Skyscrapers that touch the sky are a symbol of urban style and might. Drastic improvements in engineering capabilities over the years, combined with technological advancements, are causing countries to construct ever-higher structures, pushing the boundaries.
As a child, I was fascinated by these structures, and I'm sure you were as well, because they are one of humanity's greatest inventions.
Despite the fact that the concept of skyscrapers originated in the United States more than a century ago, the global skyscraper construction boom has been slowly shifting towards the Middle East and China in the last couple of decades, and China is leaving no stone unturned in making its presence felt. China is home to five of the world's ten tallest structures.
We are here to share with you the top ten tallest buildings in the world that are truly works of art. Continue reading!
List of the Top 10 Tallest Buildings in the World
The top ten tallest buildings in the world as of 2022 are listed below.
1. Burj Khalifa
Height: 828 Metres
For more than a decade, the Burj Khalifa has been the world's tallest building as well as the tallest building in Dubai. The Burj Khalifa stands 828 meters tall and has 163 floors that can accommodate 30,000 people.
The Chicago-based architecture firm Skidmore, O wings & Merrill of Chicago built this massive project. The construction of this building took nearly 6 years.
Adrian Smith was the project's chief architect. The Burj Khalifa has received numerous awards and accolades from around the world. It has numerous hotels, shopping malls, parks, and an artificial lake.
2. Merdeka 118
Height: 678.9 Metres
Merdeka 118 is ranked second among the world's tallest structures. As the pointed spire of the skyscraper was completed, it reached its full heights. Merdeka 118 thus dethroned China's Shanghai Tower to become the world's second-tallest structure.
Fender Katsalidis, an Australian firm, designed the 118-story megatall skyscraper. The building is currently under construction in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and is expected to be completed by the end of 2022.
The 118-story building will house office space, a hotel, retail, and residential facilities, as well as a double-height observation deck and the highest restaurant in South-East Asia.
3. Shanghai Tower
Height: 632 Metres
The Shanghai Tower is the world's third tallest structure. It was inaugurated in 2014 after taking more than 8 years to complete. This bizarre structure cost a whopping 4.2 billion dollars to build.
The Shanghai Tower houses a 258-room hotel as well as the world's highest observatory deck, from which one can see the entire Shanghai skyline.
4. Abraj Al-Bait
Height: 601 Metres
Abraj Al-Bait, located in Mecca, is a complex of seven skyscrapers owned by the Saudi government. As part of the King Abdulaziz Endowment Project, these towers were built to promote tourism and serve pilgrims visiting the city.
It took seven years to complete and is expected to cost $15 billion. The Abraj Al-Bait Tower is the fourth tallest building in the world and one of the tallest in Saudi Arabia. The structure is very close to the grand mosque in Mecca, the holy city.
5. Ping An Finance Tower
Height: 599 Metres
Ping An Finance Tower is the world's fifth tallest building and China's second tallest. It stands 599 meters tall in the city of Shenzhen. It is designed specifically for Ping An Insurance. Despite the fact that the building was inaugurated in 2015, construction was delayed for a few years until 2017.
Ping An Finance Tower has 115 floors and numerous facilities such as conference centers, retail stores, and hotel rooms. The observation deck is located on the 116th floor.
6. Lotte World Tower
Height: 555 Metres
The Lotte World Tower, South Korea's tallest structure, took 13 years to build. It was inaugurated four years ago, in 2017, along the banks of the Han River.
This 123-story building has several observation decks. The structure has been designed to withstand earthquakes measuring 9 on the Richter scale.
7. One World Trade Center
Height: 541 Metres
One World Trade Center is the world's seventh tallest building and the tallest building in the United States, located in New York City. The skyscraper bears the same name as the original World Trade Center's north tower, which was destroyed in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
This structure was designed by David Childs, who is also known for designing famous skyscrapers such as the Burj Khalifa and the Willis Tower.
The construction of this skyscraper was completed three years after the 2014 attacks. Because of its use of rainwater harvesting and renewable energy, One World Trade Center has a positive impact on the world.
8. Guangzhou Chow Tai Fook Finance Centre
Height: 530 Metres
Guangzhou Chow Tai Fook Finance Centre, also known as Guangzhou CTF Tower, is a building in the Guangzhou suburbs of China. This structure has 111 floors and 5 underground levels. It was dedicated in 2016. The CTF tower has 95 elevators that travel at a speed of 44 miles per hour.
The project is owned and named after Chow Tai Fook Enterprises. The Guangzhou CTF building contains hotels, residential houses, and hotels.
9. Tianjin Chow Tai Fook Finance Centre
Height: 530 Metres
10. China Zun
Height: 527.7 Metres
China Zun, also known as CITIC Plaza, takes its name from an ancient ship. This 108-story building was built in two phases, the first in 2017 and the second in 2018. China Zun, Beijing's tallest building, was inaugurated in March 2019.
We hope you enjoyed our article on the world's top ten tallest buildings. If you've visited any of these incredible skyscrapers, please share your thoughts!
