New York City, United States
  • Height: 157 meters (516 feet)
  • Completed: 1958

The Seagram Building is a skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan and was completed in the year 1958.

It’s on the National Register of Historic Places and has been listed as a city landmark by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission, and is famous for its corporate modern architecture.

Seagram Building
Seagram Building / Source

56. Rose Tower

  • Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
  • Height: 333.2 meters (1,093 feet)
  • Completed: 2007

The Rose Tower is officially called the “Rose Rayhaan by Rotana,” and is a supertall skyscraper that houses a hotel in Dubai.

It was the world’s tallest hotel from 2009 until 2012. The tower was completed in 2007 but the hotel didn’t open until December 23, 2009.

Rose Tower
Rose Tower / Source

57. Citigroup Center

  • Location: New York City, United States
  • Height: 279 meters (915 feet)
  • Completed: 1976

The Citigroup Center is also known as “601 Lexington Avenue” and is an office skyscraper located between Lexington and Third Avenues in Midtown Manhattan in New York City.

The skyscraper was built to house the headquarters of Citibank and is famous for its 45 degrees tilted top.

Citigroup Center
Citigroup Center / Source

58. King Power Mahanakhon

  • Location: Bangkok, Thailand
  • Height: 314 meters (1,030 feet)
  • Completed: 2016

The King Power MahaNakhon was formerly known as just the “MahaNakhon” and is a supertall skyscraper located in the Central Business District of the capital of Thailand, Bangkok.

It’s one of the most distinctive skyscrapers in the world because it appears some parts of the tower are missing. It features both residences and a hotel.

King Power Mahanakhon
King Power Mahanakhon / Source

59. Evolution Tower

  • Location: Moscow, Russia
  • Height: 246 meters (807 feet)
  • Completed: 2014

The Evolution Tower in Moscow is a 51-story office building and was designed to represent a DNA-like shape.

The tower was bought by oil company “Transneft” for about $1 billion in 2016 and it now houses the company’s headquarters. It’s one of the most fascinating skyscrapers on the entire list because of its remarkable design.

Evolution tower moscow
Evolution Tower / Source

60. Montparnasse Tower

  • Location: Paris, France
  • Height: 210 meters (690 feet)
  • Completed: 1973

The Montparnasse Tower, better known as the “Tour Montparnasse,” is an office skyscraper located in the Montparnasse arrondissement of Paris, France.

It was the tallest building in France until 2011 when it was surpassed by the 231-meter (758 feet) Tour First. It remains the tallest building outside of the “La Défense” business district in Paris.

Montparnassae tower

61. Torre Glòries

  • Location: Barcelona, Spain
  • Height: 144.44 meters (473.88 feet)
  • Completed: 2004

The Agbar Tower is currently known as the “Torre Glòries” and is one of the most remarkable skyscrapers in the world.

It was built to mark the gateway to the new technological district of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, and used to be owned by the multinational group Agbar.

Agbar Tower

62. Commerzbank Tower

  • Location: Frankfurt, Germany
  • Height: 300.1 meters (985 feet)
  • Completed: 1997

The Commerzbank Tower is the most prominent skyscraper in the Frankfurt skyline and is located in the city’s main banking district.

The tower has been owned by the Samsung Corporation in South Korea since 2016. It was the tallest building in Europe from 1997 until 2003.

Commerzbank tower
Commerzbank Tower / Epizentrum / Wiki Commons

63. Abraj Al-Bait Tower

  • Location: Mecca, Saudi Arabia
  • Height: 601 meters (1,972 feet)
  • Completed: 2012

The Abraj Al-Bait translates to “Towers of the House” and is a government-owned complex of seven skyscraper hotels in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

It’s located right next to Islam’s most sacred place and the Great Mosque of Mecca. It’s the 5th tallest free-standing building in the world at the moment.

Abraj al bait towers
Abraj Al-Bait Tower / Source

64. Bitexco Financial Tower

  • Location: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
  • Height: 262.5 meters (861 feet)
  • Completed: 2010

The Bitexco Financial Tower is a skyscraper in the capital of Vietnam and is owned by a Vietnamese multi-industry company called the Bitexco Group.

It was the tallest building in Vietnam upon completion and it’s one of the coolest skyscrapers in the world!

Bitexco Financial Tower
Bitexco Financial Tower / Diego Delso / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en

65. Gran Torre Santiago

  • Location: Santiago, Chile
  • Height: 300 meters (984 feet)
  • Completed: 2013

The Gran Torre Santiago is officially known as the “Costanera Center Torre 2” and is located in the capital of Chile, Santiago.

The tower is the tallest building in South America and is part of the Costanera Center complex, which includes the largest shopping mall in Latin America as well.

Gran Torre Santiago
Gran Torre Santiago / Source

66. Steinway Tower

  • Location: New York City, United States
  • Height: 435 meters (1,428 feet)
  • Completed: 2021

The Steinway Tower is a brand-new pencil tower in New York City. It’s the thinnest skyscraper in the world and is located on the famous Billionaires’ Row in Midtown Manhattan, right next to Central Park.

It’s one of the many residential skyscrapers in the area which features a small number of extremely luxurious and expensive condominiums in of the most exclusive areas in the city!

Interesting steinway tower facts
The tower and Central Park / Photos Michael Young via YIMBY

67. Salesforce Tower

  • Location: San Francisco, United States
  • Height: 326 meters (1,070 feet)
  • Completed: 2018

The Salesforce Tower surpassed the Transamerica Pyramid as the tallest skyscraper in San Francisco upon its completion in 2018.

Its design was based on the Gran Torre Santiago, designed by the same renowned architect, César Pelli. Its crown features a 9-story electronic work of art that illuminates the city’s skyline with videos taken in the city during the day.

Salesforce tower at night
Salesforce tower at night / Eric Johnson / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en

68. 20 Fenchurch Street

  • Location: London, United Kingdom
  • Height: 160 meters (525 feet)
  • Completed: 2014

20 Fenchurch Street is nicknamed the “Walkie-Talkie” because of its peculiar shape. It was designed by Uruguayan architect Rafael Viñoly and has received its share of criticism over the years, culminating in winning the “Carbuncle Cup” for the worst building in the UK in 2015.

Regardless, it’s a fascinating addition to the London skyline and offers a free observation platform on its top 3 floors called the “Sky Garden.”

Walkie talkie building london facts
The “Walkie-Talkie” (left) / Diego Delso / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en