List of tallest buildings and structures in the world
Encyclopedia
The world's tallest structure is the 829.84 m (2,723 ft) tall Burj Khalifa in Dubai
, United Arab Emirates. The building gained the official title of "Tallest Building in the World" at its opening on January 4, 2010. It is taller than any other man-made structure ever built.
The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat
, an organization that certifies buildings as the "World’s Tallest", recognizes a building only if at least fifty percent of its height is made up of floor plates containing habitable floor area. Structures that do not meet this criterion, such as the CN Tower
, are defined as "towers".
There are dozens of radio and television broadcasting towers
which measure over 600 metres (about 2,000 ft) in height, and only the tallest are recorded in publicly available information sources.
For buildings, there is debate over:
This category does not require the structure be "officially" opened.
The tallest man-made structure is Burj Khalifa, a skyscraper in Dubai that reached 829.84 m (2,723 ft) in height on January 17, 2009. By April 7, 2008 it had been built higher than the KVLY-TV mast
in North Dakota, USA. That September it officially surpassed Poland
's 646.38 m (2,120.7 ft) Warsaw radio mast
, which stood from 1974 to 1991, to become the tallest structure ever built. Guyed lattice towers such as these masts had held the world height record since 1954.
The CN Tower
in Toronto, Canada, standing at 553.3 m (1,815.3 ft), was formerly the world's tallest completed freestanding structure on land. Opened in 1976, it was surpassed in height by the rising Burj Khalifa on September 12, 2007. It has the world's second highest public observation deck at 446.5 m (1,464.9 ft).
The Petronius Platform
stands 610 m (2,001.3 ft) off the sea floor leading some, including Guinness World Records
2007, to claim it as the tallest freestanding structure in the world. However, it is debated whether underwater height should be discounted in the same manner as height below ground is ignored on buildings. The Troll A platform
is 472 m (1,548.6 ft), without any part of that height being supported by wires. The tension-leg
type of oil platform has even greater below-water heights with several examples more than 1000 m (3,280.8 ft) deep. However, these platforms are not considered constant structures as the vast majority of their height is made up of the length of the tendons attaching the floating platforms to the sea floor. Despite this, Guinness World Records 2009 listed the Ursa tension leg platform
as the tallest structure in the world with a total height of 1306 m (4,284.8 ft). The Magnolia Tension-leg Platform
in the Gulf of Mexico
is even taller with a total height of 1432 m (4,698.2 ft).
Taipei 101
in Taipei, Taiwan, set records in three of the four skyscraper categories at the time it opened in 2004; at the time the Burj Khalifa opened in 2010 it remained the world's tallest inhabited building 509.2 m (1,670.6 ft) as measured to its architectural height (spire). The height of its roof 449.2 m (1,473.8 ft) and highest occupied floor 439.2 m (1,440.9 ft) had been surpassed by the Shanghai World Financial Center
with corresponding heights of 487 m (1,597.8 ft) and 474 m (1,555.1 ft) respectively. Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) was highest in the final category: the greatest height to top of antenna of any building in the world at 527.3 m (1,730 ft).
Burj Khalifa broke the height record in all four categories for completed buildings by a wide margin. The Shanghai World Financial Center
had the world's highest roof, highest occupied floor, and the world's highest public observation deck at 474.2 m (1,555.8 ft). It retains the latter record, as Burj Khalifa's official observation deck will be at 442 m (1,450.1 ft).
s and other permanent architectural features, but not antennas
. The tradition of including the spire on top of a building and not including the antenna dates back to the rivalry between the Chrysler Building
and 40 Wall Street
. A modern-day example is that the antenna on top of Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) is not considered part of its architectural height, while the spires on top of the Petronas Twin Towers are counted.
Note: The following table is a list of the tallest structure in each of the categories below. There can only be one structure in each category, unless the title for the tallest is a draw.
* Mixed-Use is defined as having three or more real estate uses (such as retail, office, hotel, etc.) that are physically and functionally integrated in a single property and are mutually supporting.
in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia were built, controversy arose because the spire extended nine metres higher than the roof of Willis Tower. Excluding the spire, the Petronas Towers are not taller than Willis Tower. At their convention in Chicago, the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat
(CTBUH) reduced Willis Tower from world's tallest and pronounced it not second tallest, but third, and pronounced Petronas as world's tallest. This action caused a considerable amount of controversy, so CTBUH defined four categories in which the world's tallest building can be measured:
The height is measured from the level of the lowest, significant, open-air, pedestrian entrance. At the time, the Willis Tower held first place in the second and third categories, the Petronas Towers held the first category and the original World Trade Towers held the fourth. Within months, however, a new antenna mast was placed on the Willis Tower, giving it hold of the fourth category.
On April 20, 2004, Taipei 101 in Taipei, Taiwan, was completed. Its completion gave it the world record for the first three categories. On July 21, 2007 it was announced that Burj Khalifa had surpassed Taipei 101 in height, reaching 512 m (1,679.8 ft).
Since being completed in early 2010, Burj Khalifa leads in all categories (the first building to do so). With a spire height of 829.84 m (2,723 ft), Burj Khalifa surpassed Taipei 101 as the tallest building to architectural detail and the Willis Tower as the tallest building to tip. It also leads in the category of highest occupied floor.
Before Burj Khalifa was completed, Willis Tower led in the fourth category with 527 m (1,729 ft), previously held by the World Trade Center
until the extension of the Chicago tower's western broadcast antenna in 2000, over a year prior to the World Trade Center's destruction
in 2001. Its antenna mast included, One World Trade Center measured 526 m (1,725.7 ft). The World Trade Center became the world's tallest buildings to be destroyed or demolished; indeed, its site entered the record books twice on September 11, 2001, in that category, replacing the Singer Building
, which once stood a block from the World Trade Center site. A different superlative for skyscrapers is their number of floors. The World Trade Center set that at 110, and this was not surpassed for nearly four decades until the Burj Khalifa, which opened in 2010.
Structures such as the CN Tower, the Ostankino Tower
and the Oriental Pearl Tower
are excluded from these categories because they are not "habitable buildings", which are defined as frame structures made with floors and walls throughout.
(See also history of tallest skyscrapers.)
The world's tallest freestanding structure on land is defined as the tallest self-supporting man-made structure that stands above ground. This definition is different from that of world's tallest building or world's tallest structure based on the percentage of the structure that is occupied and whether or not it is self-supporting or supported by exterior cables. Likewise, this definition does not count structures that are built underground or on the seabed
, such as the Petronius Platform
in the Gulf of Mexico
. Visit world's tallest structure by category for a list of various other definitions.
As of May 12, 2008, the tallest freestanding structure on land is the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The building, which now stands at 829.84 m (2,723 ft), surpassed the height of the previous record holder, the 553.3 m (1,815.3 ft) CN Tower in Toronto, Ontario, on September 12, 2007. It was completed in 2010, and was topped out at 829.84 m (2,723 ft) in January 2009.
until Empire State Building).
Notable mentions include the Pharos (lighthouse) of Alexandria
, built in the third century BC and estimated between 115–135 m (383–440 ft). It was the world's tallest non-pyramidal building for many centuries. Another notable mention includes the Jetavanaramaya
stupa
in Anuradhapura
, Sri Lanka, which was built in the third century, and was similarly tall at 122 m (400.3 ft). These were both the world's tallest or second tallest non-pyramidal buildings for over a thousand years.
The tallest secular building between the collapse of the Pharos and the erection of the Washington Monument
may have been the Torre del Mangia
in Siena
, which is 102 m (334.6 ft) tall, and was constructed in the first half of the fourteenth century, and the 97 m (318.2 ft) tall Torre degli Asinelli in Bologna
, also Italy, built between 1109 and 1119.
since inauguration of Eiffel Tower.
Higher observation decks have existed on mountain tops
or cliffs, rather than on tall structures. For example, the Royal Gorge Bridge
in Cañon City, Colorado
, USA, was constructed in 1929 spanning the Royal Gorge
at a height of 321 m (1,053.1 ft) above the Arkansas River
. The Grand Canyon Skywalk
, constructed in 2007, protrudes 70 ft (21.3 m) over the west rim of the Grand Canyon and is approximately 1100 m (3,608.9 ft) above the Colorado River
, making it the highest of these types of structures.
, here is a timeline of world's tallest guyed masts, since the beginning of radio technology.
As many large guyed masts were destroyed at the end of World War II, the dates for the years between 1945 and 1950 may be incorrect. If Wusung Radio Tower
survived World War II, it was the tallest guyed structure shortly after World War II.
Notes:
Source: Emporis
for structures that have been or are being proposed.
Dubai
Dubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates . The emirate is located south of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula and has the largest population with the second-largest land territory by area of all the emirates, after Abu Dhabi...
, United Arab Emirates. The building gained the official title of "Tallest Building in the World" at its opening on January 4, 2010. It is taller than any other man-made structure ever built.
The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat
Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat
The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat is an international body in the field of tall buildings and sustainable urban design...
, an organization that certifies buildings as the "World’s Tallest", recognizes a building only if at least fifty percent of its height is made up of floor plates containing habitable floor area. Structures that do not meet this criterion, such as the CN Tower
CN Tower
The CN Tower is a communications and observation tower in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Standing tall, it was completed in 1976, becoming the world's tallest free-standing structure and world's tallest tower at the time. It held both records for 34 years until the completion of the Burj...
, are defined as "towers".
There are dozens of radio and television broadcasting towers
Radio masts and towers
Radio masts and towers are, typically, tall structures designed to support antennas for telecommunications and broadcasting, including television. They are among the tallest man-made structures...
which measure over 600 metres (about 2,000 ft) in height, and only the tallest are recorded in publicly available information sources.
Debate over definitions
When assessing the placings of structures, there is some debate about:- whether a structure under construction should be included in the list
- whether a building or structure has to be officially opened before it is included on the list.
- whether structures rising out of water should have their below-water height included.
- what should be counted as a building or a towerTowerA tower is a tall structure, usually taller than it is wide, often by a significant margin. Towers are distinguished from masts by their lack of guy-wires....
, and what is being measured. - for towers, whether guy-wireGuy-wireA guy-wire or guy-rope, also known as simply a guy, is a tensioned cable designed to add stability to structures . One end of the cable is attached to the structure, and the other is anchored to the ground at a distance from the structure's base...
-supported structures should be counted.
For buildings, there is debate over:
- whether only habitable height is considered
- whether communication towers with observation galleries should be considered "habitable" in this sense
- whether rooftop antennas, viewing platforms or any other architecture that does not form floors, walls and rooms, i.e. not built as an occupiable room, should be considered towards height of building
- what would stop a room built on top of a telecommunications or viewing tower from changing the tower's class to that of "building"
- why a building that is not officially opened should be excluded from the ranks of tallest buildings
- what counts as an official opening
Tallest structures
The tallest man-made structure is Burj Khalifa, a skyscraper in Dubai that reached 829.84 m (2,723 ft) in height on January 17, 2009. By April 7, 2008 it had been built higher than the KVLY-TV mast
KVLY-TV mast
The KVLY-TV mast is a tall television-transmitting mast in Blanchard, Traill County, North Dakota, United States, used by Fargo station KVLY-TV channel 11...
in North Dakota, USA. That September it officially surpassed Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
's 646.38 m (2,120.7 ft) Warsaw radio mast
Warsaw radio mast
The Warsaw radio mast was the world's tallest structure until its collapse on 8 August 1991. It is the second tallest land-based structure ever built, being surpassed as tallest by the Burj Khalifa, completed in 2010....
, which stood from 1974 to 1991, to become the tallest structure ever built. Guyed lattice towers such as these masts had held the world height record since 1954.
The CN Tower
CN Tower
The CN Tower is a communications and observation tower in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Standing tall, it was completed in 1976, becoming the world's tallest free-standing structure and world's tallest tower at the time. It held both records for 34 years until the completion of the Burj...
in Toronto, Canada, standing at 553.3 m (1,815.3 ft), was formerly the world's tallest completed freestanding structure on land. Opened in 1976, it was surpassed in height by the rising Burj Khalifa on September 12, 2007. It has the world's second highest public observation deck at 446.5 m (1,464.9 ft).
The Petronius Platform
Petronius Platform
Petronius is a deepwater compliant tower oil platform operated by Chevron Corporation and Marathon Oil in the Gulf of Mexico, 210 km southeast of New Orleans, United States....
stands 610 m (2,001.3 ft) off the sea floor leading some, including Guinness World Records
Guinness World Records
Guinness World Records, known until 2000 as The Guinness Book of Records , is a reference book published annually, containing a collection of world records, both human achievements and the extremes of the natural world...
2007, to claim it as the tallest freestanding structure in the world. However, it is debated whether underwater height should be discounted in the same manner as height below ground is ignored on buildings. The Troll A platform
Troll A platform
The Troll A platform is a condeep offshore natural gas platform in the Troll gas field off the west coast of Norway. It is the tallest construction that has ever been moved to another position, relative to the surface of the Earth, and is among the largest and most complex engineering projects in...
is 472 m (1,548.6 ft), without any part of that height being supported by wires. The tension-leg
Tension-leg platform
A Tension-leg platform or Extended Tension Leg Platform is a vertically moored floating structure normally used for the offshore production of oil or gas, and is particularly suited for water depths greater than 300 metres and less than 1500 meters...
type of oil platform has even greater below-water heights with several examples more than 1000 m (3,280.8 ft) deep. However, these platforms are not considered constant structures as the vast majority of their height is made up of the length of the tendons attaching the floating platforms to the sea floor. Despite this, Guinness World Records 2009 listed the Ursa tension leg platform
Ursa tension leg platform
The Ursa tension leg platform is an oil platform with a tension leg structure located at about southeast of New Orleans in the Gulf of Mexico. It is operated by Shell Oil Company. It has a total height from the seabed to its top of ....
as the tallest structure in the world with a total height of 1306 m (4,284.8 ft). The Magnolia Tension-leg Platform
Magnolia Tension-leg Platform
Magnolia is an offshore oil drilling and production Extended Tension Leg Platform in the Gulf of Mexico. It is the world's deepest ETLP, reaching , beating the Marco Polo TLP by ....
in the Gulf of Mexico
Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico is a partially landlocked ocean basin largely surrounded by the North American continent and the island of Cuba. It is bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States, on the southwest and south by Mexico, and on the southeast by Cuba. In...
is even taller with a total height of 1432 m (4,698.2 ft).
