CITY

The 10 tallest skyscrapers in the world

Skyscrapers in cities are getting taller and taller, totally changing the skyline and the conformation of the urban centres where they rise. 

The "Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat" punctually updates the ranking of the tallest skyscrapers ever, taking into account structural architectural elements, i.e. any element that is part of the construction, including any spires, statues or antennas. 

Here are what are (and where can be admired) the 10 tallest skyscrapers in the world.

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Where the world's tallest skyscrapers are located
Skyscrapers in cities are getting taller and taller, totally changing the skyline and the conformation of the urban centres where they rise. The "Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat" punctually updates the ranking of the tallest skyscrapers ever, taking into account structural architectural elements, i.e. any element that is part of the construction, including any spires, statues or antennas. Here are what are (and where can be admired) the 10 tallest skyscrapers in the world.
Bairuilong, Wikimedia Commons
10. China Zun, Beijing (528 meters)
Designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox, the China Zun comprises 108 storeys and is the tallest building in the Chinese capital.
PQ77wd, Wikimedia Commons
9. Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre, Guangzhou (530 meters)
Also known as the East Tower, this skyscraper is located in the financial area of the city. The building is extremely modern: inside there are 95 lifts, two of which are among the fastest in the world, with a speed of about 70 kilometres per hour, and are able to transport passengers from floor -5 (the lowest) to floor 94 (the highest inhabited) in about 45 seconds.
BD2412, Wikimedia Commons
8. Tianjin CTF Finance Centre, Tianjin (530.40 meters).
Designed by Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, the Tianjin Tower was completed in 2019 and is located in the outer district of the Tianjin City Economic and Technological Development Area.
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7. One World Trade Center, New York (541.33 meters).
Also known as the Freedom Tower, this structure is the main building of the New World Trade Center in New York. The skyscraper stands a short distance from the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, which houses images, memorabilia and historical artefacts relating to the attacks of 11 September 2001.
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6. Lotte World Tower, Seoul (555.70 meters)
Opened to the public in 2017, the Lotte World Tower is the tallest skyscraper in South Korea. The structure is a multifunctional centre and houses various businesses from a variety of sectors, from offices to luxury hotels. The building's design is inspired by the elegant shapes of Korean ceramics and calligraphic brushes.
Charlie fong, Wikimedia Commons
5. Ping An Finance Centre, Shenzen (599.10 meters)
The original plan for this skyscraper included the construction of a spire, which would have increased the overall height of the building to 660 metres: however, due to restrictions related to the nearby Shenzhen airport, the spire was not realised. The complex also includes a bridge, planned to connect with future buildings in the south of the area.
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4. Abraj Al Bait, Mecca (601 meters).
Located in Saudi Arabia, the Mecca Royal Hotel Clock Tower holds several records: the complex holds the record as the tallest hotel in the world, but also as the building with the tallest clock tower in the world and the largest facade clock in existence. The complex is only a few metres away from the Masjid al-Haram, the largest mosque in the world.
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3. Shanghai Tower, Shanghai (703 meters)
The Shanghai Tower shares the record, along with the Ping An Finance Centre, of the world's highest observation deck inside a building or structure, at 606 metres high. In addition, its lifts are the fastest in the world with a top speed of 20.5 metres per second (74 kilometres per hour).
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2. Merdeka 118, Kuala Lumpur (678.90 meters).
Within Merdeka 118 there are 100 floors rentable by private companies: 83 are used for offices of various companies, 12 are hotel rooms and the remaining five floors are occupied by a shopping centre. 60 of the 83 office floors are used by Permodalan Nasional Berhad, the company that developed the project.
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1. Burj Khalifa, Dubai (829.80 meters)
The tallest skyscraper in the world is the Burj Khalifa, which, together with the Burj al-Arab tower, is the most important tourist destination in Dubai and one of its symbols. The building is characterised by its 'Y' plan, inspired by the shape of the flower of 'hymenocallis', a genus of plants that is widespread in Dubai, where it is particularly popular.
Omarnizar05
Jeddah Tower coming soon
Soon the Burj Khalifa may not be the world's tallest skyscraper. In fact, the Jedda Tower is being planned (work is currently stalled): this building, when completed, should be 1007 metres high, more than a kilometre high!
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