Taipei 101
Taipei 101
Taipei 101 , formerly known as the Taipei World Financial Center, is a landmark skyscraper located in Xinyi District, Taipei, Taiwan. The building ranked officially as the world's tallest from 2004 until the opening of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai in 2010...
in Taipei, Taiwan, set records in three of the four skyscraper categories at the time it opened in 2004; at the time the Burj Khalifa opened in 2010 it remained the world's tallest inhabited building 509.2 m (1,670.6 ft) as measured to its architectural height (spire). The height of its roof 449.2 m (1,473.8 ft) and highest occupied floor 439.2 m (1,440.9 ft) had been surpassed by the Shanghai World Financial Center
Shanghai World Financial Center
The most distinctive feature in the design of the building is an aperture at the peak. The original design specified a circular aperture, in diameter, to reduce the stresses of wind pressure, as well as serve as a subtext for the design, since "Chinese mythology represents the earth with a square...
with corresponding heights of 487 m (1,597.8 ft) and 474 m (1,555.1 ft) respectively. Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) was highest in the final category: the greatest height to top of antenna of any building in the world at 527.3 m (1,730 ft).
Burj Khalifa broke the height record in all four categories for completed buildings by a wide margin. The Shanghai World Financial Center
Shanghai World Financial Center
The most distinctive feature in the design of the building is an aperture at the peak. The original design specified a circular aperture, in diameter, to reduce the stresses of wind pressure, as well as serve as a subtext for the design, since "Chinese mythology represents the earth with a square...
had the world's highest roof, highest occupied floor, and the world's highest public observation deck at 474.2 m (1,555.8 ft). It retains the latter record, as Burj Khalifa's official observation deck will be at 442 m (1,450.1 ft).
Tallest structure by category
Due to the disagreements over how to measure height and classify structures, engineers have created various definitions for categories of buildings and other structures. One measure includes the absolute height of a building, another includes only spireSpire
A spire is a tapering conical or pyramidal structure on the top of a building, particularly a church tower. Etymologically, the word is derived from the Old English word spir, meaning a sprout, shoot, or stalk of grass....
s and other permanent architectural features, but not antennas
Antenna (radio)
An antenna is an electrical device which converts electric currents into radio waves, and vice versa. It is usually used with a radio transmitter or radio receiver...
. The tradition of including the spire on top of a building and not including the antenna dates back to the rivalry between the Chrysler Building
Chrysler Building
The Chrysler Building is an Art Deco style skyscraper in New York City, located on the east side of Manhattan in the Turtle Bay area at the intersection of 42nd Street and Lexington Avenue. Standing at , it was the world's tallest building for 11 months before it was surpassed by the Empire State...
and 40 Wall Street
40 Wall Street
40 Wall Street is a 70-story skyscraper in New York City. Originally known as the Bank of Manhattan Trust building, and also known as Manhattan Company Building, it was later known by its street address when its founding tenant merged to form the Chase Manhattan Bank and today is known as the...
. A modern-day example is that the antenna on top of Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) is not considered part of its architectural height, while the spires on top of the Petronas Twin Towers are counted.
Note: The following table is a list of the tallest structure in each of the categories below. There can only be one structure in each category, unless the title for the tallest is a draw.
| Category | Structure | Country | City | Height (metres) | Height (feet) | Year Built | Coordinates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skyscraper – all categories | Burj Khalifa | United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates The United Arab Emirates, abbreviated as the UAE, or shortened to "the Emirates", is a state situated in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia on the Persian Gulf, bordering Oman, and Saudi Arabia, and sharing sea borders with Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Iran.The UAE is a... |
Dubai Dubai Dubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates . The emirate is located south of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula and has the largest population with the second-largest land territory by area of all the emirates, after Abu Dhabi... |
829.84 | 2,722.57 | 2010 | 25°11′50.0"N 55°16′26.6"E |
| Guyed Mast Radio masts and towers Radio masts and towers are, typically, tall structures designed to support antennas for telecommunications and broadcasting, including television. They are among the tallest man-made structures... |
KVLY-TV mast KVLY-TV mast The KVLY-TV mast is a tall television-transmitting mast in Blanchard, Traill County, North Dakota, United States, used by Fargo station KVLY-TV channel 11... |
United States | Blanchard Blanchard, North Dakota Blanchard is a census-designated place in Blanchard Township, Traill County, North Dakota in the United States. The population was 26 at the 2010 census.... |
628.8 | 2,063 | 1963 | 47°20′31.85"N 97°17′21.13"W |
| Clock tower Clock tower A clock tower is a tower specifically built with one or more clock faces. Clock towers can be either freestanding or part of a church or municipal building such as a town hall. Some clock towers are not true clock towers having had their clock faces added to an already existing building... |
Abraj Al Bait Towers Abraj Al Bait Towers The Abraj Al-Bait Towers, also known as the Mecca Royal Hotel Clock Tower, is a building complex in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The complex holds several world records, including the tallest hotel in the world, the tallest clock tower in the world, the world's largest clock face, and the world's largest... |
Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , commonly known in British English as Saudi Arabia and in Arabic as as-Sa‘ūdiyyah , is the largest state in Western Asia by land area, constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and the second-largest in the Arab World... |
Mecca Mecca Mecca is a city in the Hijaz and the capital of Makkah province in Saudi Arabia. The city is located inland from Jeddah in a narrow valley at a height of above sea level... |
601 | 1,972 | 2011 | 21°25′08"N 39°49′35"E |
| Self supporting tower | Tokyo Sky Tree | Japan | Tokyo | 634 | 2080 | 2011 | 35°42′36.5"N 139°48′39"E |
| Tower for scientific research | BREN Tower BREN Tower BREN Tower is a guyed steel framework mast, high, on the Nevada Test Site in Nevada, USA. "BREN" stands for "Bare Reactor Experiment, Nevada."... |
United States | Nevada Test Site | 462 | 1,516 | 1962 | 36°46′50.23"N 116°14′36.9"W |
| Mast radiator | Lualualei VLF transmitter Lualualei VLF transmitter VLF transmitter Lualualei is a facility of the United States Navy near Lualualei, Hawaii transmitting orders to submerged submarines in the very low frequency range. VLF transmitter Lualualei, which operates under the callsign NPM on 21.4 kHz and 23.4 kHz, uses as antenna two guyed... |
United States | Lualualei | 458 | 1,503 | 1962 | 21°25′11.87"N 158°08′53.67"W ; 21°25′13.38"N 158°09′14.35"W |
| Twin towers | Petronas Twin Towers Petronas Twin Towers The Petronas Towers are skyscrapers and twin towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia... |
Malaysia | Kuala Lumpur | 452 | 1,482 | 1998 | 3°09′27.45"N 101°42′40.7"E; 3°09′29.45"N 101°42′43.4"E |
| Chimney Chimney A chimney is a structure for venting hot flue gases or smoke from a boiler, stove, furnace or fireplace to the outside atmosphere. Chimneys are typically vertical, or as near as possible to vertical, to ensure that the gases flow smoothly, drawing air into the combustion in what is known as the... |
Ekibastuz GRES-2 Power Station | Kazakhstan | Ekibastusz | 419.7 | 1,377 | 1987 | 52°1′26.3"N 75°28′34.5"E |
| Radar Radar Radar is an object-detection system which uses radio waves to determine the range, altitude, direction, or speed of objects. It can be used to detect aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, weather formations, and terrain. The radar dish or antenna transmits pulses of radio... |
Dimona Radar Facility Dimona Radar Facility The Dimona Radar Facility is a facility under construction near Dimona, Israel consisting of two 400 meter tall radar towers, designed to track ballistic missiles through space and provide ground-based missiles with the targeting data needed to intercept them. Using AN/TPY-2 X-band radar, it can... |
Israel | Dimona | 400 | 1,312 | 2008 | ? |
| Lattice tower Lattice tower A lattice tower or truss tower is a freestanding framework tower. They can be used as electricity pylons especially for voltages above 100 kilovolts, as a radio tower or as an observation tower.... |
Kiev TV Tower Kiev TV Tower The Kiev TV Tower is a 385-metre lattice steel tower built in 1973 in Kiev, Ukraine, for radio and television broadcasting. It is the tallest freestanding lattice steel construction in the world. The tower is not open to the public.... |
Ukraine | Kiev | 385 | 1,263 | 1973 | 50°28′16.49"N 30°27′11.97"E |
| Partially guyed tower | Gerbrandy Tower Gerbrandy Tower The Gerbrandy Tower is a tower which was built in 1961 in the Netherlands.-Description:It is situated in IJsselstein. The Gerbrandy Tower is used for directional radio services and for FM- and TV-broadcasting. The Gerbrandy Tower consists of a concrete tower with a height of 100 meters on which a... |
Netherlands | IJsselstein | 366.8 | 1,203 | 1961 | 52°00′36.24"N 05°03′12.87"E |
| Guyed tubular steel mast | TV Tower Vinnytsia TV Tower Vinnytsia The TV Tower Vinnytsia is a 354 metre high guyed steel tube mast used for FM- and TV-transmission, located in Ukraine. A special feature of its structure are three crossbars arranged in 120 degree angles in two levels, running from its structure to the guys.TV Tower Vinnytsia is not the only... |
Ukraine | Vinnytsia | 354 | 1,161 | 1961 | 49°14′30.04"N 28°25′25.25"E |
| Electricity pylon Electricity pylon A transmission tower is a tall structure, usually a steel lattice tower, used to support an overhead power line. They are used in high-voltage AC and DC systems, and come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes... |
Yangtze River Crossing, Jiangyin | China | Jiangyin | 346.5 | 1,137 | 2004 | 31°57′4.77"N 120°02′53.94"E ; 31°58′17.71"N 120°03′12.4"E |
| Bridge pillar Pier (architecture) In architecture, a pier is an upright support for a superstructure, such as an arch or bridge. Sections of wall between openings function as piers. The simplest cross section of the pier is square, or rectangular, although other shapes are also common, such as the richly articulated piers of Donato... |
Millau Viaduct Millau Viaduct The Millau Viaduct is a cable-stayed road-bridge that spans the valley of the river Tarn near Millau in southern France. Designed by the British architect Norman Foster and French structural engineer Michel Virlogeux, it is the tallest bridge in the world, with one mast's summit at . It is the... |
France | Millau | 342 | 1,122 | 2004 | 44°4′58.94"N 3°1′19.25"E |
| Dam | Nurek Dam Nurek Dam The Nurek Dam is an earth fill embankment dam on the Vakhsh River in the central Asian nation of Tajikistan. Construction of the dam began in 1961 and was completed in 1980, when Tajikistan was still a republic within the Soviet Union. At it is currently the tallest dam in the world... |
Tajikistan | Nurek Nurak Nurek is a city in the Khatlon province of Tajikistan. It is situated on the Vakhsh River, 885 m above sea level, and is 70 km southeast of Dushanbe, the capital... |
300 | 984 | 1980 | 38°22′17.09"N 69°20′53.57"E |
| Concrete dam | Grande Dixence Dam Grande Dixence Dam The Grande Dixence Dam is a concrete gravity dam on the Dixence River at the head of the Val d'Hérens in the canton of Valais in Switzerland. At high, it is the tallest gravity dam in the world and is part of the Cleuson-Dixence Complex... |
Switzerland | Val d'Hérens | 285 | 935 | 1965 | 46°4′49.89"N 7°24′13.13"E |
| Electricity pylon built of concrete | Nanjing Yangtze River Crossing | China | Nanjing | 257 | 843 | 1992 | 31°57′46.52"N 118°36′58.5"E; 31°57′11.41"N 118°38′4.96"E |
| Electricity pylon for DC | Wuhan Yangtze River Crossing | China | Wuhan | 229 | 751 | 2003 | 31°30′37.01"N 118°21′11.1"E; 31°30′2.47"N 118°22′11.3"E |
| Minaret Minaret A minaret مناره , sometimes مئذنه) is a distinctive architectural feature of Islamic mosques, generally a tall spire with an onion-shaped or conical crown, usually either free standing or taller than any associated support structure. The basic form of a minaret includes a base, shaft, and gallery.... |
Hassan II Mosque Hassan II Mosque The Hassan II Mosque is a religious building in Casablanca, Morocco. It is the largest mosque in the country and the 7th largest mosque in the world. Its minaret is the world's tallest at .It stands on a promontory looking out to the Atlantic... |
Morocco | Casablanca | 210 | 689 | 1993 | 33°36′28.71"N 7°37′58.16"W |
| Wind turbine Wind turbine A wind turbine is a device that converts kinetic energy from the wind into mechanical energy. If the mechanical energy is used to produce electricity, the device may be called a wind generator or wind charger. If the mechanical energy is used to drive machinery, such as for grinding grain or... |
Fuhrländer Wind Turbine Laasow Fuhrländer Wind Turbine Laasow Fuhrländer Wind Turbine Laasow is a wind turbine, built in 2006 near the village of Laasow, Brandenburg, Germany. It consists of a 160 metre lattice tower, which carries a rotor 90 metres in diameter. It is the tallest wind turbine in the world... |
Germany | Laasow | 205 | 673 | 2006 | 51°43′16"N 14°6′22"E |
| Cooling tower Cooling tower Cooling towers are heat removal devices used to transfer process waste heat to the atmosphere. Cooling towers may either use the evaporation of water to remove process heat and cool the working fluid to near the wet-bulb air temperature or in the case of closed circuit dry cooling towers rely... |
Niederaussem Power Station Niederaussem Power Station Niederaussem Power Station is a lignite-fired power station in the Bergheim Niederaussem/Rhein Erft circle, owned by RWE. It consists of nine units, which were built between 1963 and 2003. It has a total output capacity of 3,864 MW and a net capacity of 3,627 MW... |
Germany | Niederaussem | 200 | 656 | 2003 | 50°59′45.91"N 6°40′16.79"E |
| Monument Monument A monument is a type of structure either explicitly created to commemorate a person or important event or which has become important to a social group as a part of their remembrance of historic times or cultural heritage, or simply as an example of historic architecture... |
Gateway Arch Gateway Arch The Gateway Arch, or Gateway to the West, is an arch that is the centerpiece of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial in St. Louis, Missouri. It was built as a monument to the westward expansion of the United States... |
United States | St. Louis St. Louis, Missouri St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St... |
192 | 630 | 1965 | 38°37′28.62"N 90°11′5.87"W |
| Wooden structure | ATLAS-I ATLAS-I ATLAS-I , better known as TRESTLE, or simply the Trestle, was the codename for a unique electromagnetic pulse generation and testing apparatus built between 1972 and 1980 during the Cold War at Sandia National Laboratories near Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico.ATLAS-I was the... at Kirtland Air Force Base Kirtland Air Force Base Kirtland Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located in the southeast quadrant of the Albuquerque, New Mexico urban area, adjacent to the Albuquerque International Sunport. The base was named for the early Army aviator Col. Roy C. Kirtland... |
United States | Albuquerque | 180 | 600 | 1980 | 35.029898°N 106.557574°W |
| Masonry tower Masonry Masonry is the building of structures from individual units laid in and bound together by mortar; the term masonry can also refer to the units themselves. The common materials of masonry construction are brick, stone, marble, granite, travertine, limestone; concrete block, glass block, stucco, and... |
Anaconda Smelter Stack Anaconda Smelter Stack The Anaconda Smelter Stack is a radial brick smoke stack, once part of the Anaconda Smelter at Anaconda, Montana in the United States. The stack rests on a concrete foundation and measures 585 feet 1.5 inches high. The inside diameter of the stack is at the bottom and at the top... |
United States | Anaconda Anaconda, Montana Anaconda, county seat of Anaconda City/Deer Lodge County, is located in mountainous southwestern Montana. The Continental Divide passes within 8 miles of the community with the local Pintler Mountain range reaching 10,379 feet... |
178.3 | 585 | 1919 | 46°06′36.53"N 112°54′48.8"W |
| Inclined structure Inclined tower An inclined tower is a tower that was intentionally built at an incline.The world's most popular inclined tower, despite the fact that it was not originally projected, designed, nor was it supposed to be inclined, is the Torre di Pisa, in Pisa, Italy.... , Stadium |
Olympic Stadium Olympic Stadium (Montreal) The Olympic Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in the Hochelaga-Maisonneuve district of Montreal, Quebec, Canada built as the main venue for the 1976 Summer Olympics... |
Canada | Montreal | 175 | 574 | 1976 | 45°33′33.53"N 73°33′7.61"W |
| Obelisk Obelisk An obelisk is a tall, four-sided, narrow tapering monument which ends in a pyramid-like shape at the top, and is said to resemble a petrified ray of the sun-disk. A pair of obelisks usually stood in front of a pylon... |
San Jacinto Monument San Jacinto Monument The San Jacinto Monument is a high column located on the Houston Ship Channel in unincorporated Harris County, Texas near the city of La Porte. The monument is topped with a 220-ton star that commemorates the site of the Battle of San Jacinto, the decisive battle of the Texas Revolution... |
United States | La Porte La Porte, Texas La Porte is a city in Harris County, Texas within the Bay Area of the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the city population was 31,880... |
173.7 | 570 | 1939 | 29°44′59.46"N 95°04′50.52"W |
| Church building | Chicago Temple Building Chicago Temple Building The Chicago Temple Building is a 173 meter tall skyscraper church located at 77 W. Washington St. in Chicago, Illinois, United States. It is home to the congregation of the First United Methodist Church of Chicago. It was completed in 1924 and has 23 floors dedicated to religious and office use... |
United States | Chicago | 173 | 568 | 1924 | 41°52′58.81"N 87°37′50.25"W |
| Masonry building Masonry Masonry is the building of structures from individual units laid in and bound together by mortar; the term masonry can also refer to the units themselves. The common materials of masonry construction are brick, stone, marble, granite, travertine, limestone; concrete block, glass block, stucco, and... |
Mole Antonelliana Mole Antonelliana The Mole Antonelliana is a major landmark of the Italian city of Turin. It is named for the architect who built it, Alessandro Antonelli. In Italian "Mole" indicates a building of monumental proportions. Construction began in 1863, soon after Italian unification and was completed 26 years later,... |
Italy | Torino | 167 | 548 | 1889 | 45°04′8.45"N 7°41′35.62"E |
| Masonry building | Philadelphia City Hall Philadelphia City Hall Philadelphia City Hall is the house of government for the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. At , including the statue, it is the world's second-tallest masonry building, only shorter than Mole Antonelliana in Turin... |
United States | Philadelphia | 167 | 548 | 1901 | 39°57′9.79"N 75°09′48.72"W |
| Ferris wheel Ferris wheel A Ferris wheel is a nonbuilding structure consisting of a rotating upright wheel with passenger cars attached to the rim in such a way that as the wheel turns, the cars are kept upright, usually by gravity.Some of the largest and most modern Ferris wheels have cars mounted on... |
Singapore Flyer Singapore Flyer The Singapore Flyer is a giant Ferris wheel located in Singapore, constructed in 2005–2008. Described by its operators as an observation wheel, it reaches 42 stories high, with a total height of , making it the tallest Ferris wheel in the world, taller than the Star of Nanchang and taller than... |
Singapore | Singapore | 165 | 541.3 | 2008 | 1°17′22.27"N 103°51′47.6"E |
| Church tower Steeple (architecture) A steeple, in architecture, is a tall tower on a building, often topped by a spire. Steeples are very common on Christian churches and cathedrals and the use of the term generally connotes a religious structure... |
Ulm Minster | Germany | Ulm | 162 | 530 | 1890 | 48°23′55"N 9°59′30.78"E |
| Flagpole, free-standing | National Flag Square | Azerbaijan | Baku | 162 | 530 | 2010 | ? |
| Industrial hall | Vehicle Assembly Building Vehicle Assembly Building The Vehicle Assembly Building, or VAB, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center was used to assemble and house American manned launch vehicles from 1968-2011. It is the fourth largest building in the world by volume... |
United States | Kennedy Space Center Kennedy Space Center The John F. Kennedy Space Center is the NASA installation that has been the launch site for every United States human space flight since 1968. Although such flights are currently on hiatus, KSC continues to manage and operate unmanned rocket launch facilities for America's civilian space program... |
160 | 525 | 1966 | 28°35′9.64"N 80°39′2.11"W |
| Dome Dome A dome is a structural element of architecture that resembles the hollow upper half of a sphere. Dome structures made of various materials have a long architectural lineage extending into prehistory.... |
Dome of the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace of Yamoussoukro Basilica of Our Lady of Peace of Yamoussoukro The Basilica of Our Lady of Peace of Yamoussoukro is a Roman Catholic minor basilica dedicated to Our Lady of Peace in Yamoussoukro, the administrative capital of Côte d'Ivoire . The basilica was constructed between 1985 and 1989 at a cost of $300 million... |
Côte d'Ivoire Côte d'Ivoire The Republic of Côte d'Ivoire or Ivory Coast is a country in West Africa. It has an area of , and borders the countries Liberia, Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso and Ghana; its southern boundary is along the Gulf of Guinea. The country's population was 15,366,672 in 1998 and was estimated to be... |
Yamoussoukro Yamoussoukro The District of Yamoussoukro is the official political capital and administrative capital city of Côte d'Ivoire, while the economic capital of the country is Abidjan. As of 2010, it was estimated to have 242,744 inhabitants... |
158 | 518 | 1990 | 6°48′40"N 5°17′47"W |
| Memorial cross Memorial Cross The Memorial Cross , often known as the Silver Cross, is a Canadian medal awarded to the mother, widow, widower, or next of kin of any member of the Canadian Forces who loses his or her life in active service, including peacekeeping, and other such international operations.-Design:The Memorial... |
Santa Cruz del Valle de los Caídos Santa Cruz del Valle de los Caídos The Valley of the Fallen is a Catholic basilica and a monumental memorial in the municipality of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, erected at Cuelgamuros Valley in the Sierra de Guadarrama, near Madrid, conceived by Spanish dictator Francisco Franco to honour and bury those who fell during the Spanish... |
Spain | El Escorial | 152.4 | 500 | 1957 | 40°38′31.46"N 4°9′19.6"W |
| Roller coaster Roller coaster The roller coaster is a popular amusement ride developed for amusement parks and modern theme parks. LaMarcus Adna Thompson patented the first coasters on January 20, 1885... |
Kingda Ka Kingda Ka Kingda Ka is a roller coaster located at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey, USA. It is the world's tallest roller coaster, and was the world's fastest until Formula Rossa opened in November 2010. The train is launched by a hydraulic launch mechanism to in 3.5 seconds. At the end of... |
United States | Jackson | 138.98 | 456 | 2005 | 40°08′26.54"N 74°25′59.83"W |
| Tomb Tomb A tomb is a repository for the remains of the dead. It is generally any structurally enclosed interment space or burial chamber, of varying sizes... |
Great Pyramid of Giza Great Pyramid of Giza The Great Pyramid of Giza is the oldest and largest of the three pyramids in the Giza Necropolis bordering what is now El Giza, Egypt. It is the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the only one to remain largely intact... |
Egypt | Giza | 138.8 | 455.2 | 2560 BC | 29°58′44.93"N 31°08′3.09"E |
| Lighthouse Lighthouse A lighthouse is a tower, building, or other type of structure designed to emit light from a system of lamps and lenses or, in older times, from a fire, and used as an aid to navigation for maritime pilots at sea or on inland waterways.... |
Jeddah Light Jeddah Light Jeddah Light is an active lighthouse in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. With a height of approximately it has a credible claim to be the world's tallest lighthouse. It is located at the end of the outer pier on the north side of the entrance to Jeddah Seaport.... |
Saudi Arabia | Jeddah | 133 | 436 | ? | 21°28′07.14"N 39°08′58.98"E |
| Air traffic control tower | Suvarnabhumi Airport control tower Suvarnabhumi Airport Suvarnabhumi Airport , also known as Bangkok International Airport, is an international airport serving Bangkok, Thailand. It was officially opened for limited domestic flight service on 15 September 2006, and opened for most domestic and all international commercial flights on 28 September... |
Thailand | Bangkok | 132.2 | 433.7 | 2006 | 13°41′47.05"N 100°44′58.8"E |
| Statue Statue A statue is a sculpture in the round representing a person or persons, an animal, an idea or an event, normally full-length, as opposed to a bust, and at least close to life-size, or larger... (including pedestal) |
Spring Temple Buddha Spring Temple Buddha The Spring Temple Buddha is a statue depicting Vairocana Buddha located in the Zhaocun township of Lushan County, Henan, China. It is placed within the Fodushan Scenic Area, close to National Freeway no. 311. The statue was completed in 2002.... |
China | Lushan County | 128 | 420 | 2002 | 33.775150°N 112.451016°E |
| Storage silo Storage silo A silo is a structure for storing bulk materials. Silos are used in agriculture to store grain or fermented feed known as silage. Silos are more commonly used for bulk storage of grain, coal, cement, carbon black, woodchips, food products and sawdust. Three types of silos are in widespread use... |
Henninger Turm Henninger Turm The Henninger-Turm is a grain storage silo located in the Frankfurt district of Sachsenhausen. It was built by the Henninger Brewery and has a storage capacity of 16,000 tons of barley. The , 33-story high tower was designed by Karl Lieser and was built from 1959 to 1961... |
Germany | Frankfurt | 120 | 394 | 1961 | 50°05′50.18"N 8°41′36.81"E |
| Sculpture | Spire of Dublin Spire of Dublin The Spire of Dublin, officially titled the Monument of Light is a large, stainless steel, pin-like monument in height, located on the site of the former Nelson's Pillar on O'Connell Street in Dublin, Ireland.-Details:... |
Ireland | Dublin | 120 | 393 | 2003 | 53°20′59.28"N 6°15′36.93"W |
| Aerial tramway Aerial tramway An aerial tramway , cable car , ropeway or aerial tram is a type of aerial lift which uses one or two stationary ropes for support while a third moving rope provides propulsion... support tower |
Pillar of third section of Gletscherbahn Kaprun Glacial Aerial Tramway Kaprun III The Glacial Aerial Tramway Kaprun III is the third section of the aerial tramway on the Kitzsteinhorn mountain at Kaprun, Austria. It was placed in service on 26 November 1966.... |
Austria | Kaprun | 113.6 | 373 | 1966 | 47°11′58.62"N 12°41′16.96"E |
| Electricity pylon for single phase AC | Bremen-Industriehafen Traction Current Powerline Crossing | Germany | Bremen | 111 | 364 | 1972-1974 | 53°07′38.17"N 8°39′56.2"E ; 53°07′22.09"N 8°40′9.13"E |
| Sphere Sphere A sphere is a perfectly round geometrical object in three-dimensional space, such as the shape of a round ball. Like a circle in two dimensions, a perfect sphere is completely symmetrical around its center, with all points on the surface lying the same distance r from the center point... |
Ericsson Globe | Sweden | Stockholm | 85 | 279 | 1989 | 59°17′36.92"N 18°04′58.79"E |
| Brick lighthouse Lighthouse A lighthouse is a tower, building, or other type of structure designed to emit light from a system of lamps and lenses or, in older times, from a fire, and used as an aid to navigation for maritime pilots at sea or on inland waterways.... |
Lighthouse of Genoa Torre della Lanterna The Lighthouse of Genoa , is the main lighthouse for the city's port. Besides being an important aid to night navigation in the vicinity, the tower serves as a symbol for the City of Genoa, and is one of the oldest standing structures of its kind in the world... |
Italy | Genoa | 77 | 253 | 1128 | 44°24′16.25"N 8°54′16.67"E |
| Brick minaret Minaret A minaret مناره , sometimes مئذنه) is a distinctive architectural feature of Islamic mosques, generally a tall spire with an onion-shaped or conical crown, usually either free standing or taller than any associated support structure. The basic form of a minaret includes a base, shaft, and gallery.... |
Qutub Minar Qutub Minar Qutub Minar also Qutb Minar, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located in Delhi, India. The Qutub Minar is constructed with red sandstone and marble, and is the tallest minaret in India, with a height of 72.5 meters , contains 379 stairs to reach the top, and the diameter of base is 14.3 meters... |
India India India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world... |
Delhi | 72.5 | 237.8 | 1386 | 28°31′27.93"N 77°11′7.37"E |
| Windmill | De Nolet De Nolet De Nolet is a wind turbine in Schiedam, The Netherlands which resembles a traditional Schiedam windmill... |
Netherlands | Schiedam | 55 | 180 | 2006 | 51°54′27.18"N 4°24′29.61"E |
Tallest destroyed structures by category, not surpassed by existing structures
There are some destroyed architectural structures which were taller than the tallest existing structure of their type.| Category | Structure | Country | City | Height (metres) | Height (feet) | Coordinates | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guyed mast Guyed mast A guyed mast is a tall thin vertical structure that receives support from guy lines.Guyed masts are frequently used for radio masts. The mast can either support aerials mounted at its top, or the entire structure itself can function as an antenna ; this is called a mast radiator... |
Warsaw Radio Mast Warsaw radio mast The Warsaw radio mast was the world's tallest structure until its collapse on 8 August 1991. It is the second tallest land-based structure ever built, being surpassed as tallest by the Burj Khalifa, completed in 2010.... |
Poland | Gąbin | 646.38 | 2,121 | 52°22′3.74"N 19°48′8.73"E | completed in 1974, collapsed on August 8, 1991 |
| Guyed tubular steel mast | Shushi-Wan Omega Transmitter | Japan | Tsushima | 389 | 1,276 | 34°36′53"N 129°27′13"E | completed in 1973, dismantled in 1998 |
| Structure for scientific experiment | Smoky Shot Tower | United States | Nevada Test Site Nevada Test Site The Nevada National Security Site , previously the Nevada Test Site , is a United States Department of Energy reservation located in southeastern Nye County, Nevada, about northwest of the city of Las Vegas... |
213 | 700 | Guyed mast, which carried 44 kt yield nuclear bomb "Smoky" ( part of operation Plumbbob Operation Plumbbob Operation Plumbbob was a series of nuclear tests conducted between May 28 and October 7, 1957, at the Nevada Test Site, following Operation Redwing, and preceding Operation Hardtack I... ) on top until its explosion on August 31, 1957 |
|
| Wooden structure | Mühlacker Wood Radio Tower | Germany | Mühlacker | 190 | 623 | 48°56′27.67"N 8°51′8.24"E | completed in 1934, destroyed on April 6, 1945, by the Germans to prevent usage by the Allies Allies of World War II The Allies of World War II were the countries that opposed the Axis powers during the Second World War . Former Axis states contributing to the Allied victory are not considered Allied states... , replaced by mast radiator |
| Masonry building Masonry Masonry is the building of structures from individual units laid in and bound together by mortar; the term masonry can also refer to the units themselves. The common materials of masonry construction are brick, stone, marble, granite, travertine, limestone; concrete block, glass block, stucco, and... |
Mole Antonelliana Mole Antonelliana The Mole Antonelliana is a major landmark of the Italian city of Turin. It is named for the architect who built it, Alessandro Antonelli. In Italian "Mole" indicates a building of monumental proportions. Construction began in 1863, soon after Italian unification and was completed 26 years later,... |
Italy | Torino | 167.5 | 549.5 | 45°04′8.45"N 7°41′35.62"E | spire destroyed by a tornado Tornado A tornado is a violent, dangerous, rotating column of air that is in contact with both the surface of the earth and a cumulonimbus cloud or, in rare cases, the base of a cumulus cloud. They are often referred to as a twister or a cyclone, although the word cyclone is used in meteorology in a wider... in 1953 (Rebuilt since then). |
| Pre-Industrial Era building Steeple (architecture) A steeple, in architecture, is a tall tower on a building, often topped by a spire. Steeples are very common on Christian churches and cathedrals and the use of the term generally connotes a religious structure... |
Lincoln Cathedral Lincoln Cathedral Lincoln Cathedral is a historic Anglican cathedral in Lincoln in England and seat of the Bishop of Lincoln in the Church of England. It was reputedly the tallest building in the world for 249 years . The central spire collapsed in 1549 and was not rebuilt... |
England | Lincoln | 160 | 524 | 53°14′3.26"N 0°32′10.54"W | completed in 1311, spire blown off in 1549 |
| Lighthouse Lighthouse A lighthouse is a tower, building, or other type of structure designed to emit light from a system of lamps and lenses or, in older times, from a fire, and used as an aid to navigation for maritime pilots at sea or on inland waterways.... |
Lighthouse of Alexandria Lighthouse of Alexandria The Lighthouse of Alexandria, also known as the Pharos of Alexandria , was a tower built between 280 and 247 BC on the island of Pharos at Alexandria, Egypt... |
Egypt | Alexandria | 115–135 | 377–443 | 31°12′51"N 29°53′06"E | completed in 279 BC, destroyed by an earthquake in 1323 |
| Water tower | Oak Ridge Water Tower | United States | Oak Ridge, TN | 114,3 | 375 | destroyed in 2010 |
Tallest building by function
| Category | Structure | Country | City | Architectural top (metres) | Architectural top (feet) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mixed-Use* | Burj Khalifa | United Arab Emirates | Dubai | 829.84 | 2,717 |
| Office | Taipei 101 Taipei 101 Taipei 101 , formerly known as the Taipei World Financial Center, is a landmark skyscraper located in Xinyi District, Taipei, Taiwan. The building ranked officially as the world's tallest from 2004 until the opening of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai in 2010... |
Taiwan | Taipei | 509 | 1,671 |
| Hotel | Rose Tower | United Arab Emirates | Dubai | 333 | 1,093 |
| Residential | 23 Marina 23 Marina 23 Marina is a residential skyscraper in Dubai and was built by the Hiranandani Group based in Mumbai, India. The tower has 90 floors and is . It is the world's Tallest all-residential building... |
United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates The United Arab Emirates, abbreviated as the UAE, or shortened to "the Emirates", is a state situated in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia on the Persian Gulf, bordering Oman, and Saudi Arabia, and sharing sea borders with Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Iran.The UAE is a... |
Dubai Dubai Dubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates . The emirate is located south of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula and has the largest population with the second-largest land territory by area of all the emirates, after Abu Dhabi... |
395 | 1,296 |
| Educational | Moscow State University Moscow State University Lomonosov Moscow State University , previously known as Lomonosov University or MSU , is the largest university in Russia. Founded in 1755, it also claims to be one of the oldest university in Russia and to have the tallest educational building in the world. Its current rector is Viktor Sadovnichiy... |
Russia | Moscow | 240 | 787 |
| Church | Ulm Minster | Germany | Ulm | 143 | 469 |
| Hospital | Guy's Hospital Guy's Hospital Guy's Hospital is a large NHS hospital in the borough of Southwark in south east London, England. It is administratively a part of Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust. It is a large teaching hospital and is home to the King's College London School of Medicine... |
United Kingdom | London | 143 | 468 |
| Library | Shanghai Library Shanghai Library Shanghai Library is the second largest library in China after the National Library of China in Beijing. It is located in Shanghai, China. At 24 stories and 348 feet tall, it is the tallest library in the world... |
China | Shanghai | 106 | 348 |
Tallest buildings
Up until 1998 the tallest building status was essentially uncontested. Counting buildings as structures with floors throughout, and with antenna masts excluded, Willis Tower (previously Sears Tower) in Chicago was considered the tallest. When the Petronas Twin TowersPetronas Twin Towers
The Petronas Towers are skyscrapers and twin towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia...
in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia were built, controversy arose because the spire extended nine metres higher than the roof of Willis Tower. Excluding the spire, the Petronas Towers are not taller than Willis Tower. At their convention in Chicago, the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat
Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat
The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat is an international body in the field of tall buildings and sustainable urban design...
(CTBUH) reduced Willis Tower from world's tallest and pronounced it not second tallest, but third, and pronounced Petronas as world's tallest. This action caused a considerable amount of controversy, so CTBUH defined four categories in which the world's tallest building can be measured:
- Height to Architectural Top (including spireSpireA spire is a tapering conical or pyramidal structure on the top of a building, particularly a church tower. Etymologically, the word is derived from the Old English word spir, meaning a sprout, shoot, or stalk of grass....
s and pinnacles, but not antennas, masts or flagpoles). This measurement is the most widely used and is used to define the rankings of the 100 Tallest Buildings in the World. - Highest Occupied Floor
- Height to Top of Roof (omitted from criteria from November 2009 onwards)
- Height to Tip
The height is measured from the level of the lowest, significant, open-air, pedestrian entrance. At the time, the Willis Tower held first place in the second and third categories, the Petronas Towers held the first category and the original World Trade Towers held the fourth. Within months, however, a new antenna mast was placed on the Willis Tower, giving it hold of the fourth category.
On April 20, 2004, Taipei 101 in Taipei, Taiwan, was completed. Its completion gave it the world record for the first three categories. On July 21, 2007 it was announced that Burj Khalifa had surpassed Taipei 101 in height, reaching 512 m (1,679.8 ft).
Since being completed in early 2010, Burj Khalifa leads in all categories (the first building to do so). With a spire height of 829.84 m (2,723 ft), Burj Khalifa surpassed Taipei 101 as the tallest building to architectural detail and the Willis Tower as the tallest building to tip. It also leads in the category of highest occupied floor.
Before Burj Khalifa was completed, Willis Tower led in the fourth category with 527 m (1,729 ft), previously held by the World Trade Center
World Trade Center
The original World Trade Center was a complex with seven buildings featuring landmark twin towers in Lower Manhattan, New York City, United States. The complex opened on April 4, 1973, and was destroyed in 2001 during the September 11 attacks. The site is currently being rebuilt with five new...
until the extension of the Chicago tower's western broadcast antenna in 2000, over a year prior to the World Trade Center's destruction
September 11, 2001 attacks
The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks (also referred to as September 11, September 11th or 9/119/11 is pronounced "nine eleven". The slash is not part of the pronunciation...
in 2001. Its antenna mast included, One World Trade Center measured 526 m (1,725.7 ft). The World Trade Center became the world's tallest buildings to be destroyed or demolished; indeed, its site entered the record books twice on September 11, 2001, in that category, replacing the Singer Building
Singer Building
The Singer Building or Singer Tower at Liberty Street and Broadway in Manhattan, was a 47-story office building completed in 1908 as the headquarters of the Singer Manufacturing Company. It was demolished in 1968 and is now the site of 1 Liberty Plaza....
, which once stood a block from the World Trade Center site. A different superlative for skyscrapers is their number of floors. The World Trade Center set that at 110, and this was not surpassed for nearly four decades until the Burj Khalifa, which opened in 2010.
Structures such as the CN Tower, the Ostankino Tower
Ostankino Tower
Ostankino Tower is a free-standing television and radio tower in Moscow, Russia. Standing tall, Ostankino was designed by Nikolai Nikitin. It is a member of the World Federation of Great Towers, currently the tallest in Europe and 4th tallest in the world. The tower was the first free-standing...
and the Oriental Pearl Tower
Oriental Pearl Tower
The Oriental Pearl Tower is a TV tower in Shanghai, China. The Oriental Pearl Tower is located at the tip of Lujiazui in the Pudong district, by the side of Huangpu River, opposite of The Bund....
are excluded from these categories because they are not "habitable buildings", which are defined as frame structures made with floors and walls throughout.
History of record holders in each CTBUH category
| Date (Event) | | Architectural top | Highest occupied floor | Roof | Tip |
| 2010: Burj Khalifa completed | Burj Khalifa | Burj Khalifa | Burj Khalifa | |
| 2009: CTBUH omits Height to Roof category | Taipei 101 | Shanghai World Financial Center | Willis Tower | |
| 2008: Shanghai World Financial Center Shanghai World Financial Center The most distinctive feature in the design of the building is an aperture at the peak. The original design specified a circular aperture, in diameter, to reduce the stresses of wind pressure, as well as serve as a subtext for the design, since "Chinese mythology represents the earth with a square... completed |
Taipei 101 | Shanghai World Financial Center | Shanghai World Financial Center | Willis Tower |
| 2003: Taipei 101 Taipei 101 Taipei 101 , formerly known as the Taipei World Financial Center, is a landmark skyscraper located in Xinyi District, Taipei, Taiwan. The building ranked officially as the world's tallest from 2004 until the opening of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai in 2010... completed |
Taipei 101 | Taipei 101 | Taipei 101 | Willis Tower |
| 2000: Willis Tower antenna extension | Petronas Towers | Willis Tower | Willis Tower | Willis Tower |
| 1998: Petronas Towers completed | Petronas Towers | Willis Tower | Willis Tower | World Trade Center |
| 1996: CTBUH defines categories | Willis Tower | Willis Tower | Willis Tower | World Trade Center |
World's tallest freestanding structure on land
Freestanding structures include observation towers, monuments and other structures not generally considered to be "Habitable buildings", but excludes supported structures such as guyed masts and ocean drilling platforms.(See also history of tallest skyscrapers.)
The world's tallest freestanding structure on land is defined as the tallest self-supporting man-made structure that stands above ground. This definition is different from that of world's tallest building or world's tallest structure based on the percentage of the structure that is occupied and whether or not it is self-supporting or supported by exterior cables. Likewise, this definition does not count structures that are built underground or on the seabed
Seabed
The seabed is the bottom of the ocean.- Ocean structure :Most of the oceans have a common structure, created by common physical phenomena, mainly from tectonic movement, and sediment from various sources...
, such as the Petronius Platform
Petronius Platform
Petronius is a deepwater compliant tower oil platform operated by Chevron Corporation and Marathon Oil in the Gulf of Mexico, 210 km southeast of New Orleans, United States....
in the Gulf of Mexico
Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico is a partially landlocked ocean basin largely surrounded by the North American continent and the island of Cuba. It is bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States, on the southwest and south by Mexico, and on the southeast by Cuba. In...
. Visit world's tallest structure by category for a list of various other definitions.
As of May 12, 2008, the tallest freestanding structure on land is the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The building, which now stands at 829.84 m (2,723 ft), surpassed the height of the previous record holder, the 553.3 m (1,815.3 ft) CN Tower in Toronto, Ontario, on September 12, 2007. It was completed in 2010, and was topped out at 829.84 m (2,723 ft) in January 2009.
History
The following is a list of structures that have held the title as the tallest freestanding structure on land. (See also Timeline of three tallest structures in the worldTimeline of three tallest structures in the world
This is the timeline of the 3 highest man-made structures in the world that have the strength to carry more than their own weight.- Overview :...
until Empire State Building).
| Record from | Record to | Name and Location | Constructed | Height (metres) | Height (feet) | Coordinates | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| c. 10000 BC | c. 8000 BC | Tell Qaramel Tell Qaramel Tell Qaramel is a tell, or archaeological mound, located in the north of present-day Syria, 25 km north of Aleppo and about 65 km south of the Taurus mountains, adjacent to the river Quweiq.... , Syria |
c. 10000 BC | 4.1 | 14 | 36°22′40"N 37°16′30"E | Tallest permanent settlement in late Neolithic |
| c. 8000 BC | c. 2700 BC | Tower of Jericho Tower of Jericho The Tower of Jericho is an stone structure, built in the Pre-Pottery Neolithic A period around 8000 BCE. It is among the earliest stone monuments of mankind.... , West Bank |
c. 8000 BC | 8.5 | 28 | 31°51′19.60"N 35°27′43.85"E | Oldest Tower Structure in the World |
| c. 2700 BC | c. 2600 BC | Pyramid of Djoser Pyramid of Djoser The Pyramid of Djoser , or step pyramid is an archeological remain in the Saqqara necropolis, Egypt, northwest of the city of Memphis. It was built during the 27th century BC for the burial of Pharaoh Djoser by Imhotep, his vizier... , Egypt |
c. 2700 BC | 62 | 203 | 29°52′16.53"N 31°12′59.59"E | |
| c. 2600 BC | c. 2570 BC | Red Pyramid Red Pyramid The Red Pyramid, also called the North Pyramid, is the largest of the three major pyramids located at the Dahshur necropolis. Named for the rusty reddish hue of its stones, it is also the third largest Egyptian pyramid, after those of Khufu and Khafra at Giza. At the time of its completion, it was... of Sneferu Sneferu Sneferu, also spelled as Snephru, Snefru or Snofru , was the founder of the Fourth dynasty of Egypt. Estimates of his reign vary, with for instance The Oxford History of Ancient Egypt suggesting a reign from around 2613 BC to 2589 BC, a reign of 24 years, while Rolf Krauss suggests a 30-year reign... , Egypt |
c. 2600 BC | 105 | 345 | 29°48′31.39"N 31°12′22.49"E | |
| c. 2570 BC | c. 1311 AD | Great Pyramid of Giza Great Pyramid of Giza The Great Pyramid of Giza is the oldest and largest of the three pyramids in the Giza Necropolis bordering what is now El Giza, Egypt. It is the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the only one to remain largely intact... in Egypt |
c. 2570 BC | 146 | 481 | 29°58′44.93"N 31°08′3.09"E | By 1439, the Great Pyramid had eroded to a height of approximately 139 m (456 ft). |
| 1311 | 1549 | Lincoln Cathedral Lincoln Cathedral Lincoln Cathedral is a historic Anglican cathedral in Lincoln in England and seat of the Bishop of Lincoln in the Church of England. It was reputedly the tallest building in the world for 249 years . The central spire collapsed in 1549 and was not rebuilt... in England |
1092–1311 | 160 | 525 | 53°14′3.26"N 0°32′10.54"W | The central spire was destroyed in a storm in 1549. While the reputed height of 525 ft (160 m) is accepted by most sources, others consider it doubtful |
| 1549 | 1625 | St. Olaf's Church in Tallinn Tallinn Tallinn is the capital and largest city of Estonia. It occupies an area of with a population of 414,940. It is situated on the northern coast of the country, on the banks of the Gulf of Finland, south of Helsinki, east of Stockholm and west of Saint Petersburg. Tallinn's Old Town is in the list... , Estonia |
1438–1519 | 159 | 522 | 59°26′29.07"N 24°44′51.09"E | The spire burnt down after a lightning strike in 1625 and was rebuilt several times. The height is 123 m (403.5 ft) . |
| 1625 | 1647 | St. Mary's Church St. Mary's church, Stralsund St. Mary's Church is located in Stralsund, northern Germany.Built some time before 1298, it is architecturally Gothic, and was loosely modelled on St. Mary's Church in Lübeck. Between 1625 and 1647, it was the world's second tallest building at tall, after 160 m tall Lincoln Cathedral.The bell... in Stralsund Stralsund - Main sights :* The Brick Gothic historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.* The heart of the old town is the Old Market Square , with the Gothic Town Hall . Behind the town hall stands the imposing Nikolaikirche , built in 1270-1360... , Germany |
1384–1478 | 151 | 495 | 54°18′36.01"N 13°5′14.81"E | The spire burnt down after a lightning strike in 1647. The height is 104 m (341.2 ft) . |
| 1647 | 1874 | Strasbourg Cathedral Strasbourg Cathedral Strasbourg Cathedral or the Cathedral of Our Lady of Strasbourg is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Strasbourg, France. Although considerable parts of it are still in Romanesque architecture, it is widely consideredSusan Bernstein: , The Johns Hopkins University Press to be among the finest... in France |
1439 | 142 | 469 | 48°34′54.22"N 7°45′1.48"E | |
| 1874 | 1876 | St. Nikolai St. Nikolai, Hamburg The Gothic Revival Church of St. Nicholas was formerly one of the five Lutheran Hauptkirchen in the city of Hamburg. It is now in ruins, serving as a memorial and an important architectural landmark. When Hamburg residents mention the Nikolaikirche, it is generally to this church that they are... in Hamburg, Germany |
1846–1874 | 147 | 483 | 53°32′50.94"N 9°59′26.12"E | |
| 1876 | 1880 | Cathédrale Notre Dame Rouen Cathedral Rouen Cathedral is a Roman Catholic Gothic cathedral in Rouen, in northwestern France. It is the seat of the Archbishop of Rouen and Normandy.-History:... in Rouen, France |
1202–1876 | 151 | 495 | 49°26′24.54"N 1°5′41.85"E | |
| 1880 | 1884 | Cologne Cathedral Cologne Cathedral Cologne Cathedral is a Roman Catholic church in Cologne, Germany. It is the seat of the Archbishop of Cologne and the administration of the Archdiocese of Cologne. It is renowned monument of German Catholicism and Gothic architecture and is a World Heritage Site... in Germany |
1248–1880 | 157 | 515 | 50°56′28.08"N 6°57′25.73"E ;50°56′29.11"N 6°57′25.85"E | |
| 1884 | 1889 | Washington Monument Washington Monument The Washington Monument is an obelisk near the west end of the National Mall in Washington, D.C., built to commemorate the first U.S. president, General George Washington... in Washington D.C., United States |
1884 | 169 | 555 | 38°53′22.08"N 77°2′6.89"W | |
| 1889 | 1930 | Eiffel Tower Eiffel Tower The Eiffel Tower is a puddle iron lattice tower located on the Champ de Mars in Paris. Built in 1889, it has become both a global icon of France and one of the most recognizable structures in the world... in Paris, France |
1889 | 300 | 986 | 48°51′29.77"N 2°17′40.09"E | First structure to exceed 300 metres in height. The addition of a telecommunications tower in the 1950s brought the overall height to 324 m (1,063 ft). |
| 1930 | 1931 | Chrysler Building Chrysler Building The Chrysler Building is an Art Deco style skyscraper in New York City, located on the east side of Manhattan in the Turtle Bay area at the intersection of 42nd Street and Lexington Avenue. Standing at , it was the world's tallest building for 11 months before it was surpassed by the Empire State... in New York, United States |
1928–1930 | 319 | 1,046 | 40°45′5.78"N 73°58′31.52"W | |
| 1931 | 1967 | Empire State Building Empire State Building The Empire State Building is a 102-story landmark skyscraper and American cultural icon in New York City at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and West 34th Street. It has a roof height of 1,250 feet , and with its antenna spire included, it stands a total of 1,454 ft high. Its name is derived... in New York, United States |
1930–1931 | 381 | 1,250 | 40°44′54.95"N 73°59′8.71"W | First building with 100+ storeys. The addition of a pinnacle and antennas later increased its overall height to 448.7 m (1,472.1 ft). This was subsequently lowered to 443.1 m (1,453.7 ft). |
| 1967 | 1975 | Ostankino Tower Ostankino Tower Ostankino Tower is a free-standing television and radio tower in Moscow, Russia. Standing tall, Ostankino was designed by Nikolai Nikitin. It is a member of the World Federation of Great Towers, currently the tallest in Europe and 4th tallest in the world. The tower was the first free-standing... in Moscow, Russia |
1963–1967 | 537 | 1,762 | 55°49′10.94"N 37°36′41.79"E | Remains the tallest in Europe. Fire in 2000 led to extensive renovation. |
| 1975 | 2007 | CN Tower CN Tower The CN Tower is a communications and observation tower in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Standing tall, it was completed in 1976, becoming the world's tallest free-standing structure and world's tallest tower at the time. It held both records for 34 years until the completion of the Burj... in Toronto, Canada |
1973–1976 | 553 | 1,815 | 43°38′33.22"N 79°23′13.41"W | Remains the tallest in the Western Hemisphere Western Hemisphere The Western Hemisphere or western hemisphere is mainly used as a geographical term for the half of the Earth that lies west of the Prime Meridian and east of the Antimeridian , the other half being called the Eastern Hemisphere.In this sense, the western hemisphere consists of the western portions... |
| 2007 | present | Burj Khalifa in Dubai, United Arab Emirates | 2004–2009 | 829.84 | 2,717 | 25°11′50.0"N 55°16′26.6"E | Holder of world's tallest freestanding structure. Topped out at 829.84 m (2,723 ft) in 2009. |
Lighthouse of Alexandria
The Lighthouse of Alexandria, also known as the Pharos of Alexandria , was a tower built between 280 and 247 BC on the island of Pharos at Alexandria, Egypt...
, built in the third century BC and estimated between 115–135 m (383–440 ft). It was the world's tallest non-pyramidal building for many centuries. Another notable mention includes the Jetavanaramaya
Jetavanaramaya
The Jetavanaramaya is a stupa, located in the ruins of Jetavana Monastery in the sacred world heritage city of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. King Mahasena initiated the construction of the stupa following the destruction of Mahavihara, his son Maghavanna Ithe construction of the stupa...
stupa
Stupa
A stupa is a mound-like structure containing Buddhist relics, typically the remains of Buddha, used by Buddhists as a place of worship....
in Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura, , is one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka, famous for its well-preserved ruins of ancient Lankan civilization.The city, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, lies 205 km north of the current capital Colombo in Sri Lanka's North Central Province, on the banks of the historic...
, Sri Lanka, which was built in the third century, and was similarly tall at 122 m (400.3 ft). These were both the world's tallest or second tallest non-pyramidal buildings for over a thousand years.
The tallest secular building between the collapse of the Pharos and the erection of the Washington Monument
Washington Monument
The Washington Monument is an obelisk near the west end of the National Mall in Washington, D.C., built to commemorate the first U.S. president, General George Washington...
may have been the Torre del Mangia
Torre del Mangia
The Torre del Mangia is a tower in Siena, in the Tuscany region of Italy. Built in 1338-1348, it is located in the Piazza del Campo, Siena's premier square, adjacent to the Palazzo Pubblico . When built it was one of the tallest secular towers in mediaeval Italy...
in Siena
Siena
Siena is a city in Tuscany, Italy. It is the capital of the province of Siena.The historic centre of Siena has been declared by UNESCO a World Heritage Site. It is one of the nation's most visited tourist attractions, with over 163,000 international arrivals in 2008...
, which is 102 m (334.6 ft) tall, and was constructed in the first half of the fourteenth century, and the 97 m (318.2 ft) tall Torre degli Asinelli in Bologna
Bologna
Bologna is the capital city of Emilia-Romagna, in the Po Valley of Northern Italy. The city lies between the Po River and the Apennine Mountains, more specifically, between the Reno River and the Savena River. Bologna is a lively and cosmopolitan Italian college city, with spectacular history,...
, also Italy, built between 1109 and 1119.
World's highest observation deck
Timeline of development of world's highest observation deckObservation deck
__FORCETOC__ An observation deck, observation platform or viewing platform is an elevated sightseeing platform usually situated upon a tall architectural structure such as a skyscraper or observation tower...
since inauguration of Eiffel Tower.
| Held record | Name and Location | Constructed | Height above ground | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| From | To | m | ft | |||
| 1889 | 1931 | Eiffel Tower Eiffel Tower The Eiffel Tower is a puddle iron lattice tower located on the Champ de Mars in Paris. Built in 1889, it has become both a global icon of France and one of the most recognizable structures in the world... , Paris |
1889 | 275 | 902 | Two lower observation decks at 57 m (187 ft) and 115 m (377.3 ft). |
| 1931 | 1973 | Empire State Building Empire State Building The Empire State Building is a 102-story landmark skyscraper and American cultural icon in New York City at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and West 34th Street. It has a roof height of 1,250 feet , and with its antenna spire included, it stands a total of 1,454 ft high. Its name is derived... , New York City |
1931 | 369 | 1,211 | A second observation deck is located on the 86th floor at 320 m (1,049.9 ft). |
| 1973 | 1974 | World Trade Center World Trade Center The original World Trade Center was a complex with seven buildings featuring landmark twin towers in Lower Manhattan, New York City, United States. The complex opened on April 4, 1973, and was destroyed in 2001 during the September 11 attacks. The site is currently being rebuilt with five new... , New York City |
1973 | 399.4 | 1,310 | Indoor observatory on the 107th floor of South Tower opened on April 4, 1973. Destroyed during the September 11, 2001 attacks September 11, 2001 attacks The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks (also referred to as September 11, September 11th or 9/119/11 is pronounced "nine eleven". The slash is not part of the pronunciation... |
| 1974 | 1975 | Sears Tower Sears Tower Sears' optimistic growth projections were not met. Competition from its traditional rivals continued, with new competition by retailing giants such as Kmart, Kohl's, and Wal-Mart. The fortunes of Sears & Roebuck declined in the 1970s as the company lost market share; its management grew more... (since renamed Willis Tower), Chicago |
1974 | 412.4 | 1353 | 103rd floor Skydeck opened on June 22, 1974 |
| 1975 | 1976 | World Trade Center, New York City | 1973 | 420 | 1378 | Outdoor observatory on the South Tower rooftop opened on December 15, 1975. Destroyed during the September 11, 2001 attacks |
| 1976 | 2008 | CN Tower CN Tower The CN Tower is a communications and observation tower in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Standing tall, it was completed in 1976, becoming the world's tallest free-standing structure and world's tallest tower at the time. It held both records for 34 years until the completion of the Burj... , Toronto |
1976 | 446.5 | 1464.9 | Two further observation decks at 342 m (1,122 ft) and 346 m (1,135.2 ft). |
| 2008 | present | Shanghai World Financial Center Shanghai World Financial Center The most distinctive feature in the design of the building is an aperture at the peak. The original design specified a circular aperture, in diameter, to reduce the stresses of wind pressure, as well as serve as a subtext for the design, since "Chinese mythology represents the earth with a square... , Shanghai |
2008 | 474 | 1555 | Two further observation decks at 423 m (1,387.8 ft) and 439 m (1,440.3 ft). Note: Burj Khalifa, opened on January 4, 2010, has the world's highest outdoor observation deck at 452 m (1,482.9 ft). |
Higher observation decks have existed on mountain tops
Summit (topography)
In topography, a summit is a point on a surface that is higher in elevation than all points immediately adjacent to it. Mathematically, a summit is a local maximum in elevation...
or cliffs, rather than on tall structures. For example, the Royal Gorge Bridge
Royal Gorge Bridge
The Royal Gorge Bridge is a tourist attraction near Cañon City, Colorado, within a theme park. The bridge deck hangs above the Arkansas River, and held the record of highest bridge in the world from 1929 until 2003, when it was surpassed by the Beipanjiang River 2003 Bridge in China. It is a...
in Cañon City, Colorado
Cañon City, Colorado
The City of Cañon City is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and the most populous city of Fremont County, State of Colorado. The United States Census Bureau estimated that the city population was 16,000 in 2005. Cañon City is noted for being the location of nine state and four ...
, USA, was constructed in 1929 spanning the Royal Gorge
Royal Gorge
The Royal Gorge is a canyon on the Arkansas River near Cañon City, Colorado. With a width of at its base and a few hundred feet at its top, and a depth of in places, the 10-mile-long canyon is a narrow, steep gorge through the granite of Fremont Peak...
at a height of 321 m (1,053.1 ft) above the Arkansas River
Arkansas River
The Arkansas River is a major tributary of the Mississippi River. The Arkansas generally flows to the east and southeast as it traverses the U.S. states of Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. The river's initial basin starts in the Western United States in Colorado, specifically the Arkansas...
. The Grand Canyon Skywalk
Grand Canyon Skywalk
The Grand Canyon Skywalk is a transparent horseshoe-shaped cantilever bridge and tourist attraction in Arizona near the Colorado River on the edge of a side canyon in the Grand Canyon West area of the main canyon...
, constructed in 2007, protrudes 70 ft (21.3 m) over the west rim of the Grand Canyon and is approximately 1100 m (3,608.9 ft) above the Colorado River
Colorado River
The Colorado River , is a river in the Southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, approximately long, draining a part of the arid regions on the western slope of the Rocky Mountains. The watershed of the Colorado River covers in parts of seven U.S. states and two Mexican states...
, making it the highest of these types of structures.
Timeline of guyed structures on land
As most of the tallest structures are guyed mastsGuyed mast
A guyed mast is a tall thin vertical structure that receives support from guy lines.Guyed masts are frequently used for radio masts. The mast can either support aerials mounted at its top, or the entire structure itself can function as an antenna ; this is called a mast radiator...
, here is a timeline of world's tallest guyed masts, since the beginning of radio technology.
As many large guyed masts were destroyed at the end of World War II, the dates for the years between 1945 and 1950 may be incorrect. If Wusung Radio Tower
Wusung Radio Tower
Wusung Radio Tower is a 321 metres tall guyed mast situated at Wusong near Shanghai. Wusung Radio Mast was built in the 1930s and was at the time of inauguration the world's second tallest architectural structure after the Empire State Building.-References:...
survived World War II, it was the tallest guyed structure shortly after World War II.
| Held record | Name and Location | Constructed | Height (m) | Height (ft) | Coordinates | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| From | To | ||||||
| 1913 | 1920 | Central mast of Eilvese transmitter Eilvese transmitter Eilvese transmitter was a facility of Transradio AG for intercontinental VLF transmission of telegrams at Eilvese, Germany. It went into service in 1913 and used machine transmitters... , Eilvese, Germany |
1913 | 250 | 820 | 52°31′40"N 9°24′24"E | Mast was divided in 145 m by an insulator, demolished in 1931 |
| 1920 | 1923 | Central masts of Nauen Transmitter Station Nauen Transmitter Station Nauen Transmitter Station in Nauen, Havelland , Brandenburg, Germany, is the oldest transmitting plant in the world. It was founded on 1 April 1906 by Telefunken engineer R... , Nauen, Germany |
1920 | 260 | 853 | 52°38′56"N 12°54′30"E | 2 masts, demolished in 1946 |
| 1923 | 1933 | Masts of Ruiselede transmitter Zendmast Ruiselede The Zendmasts of Ruiselede were eight 287 metre high guyed radio masts at Ruiselede, Belgium, built in 1923 for carrying an aerial for VLF transmission . On 30 December 1933, an Imperial Airways aircraft crashed into a mast and demolished it... , Ruiselede, Belgium |
1923 | 287 | 942 | 51°4′44"N 3°20′6.9"E? | 8 masts, destroyed in 1940 |
| 1933 | 1939 | Lakihegy Tower Lakihegy Tower The Lakihegy Tower is a 314 metre high radio mast at Szigetszentmiklós-Lakihegy. The Blaw-Knox type tower was built in 1933 and was one of Europe's tallest structures at the time of construction... , Lakihegy, Hungary |
1933 | 314 | 1,031 | 47°22′23.45"N 19°0′17.21"E | Blaw-Knox Tower, insulated against ground, destroyed in 1945, afterwards rebuilt |
| 1939 | 1946 | Deutschlandsender Herzberg/Elster Deutschlandsender Herzberg/Elster The Deutschlandsender Herzberg/Elster was a 500 kilowatt long-wave transmitter at Herzberg/Elster, which was in service from 1939 to 1945. It used a 337 metre high guyed steel lattice mast of triangular cross section. This was used as a mast radiator and was therefore mounted on a 0.75 metre high... , Herzberg (Elster), Germany |
1939 | 335 | 1,099 | 51°42′59.76"N 13°15′51.5"E | Insulated against ground, dismantled 1946/1947 |
| 1946 | 1948 | Lakihegy Tower Lakihegy Tower The Lakihegy Tower is a 314 metre high radio mast at Szigetszentmiklós-Lakihegy. The Blaw-Knox type tower was built in 1933 and was one of Europe's tallest structures at the time of construction... , Lakihegy, Hungary |
1946 | 314 | 1,031 | 47°22′23.45"N 19°0′17.21"E | Blaw-Knox Tower, Insulated against ground, rebuilt after destruction in 1945 |
| 1948 | 1949 | WIVB-TV Tower WIVB-TV Tower The WIVB-TV Tower is a 321.9 meter tall guyed mast at 8242 Center Street in Colden, New York, United States. The tower, which is also known as LIN TV Tower was completed in 1948 and is used by WIVB for TV broadcasting. At the time of its completion, it was the second-tallest structure in the... , Colden, New York, USA |
1948 | 321.9 | 1,056 | 42°39′33.19"N 78°37′33.91"W | |
| 1949 | 1950 | Longwave transmitter Raszyn Longwave transmitter Raszyn The longwave transmitter Raszyn is a longwave broadcasting transmitter near Raszyn, Poland. It was built in 1949. Until 1962, its radio mast was, with a height of 335 metres, the tallest structure in Europe.... , Raszyn, Poland |
1949 | 335 | 1,099 | 52°4′21.72"N 20°53′2.15"E | Insulated against ground |
| 1950 | 1954 | Forestport Tower Forestport Tower Forestport Tower was a guyed, steel tower, insulated from the earth, so that the entire structure was used to radiate electromagnetic waves in the VLF and LF bands. The tower was located near Forestport in Oneida County, New York, United States. Forestport Tower was built in 1950... , Forestport, New York, USA |
1950 | 371.25 | 1,218 | 43°26′41.9"N 75°5′9.55"W | Insulated against ground, demolished |
| 1954 | 1956 | Griffin Television Tower Oklahoma Griffin Television Tower Oklahoma Griffin Television Tower Oklahoma is a 480.5 meter high guy-wired aerial mast for the transmission of FM radio and television programs in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA built in 1954... , Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA |
1954 | 480.5 | 1,576 | 35°32′58.59"N 97°29′50.27"W | |
| 1956 | 1959 | KOBR-TV Tower KOBR-TV Tower KOBR-TV Tower is a 490.7 meter high guy-wired aerial mast for the transmission of FM radio and television programs in Caprock, New Mexico, USA. KOBR-TV Tower was built in 1960. The original KSWS-TV Tower was built in December 1956 and was the same height at 1610 ft... , Caprock, New Mexico, USA |
1956 | 490.7 | 1,610 | 33°22′31.31"N 103°46′14.3"W | Collapsed in 1960, afterwards rebuilt |
| 1959 | 1960 | WGME TV Tower, Raymond, Maine, USA | 1959 | 495 | 1,624 | 43°55′28.43"N 70°29′26.72"W | |
| 1960 | 1962 | KFVS TV Mast KFVS TV Mast KFVS TV Mast is a guyed mast that is 1677 feet tall. It was built in 1960 and is located in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri, USA at 37°25′46″N, 89°30′14″W... , Cape Girardeau County, Missouri, USA |
1960 | 511.1 | 1,677 | 37°25′44.5"N 89°30′13.84"W | |
| 1962 | 1963 | WTVM/WRBL-TV & WVRK-FM Tower WTVM/WRBL-TV & WVRK-FM Tower WTVM/WRBL-TV & WVRK-FM Tower, also known as the WTVM TV Mast, is a 533 meter guyed mast used for television broadcasting by WTVM/WRBL and FM radio broadcasting by WVRK-FM. It is located near Cusseta, Georgia, USA at 32°19′26.0″N, 84°46′46″W.... , Cusseta, Georgia, USA |
1962 | 533 | 1,749 | 32°19′25.09"N 84°46′45.07"W | |
| 1963 | 1963 | WIMZ-FM-Tower, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA | 1963 | 534.01 | 1,752 | 36°08′05.49"N 83°43′28.01"W | |
| 1963 | 1974 | KVLY-TV mast KVLY-TV mast The KVLY-TV mast is a tall television-transmitting mast in Blanchard, Traill County, North Dakota, United States, used by Fargo station KVLY-TV channel 11... , Blanchard, North Dakota, USA |
1963 | 628.8 | 2,063 | 47°20′31.85"N 97°17′21.13"W | |
| 1974 | 1991 | Warsaw Radio Mast Warsaw radio mast The Warsaw radio mast was the world's tallest structure until its collapse on 8 August 1991. It is the second tallest land-based structure ever built, being surpassed as tallest by the Burj Khalifa, completed in 2010.... , Gąbin, Poland |
1974 | 646.4 | 2,121 | 52°22′3.74"N 19°48′8.73"E | Mast radiator insulated against ground, collapsed in 1991 |
| 1991 | KVLY-TV mast, Blanchard, North Dakota, USA | 1963 | 628.8 | 2,063 | 47°20′31.85"N 97°17′21.13"W | ||
Tallest structures, freestanding structures, and buildings
The list categories are:- The structures (supported) list uses pinnacle height and includes architectural structures of any type that might use some external support constructions like cables and are fully built in air. Only the three tallest are listed, as more than fifty US TV masts have stated heights of 600–610 metres (1969–2000 ft).
- The structures (media supported) list uses pinnacle height and includes architectural structures of any type that are not totally built in the air but are using support from other, denser media like salt water. All structures greater than 500 metres (1,640 ft) are listed.
- The freestanding structures list uses pinnacle height and includes structures over 400 metres (1,312 ft) that do not use guy-wireGuy-wireA guy-wire or guy-rope, also known as simply a guy, is a tensioned cable designed to add stability to structures . One end of the cable is attached to the structure, and the other is anchored to the ground at a distance from the structure's base...
s or other external supports. This means truly free standing on its own or, in similar sense, non-supported structures. - The building list uses architectural height (excluding antennas) and includes only buildings, defined as consisting of habitable floors. Both of these follow CTBUH guidelines. All supertall buildings (300 m and higher) are listed.
Notes:
- Seven buildings appear on the freestanding structures category list with different heights than of another category. This is due to the different measurement specifications of those lists.
- Only current heights and, where reasonable, target heights are listed. Historical heights of structures that no longer exist, for example, for having collapsed, are excluded.
| Rank | Name and location | Year completed |
Architectural top (metres) |
Architectural top (feet) |
Floors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structures (supported) | |||||
| 1 | KVLY-TV mast KVLY-TV mast The KVLY-TV mast is a tall television-transmitting mast in Blanchard, Traill County, North Dakota, United States, used by Fargo station KVLY-TV channel 11... , Blanchard, North Dakota, United States |
1963 | 629 metres (2,063.6 ft) | – | |
| 2 | KXJB-TV mast KXJB-TV mast The KXJB-TV mast is a television transmitting tower in Traill County, North Dakota, United States. At 2060 ft , it is the fourth-tallest artificial structure in the world, shorter by 3 ft than the KVLY-TV mast which stands a few miles away.Located 3.5 miles northeast of Galesburg,... , Galesburg, North Dakota, United States |
1998 | 628 metres (2,060.4 ft) | – | |
| 3 | KXTV/KOVR Tower KXTV/KOVR Tower The KXTV/KOVR tower is a guyed communication tower in Walnut Grove, California, United States that rises to 2,049 feet in height. Built in 2000, it is the tallest structure in California, the 4th tallest guyed mast in the world , and the 6th tallest structure to ever have existed if the destroyed... , Walnut Grove, California, United States |
2000 | 625 metres (2,050.5 ft) | – | |
| Structures (media supported) | |||||
| 1 | Petronius Platform, Gulf of Mexico | 2000 | 610 metres (2,001.3 ft) | – | |
| 2 | Baldpate Platform Baldpate (oil platform) Baldpate is a 1901.9 feet tall offshore compliant tower oil platform near the coast of Louisiana. Baldpate Platform was designed by Hudson Engineering in Houston, Texas, and installed by Heerema Marine Contractors.-External links:* *... , Gulf of Mexico |
1998 | 580 metres (1,902.9 ft) | – | |
| 3 | Bullwinkle Platform Bullwinkle (oil platform) Bullwinkle is a tall oil platform in Gulf of Mexico. From Bullwinkle Platform are below the waterline. It is located in Manatee Field, approximately southwest of New Orleans. Bullwinkle Platform belongs to Superior Energy Services, Inc., and Dynamic Offshore Resources. Its construction took... , Gulf of Mexico |
1989 | 529 metres (1,735.6 ft) | – | |
| Freestanding structures | |||||
| 1 | Burj Khalifa, Dubai, United Arab Emirates | 2010 | 829.84 metres (2,723 ft) | 160 | |
| 2 | Canton Tower, Guangzhou, China | 2010 | 600 metres (1,968.5 ft) | – | |
| 3 | CN Tower CN Tower The CN Tower is a communications and observation tower in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Standing tall, it was completed in 1976, becoming the world's tallest free-standing structure and world's tallest tower at the time. It held both records for 34 years until the completion of the Burj... , Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
1976 | 553 metres (1,814.3 ft) | – | |
| 4 | Ostankino Tower Ostankino Tower Ostankino Tower is a free-standing television and radio tower in Moscow, Russia. Standing tall, Ostankino was designed by Nikolai Nikitin. It is a member of the World Federation of Great Towers, currently the tallest in Europe and 4th tallest in the world. The tower was the first free-standing... , Moscow, Russia |
1967 | 540 metres (1,771.7 ft) | – | |
| 5 | Willis Tower, Chicago, United States | 1974 | 527 metres (1,729 ft) | 108 | |
| 6 | Taipei 101 Taipei 101 Taipei 101 , formerly known as the Taipei World Financial Center, is a landmark skyscraper located in Xinyi District, Taipei, Taiwan. The building ranked officially as the world's tallest from 2004 until the opening of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai in 2010... , Taipei, Taiwan |
2004 | 509 metres (1,669.9 ft) | 101 | |
| 7 | Shanghai World Financial Center Shanghai World Financial Center The most distinctive feature in the design of the building is an aperture at the peak. The original design specified a circular aperture, in diameter, to reduce the stresses of wind pressure, as well as serve as a subtext for the design, since "Chinese mythology represents the earth with a square... , Shanghai, China |
2008 | 492 metres (1,614.2 ft) | 101 | |
| 8 | International Commerce Centre International Commerce Centre The International Commerce Centre is a 108 floor, skyscraper completed in 2010 in West Kowloon, Hong Kong. It is a part of the Union Square project built on top of Kowloon Station. The development is owned and jointly developed by MTR Corporation Limited and Sun Hung Kai Properties, Hong... , Hong Kong |
2010 | 484 metres (1,587.9 ft) | 118 | |
| 9 | Oriental Pearl Tower Oriental Pearl Tower The Oriental Pearl Tower is a TV tower in Shanghai, China. The Oriental Pearl Tower is located at the tip of Lujiazui in the Pudong district, by the side of Huangpu River, opposite of The Bund.... , Shanghai, China |
1994 | 468 metres (1,535.4 ft) | – | |
| 10 | John Hancock Center John Hancock Center John Hancock Center at 875 North Michigan Avenue in the Streeterville area of Chicago, Illinois, is a 100-story, 1,127-foot tall skyscraper, constructed under the supervision of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, with chief designer Bruce Graham and structural engineer Fazlur Khan... , Chicago, United States |
1969 | 457 metres (1,499.3 ft) | 100 | |
| 11 | Petronas Tower I, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | 1998 | 452 metres (1,482.9 ft) | 88 | |
| Petronas Tower II, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | 1998 | 452 metres (1,482.9 ft) | 88 | ||
| 12 | Nanjing Greenland Financial Center, Nanjing, China | 2009 | 450 metres (1,476.4 ft) | 89 | |
| 13 | Empire State Building Empire State Building The Empire State Building is a 102-story landmark skyscraper and American cultural icon in New York City at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and West 34th Street. It has a roof height of 1,250 feet , and with its antenna spire included, it stands a total of 1,454 ft high. Its name is derived... , New York City, United States |
1931 | 443 metres (1,453.4 ft) | 102 | |
| 14 | Milad Tower, Tehran, Iran | 2007 | 435 metres (1,427.2 ft) | – | |
| 15 | Kuala Lumpur Tower Kuala Lumpur Tower The Kuala Lumpur Tower is a tall tower located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Its construction was finished in 1995. It is used for communication purposes and features an antenna that reaches 421 m , which currently makes it the second tallest freestanding tower in the world. The roof of the pod is at... , Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
1995 | 421 metres (1,381.2 ft) | – | |
| 16 | Jin Mao Building Jin Mao Building The Jin Mao Tower is an 88-story landmark supertall skyscraper in the Lujiazui area of the Pudong district of Shanghai, People's Republic of China. It contains offices and the Shanghai Grand Hyatt hotel. Until 2007 it was the tallest building in the PRC, the fifth tallest in the world by roof... , Shanghai, China |
1998 | 421 metres (1,381.2 ft) | 88 | |
| 17 | Chimney of GRES-2 Power Station, Ekibastuz, Kazakhstan | 1987 | 420 metres (1,378 ft) | – | |
| 18 | Two International Finance Centre International Finance Centre The International Finance Centre is an integrated commercial development on the waterfront of Hong Kong's Central District.... , Hong Kong |
2003 | 415 metres (1,361.5 ft) | 88 | |
| 19 | Tianjin Radio and Television Tower Tianjin Radio and Television Tower The Tianjin Radio and Television Tower is a 415.2 m tower in Tianjin, China used primarily for communication. It was built in 1991 at a cost of $45 million. Approximately two-thirds up the tower is an observation pod with floor space 253m... , Tianjin, China |
1991 | 415 metres (1,361.5 ft) | – | |
| 20 | Central TV Tower Central TV Tower The China Central Television Tower is the tallest structure in Beijing, China. It has an observation deck at , and the tip of its antenna reaches a height of . It provides panoramic views over the city from its restaurant and observation deck. It is a member of the World Federation of Great... , Beijing, China |
1992 | 405 metres (1,328.7 ft) | – | |
| Buildings | |||||
| 1 | Burj Khalifa, Dubai, United Arab Emirates | 2010 | 829.84 metres (2,723 ft) | 160 | |
| 2 | Taipei 101 Taipei 101 Taipei 101 , formerly known as the Taipei World Financial Center, is a landmark skyscraper located in Xinyi District, Taipei, Taiwan. The building ranked officially as the world's tallest from 2004 until the opening of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai in 2010... , Taipei, Taiwan |
2004 | 509 metres (1,669.9 ft) | 101 | |
| 3 | Shanghai World Financial Center Shanghai World Financial Center The most distinctive feature in the design of the building is an aperture at the peak. The original design specified a circular aperture, in diameter, to reduce the stresses of wind pressure, as well as serve as a subtext for the design, since "Chinese mythology represents the earth with a square... , Shanghai, China |
2008 | 492 metres (1,614.2 ft) | 101 | |
| 4 | International Commerce Centre International Commerce Centre The International Commerce Centre is a 108 floor, skyscraper completed in 2010 in West Kowloon, Hong Kong. It is a part of the Union Square project built on top of Kowloon Station. The development is owned and jointly developed by MTR Corporation Limited and Sun Hung Kai Properties, Hong... , Hong Kong |
2010 | 484 metres (1,587.9 ft) | 118 | |
| 5 | Petronas Towers, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | 1998 | 452 metres (1,482.9 ft) | 88 | |
| 6 | Nanjing Greenland Financial Center, Nanjing, China | 2009 | 450 metres (1,476.4 ft) | 89 | |
| 7 | Willis Tower, Chicago, United States | 1974 | 442 metres (1,450.1 ft) | 108 | |
| 8 | Jin Mao Building Jin Mao Building The Jin Mao Tower is an 88-story landmark supertall skyscraper in the Lujiazui area of the Pudong district of Shanghai, People's Republic of China. It contains offices and the Shanghai Grand Hyatt hotel. Until 2007 it was the tallest building in the PRC, the fifth tallest in the world by roof... , Shanghai, China |
1998 | 421 metres (1,381.2 ft) | 88 | |
| 9 | Two International Finance Centre International Finance Centre The International Finance Centre is an integrated commercial development on the waterfront of Hong Kong's Central District.... , Hong Kong |
2003 | 415 metres (1,361.5 ft) | 88 | |
| 10 | CITIC Plaza CITIC Plaza CITIC Plaza is a skyscraper built in Tianhe District, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China. Its structural height is 391 m 80 stories including two tall antenna-like spires on the top. Completed in 1997, it is the tallest concrete building in the world... , Guangzhou, China |
1997 | 391 metres (1,282.8 ft) | 80 | |
| 11 | Shun Hing Square Shun Hing Square Shun Hing Square , also named "Di Wang" in Shenzhen, is a 384m tall skyscraper in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, China.It is currently the second tallest in Shenzhen, 7th tallest building in mainland China, and the 15th tallest in the world. It was the tallest building in China from its completion... , Shenzhen, China |
1996 | 384 metres (1,259.8 ft) | 69 | |
| 12 | Empire State Building Empire State Building The Empire State Building is a 102-story landmark skyscraper and American cultural icon in New York City at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and West 34th Street. It has a roof height of 1,250 feet , and with its antenna spire included, it stands a total of 1,454 ft high. Its name is derived... , New York City, United States |
1931 | 381 metres (1,250 ft) | 102 | |
| 13 | Central Plaza, Hong Kong | 1992 | 374 metres (1,227 ft) | 78 | |
| 14 | Bank of China Tower, Hong Kong | 1990 | 367 metres (1,204.1 ft) | 70 | |
| 15 | Bank of America Tower, New York City, United States | 2008 | 366 metres (1,200.8 ft) | 54 | |
| 16 | Almas Tower Almas Tower Almas Tower is a supertall skyscraper in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Construction of the office building began in early 2005 and was completed in 2009 with the installation of some remaining cladding panels at the top of the tower. The building topped out at in 2008, becoming the third-tallest... , Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
2008 | 360 metres (1,181.1 ft) | 74 | |
| 17 | Emirates Office Tower Emirates Office Tower The Emirates Office Tower, also known as Emirates Tower One, is a 54-floor office building along Sheikh Zayed Road in the city of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Connected with the 56-floor Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel by a retail boulevard, the two towers form what is commonly referred to as the... , Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
2000 | 355 metres (1,164.7 ft) | 54 | |
| 18 | Tuntex Sky Tower Tuntex Sky Tower Tuntex Sky Tower, or the T & C Tower or 85 SKYTOWER , is an 85-floor skyscraper located in Lingya District, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. The structure is high. An antenna pushes the building height to... , Kaohsiung, Taiwan |
1997 | 348 metres (1,141.7 ft) | 85 | |
| 19 | Aon Center Aon Center (Chicago) The Aon Center is a modern skyscraper in the Chicago Loop, Chicago, Illinois, United States, designed by architect firms Edward Durell Stone and The Perkins and Will partnership, and completed in 1973 as the Standard Oil Building... , Chicago, United States |
1973 | 346 metres (1,135.2 ft) | 83 | |
| 20 | The Center The Center The Center is the fifth tallest skyscraper in Hong Kong, after International Commerce Centre, Two International Finance Centre , Central Plaza and Bank of China Tower. With a height of 346 m , it comprises 73 stories. The Center is one of the few skyscrapers in Hong Kong that is entirely... , Hong Kong |
1998 | 346 metres (1,135.2 ft) | 73 | |
| 21 | John Hancock Center John Hancock Center John Hancock Center at 875 North Michigan Avenue in the Streeterville area of Chicago, Illinois, is a 100-story, 1,127-foot tall skyscraper, constructed under the supervision of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, with chief designer Bruce Graham and structural engineer Fazlur Khan... , Chicago, United States |
1969 | 344 metres (1,128.6 ft) | 100 | |
| 22 | Rose Tower, Dubai, United Arab Emirates | 2007 | 333 metres (1,092.5 ft) | 72 | |
| Shimao International Plaza Shimao International Plaza Shimao International Plaza is a tall skyscraper of 60 stories in Shanghai's Huangpu District. It was completed in 2005 under the design of Ingenhoven, Overdiek und Partner, East China Architecture and Design Institute.... , Shanghai, China |
2006 | 333 metres (1,092.5 ft) | 60 | ||
| 24 | Minsheng Bank Building Minsheng Bank Building The Minsheng Bank Building is a supertall skyscraper located in Wuhan, China. The tall building was completed in 2007 and contains 68 floors. In April 2006, the building was topped out, becoming the 18th-tallest building in the world... , Wuhan, China |
2007 | 331 metres (1,086 ft) | 68 | |
| 25 | Ryugyong Hotel Ryugyong Hotel The Ryugyong Hotel is a 105-story skyscraper under construction in Pyongyang, North Korea. Its name is also one of the historic names for Pyongyang. The building is also known as the 105 Building, a reference to its number of floors... , Pyongyang, North Korea (topped out) |
1992 | 330 metres (1,082.7 ft) | 105 | |
| China World Trade Center Tower 3 China World Trade Center Tower 3 China World Trade Center Tower III is a supertall skyscraper with 81 floors, 4 underground floors, and 30 elevators in Beijing, China. It is the third phase of development of the China World Trade Center complex in Beijing's central business district of Chaoyang at the junction of the East Third... , Beijing, China |
2008 | 330 metres (1,082.7 ft) | 74 | ||
| 27 | Q1 Q1 (building) Q1 is a supertall skyscraper located in Surfers Paradise, on the Gold Coast. It is the world's third tallest residential tower after the 348 metre building The Marina Torch in Dubai won formal recognition as the tallest residential building in the world on 29 April 2011 by the Emporis... , Gold Coast, Australia |
2005 | 323 metres (1,059.7 ft) | 78 | |
| 28 | Burj Al Arab, Dubai, United Arab Emirates | 1999 | 321 metres (1,053.1 ft) | 60 | |
| 29 | Chrysler Building Chrysler Building The Chrysler Building is an Art Deco style skyscraper in New York City, located on the east side of Manhattan in the Turtle Bay area at the intersection of 42nd Street and Lexington Avenue. Standing at , it was the world's tallest building for 11 months before it was surpassed by the Empire State... , New York City, United States |
1930 | 319 metres (1,046.6 ft) | 77 | |
| Nina Tower I Nina Tower I Nina Towers are a twin tower of 80-storey and 42-storey high-rise buildings in Tsuen Wan, New Territories, Hong Kong. The original design of this towers was just called Nina Tower and was supposed to be the tallest tower in the world at 518 m or 1,699 ft... , Hong Kong |
2007 | 319 metres (1,046.6 ft) | 80 | ||
| New York Times Building New York Times Building The New York Times Building is a skyscraper on the west side of Midtown Manhattan that was completed in 2007. Its chief tenant is The New York Times Company, publisher of The New York Times as well as The Boston Globe, the International Herald Tribune, and other newspapers... , New York City, United States |
2007 | 319 metres (1,046.6 ft) | 52 | ||
| 32 | Bank of America Plaza Bank of America Plaza (Atlanta) Bank of America Plaza is a skyscraper located in the SoNo district of Atlanta, Georgia. At the tower is the 53rd-tallest building in the world. When it first opened, it was the 9th tallest building in the world, and 6th tallest building in the United States... , Atlanta, United States |
1992 | 312 metres (1,023.6 ft) | 55 | |
| 33 | U.S. Bank Tower, Los Angeles, United States | 1989 | 310 metres (1,017.1 ft) | 73 | |
| 34 | Menara Telekom Menara Telekom Menara Telekom is the headquarters of Telekom Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur.It is 310 m tall, has 55 floors, and is shaped to represent a sprouting "bamboo shoot". It is located along the Federal Highway, Sprint Expressway and Jalan Pantai Baru and is served by the Rapid KL Kerinchi LRT station... , Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
2001 | 310 metres (1,017.1 ft) | 55 | |
| 35 | Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel Jumeirah Emirates Hotel Tower, also known as 'Emirates Tower Two' is a 56-floor hotel in the city of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The hotel includes 40 luxury suites and is operated by the Jumeirah International Group. Connected with 54-floor Emirates Office Tower by a retail boulevard, the two... , Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
2000 | 309 metres (1,013.8 ft) | 56 | |
| 36 | One Island East One Island East One Island East , is a supertall skyscraper that is located in TaiKoo Place on Island East, Hong Kong. The skyscraper is a commercial office building that rises 298.35 m and has 69 stories of habitable office space and two basement levels, thus contains 71 stories in total. There is a sky lobby... , Hong Kong |
2008 | 308 metres (1,010.5 ft) | 70 | |
| 37 | AT&T Corporate Center AT&T Corporate Center The Franklin Center is a 60-story skyscraper completed in 1989 as the AT&T Corporate Center to consolidate the central region headquarters of the American Telephone & Telegraph Company . It stands at a height of and contains in the Loop neighborhood of downtown Chicago... , Chicago, United States |
1989 | 307 metres (1,007.2 ft) | 60 | |
| 38 | The Address Downtown Burj Khalifa, Dubai, United Arab Emirates | 2008 | 306 metres (1,003.9 ft) | 63 | |
| 39 | JPMorgan Chase Tower JPMorgan Chase Tower (Houston) JPMorgan Chase Tower, formerly Texas Commerce Tower, is a , 75-story skyscraper in Houston, Texas. It is currently the tallest building in the city, the tallest building in Texas, the tallest five-sided building in the world, 12th tallest building in the United States, and the 54th tallest building... , Houston, United States |
1982 | 305 metres (1,000.7 ft) | 75 | |
Source: Emporis
Under construction and on-hold
Numerous supertall skyscrapers are in various stages of proposal, planning, or construction. Each of the following are under construction and, depending on the order of completion, could become the world's tallest building or structure in at least one category:- India TowerIndia TowerIndia Tower is a 126-storey, tall skyscraper that was under construction in the city of Mumbai, India. Construction was halted in 2011....
is on-hold in MumbaiMumbaiMumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
's Marine LinesMarine LinesMarine Lines is an area in South Mumbai. It is also the name of a railway station on the Mumbai suburban railway on the Western Railway railway line. The name Marine Lines is named after the Marine Battalion Lines, a military establishment built by the British. The battalion was later converted to...
, is expected to be 700 m (2,296.6 ft) tall. Will be used for hotel and residential. Construction was started in 2010. and expected to complete by 2016. - The Pingan International Finance CentrePingan International Finance CentreThe Pingan International Finance Center is a 115-storey supertall skyscraper that is under construction in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, China. The tower was commissioned by Ping An Insurance, and designed by the American architectural firm Kohn Pedersen Fox...
, under construction in Shenzhen, is expected to be 648 m (2,126 ft). Completion is expected in 2015. - The Tokyo Sky Tree under construction in Tokyo's Sumida district, is expected to be 634 m (2,080.1 ft) tall. It will be a broadcasting tower to replace the old Tokyo TowerTokyo Toweris a communications and observation tower located in Shiba Park, Minato, Tokyo, Japan. At , it is the second tallest artificial structure in Japan. The structure is an Eiffel Tower-inspired lattice tower that is painted white and international orange to comply with air safety regulations.Built in...
. Construction began in 2008 and completion is expected in 2011, with public access in the spring of 2012. - The Shanghai Tower, under construction in Shanghai, next to the Shanghai World Financial CenterShanghai World Financial CenterThe most distinctive feature in the design of the building is an aperture at the peak. The original design specified a circular aperture, in diameter, to reduce the stresses of wind pressure, as well as serve as a subtext for the design, since "Chinese mythology represents the earth with a square...
and the Jin Mao BuildingJin Mao BuildingThe Jin Mao Tower is an 88-story landmark supertall skyscraper in the Lujiazui area of the Pudong district of Shanghai, People's Republic of China. It contains offices and the Shanghai Grand Hyatt hotel. Until 2007 it was the tallest building in the PRC, the fifth tallest in the world by roof...
, is expected to be 632 m (2,073.5 ft). Completion is expected in 2014. - The PentominiumPentominiumThe Pentominium is a supertall skyscraper currently under construction in the city of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. When completed, the residential tower will be tall, with 122 floors above ground. It was designed by architects Aedas and funded by Trident International Holdings. The AED 1.46...
, under construction in Dubai, is expected to be 516 m (1,692.9 ft) tall and have 120 floors. If completed, it would be the tallest all-residential building in the world. Construction began in 2007 and completion is expected in 2013. - The Abraj Al Bait TowersAbraj Al Bait TowersThe Abraj Al-Bait Towers, also known as the Mecca Royal Hotel Clock Tower, is a building complex in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The complex holds several world records, including the tallest hotel in the world, the tallest clock tower in the world, the world's largest clock face, and the world's largest...
are under construction in MeccaMeccaMecca is a city in the Hijaz and the capital of Makkah province in Saudi Arabia. The city is located inland from Jeddah in a narrow valley at a height of above sea level...
, Saudi Arabia. The tallest tower is expected to be 601 m (1,971.8 ft) tall when completed in 2011, becoming second-tallest building in the world when completed. It will also be the largest building in the world with a floor area of 1500000 m² (1,793,985.1 sq yd) and the tallest hotel in the world. - The Jakarta TowerJakarta TowerThe Jakarta Tower is a partly built tower in Jakarta, Indonesia. If completed, it will stand 558 m tall up to the antenna and would be the tallest freestanding tower in the Southern Hemisphere. Located in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta,work was initially started in 1997, but was halted by the Asian...
(Menara Jakarta) is on-hold in JakartaJakartaJakarta is the capital and largest city of Indonesia. Officially known as the Special Capital Territory of Jakarta, it is located on the northwest coast of Java, has an area of , and a population of 9,580,000. Jakarta is the country's economic, cultural and political centre...
, Indonesia. It is expected to be 558 m (1,830.7 ft) tall up to the antenna, thus may be tallest concrete tower. It was expected to be completed in 2012, but has been put on hold. - One World Trade Center, currently under-construction in New York City, will be the tallest building in the United States and the Western Hemisphere. Also, it will become the world's tallest all-office building. Its spire will top out at 1776 ft (541.3 m).
Proposed
Many proposed structures have not yet been built, and many probably never will be built. See proposed tall buildings and structuresProposed tall buildings and structures
Some tall structures and skyscrapers have been proposed that have not yet been built, and may never be. Some structures have been proposed, but construction was never begun, or if begun never completed, and the plans have subsequently been abandoned....
for structures that have been or are being proposed.
See also
- List of tallest buildings in the world
- List of tallest structures in the world
- List of tallest freestanding structures in the world
- List of tallest structures in the world by country
- List of tallest towers in the world
- List of architects of supertall buildings
- List of cities with most skyscrapers
External links
- Collection of many record holders on Skyscraperpage
- Tallest Building in the World information