Burj Khalifa, Dubai (United Arab Emirates)
Standing at 828 meters tall with 163 floors, it holds the number one spot on the list of the 10 tallest buildings in the world. It boasts two observation decks offering breathtaking views, one on the 124th floor and the other on the 148th. Construction began in 2004 and was completed in 2010, a year behind schedule. It is visible from 95 kilometers away.
Shanghai Tower, Shanghai (China)
Another of the world's tallest buildings is the Shanghai, at 632 meters. Located in the Pudong financial district, it boasts the unique feature of having up to 270 wind turbines on its facade. It also has 106 elevators that operate at a speed of 18 meters per second.
Abraj Al Bait, Mecca (Saudi Arabia)
The Abraj Al Bait Tower ranks among the five tallest buildings in the world, standing at 601 meters. This megastructure is part of a complex of seven skyscraper hotels in Mecca, designed to modernize the city and give a new image to Islam's holiest site, the Grand Mosque. Furthermore, the Abraj Al-Bait Clock Tower houses the Clock Tower Museum on its top four floors.
Ping An Finance Center, Shenzhen (China)
This imposing skyscraper, located in Shenzhen, in China's Guangdong province, ranks fourth among the world's 10 tallest buildings, standing at 599 meters. The Ping An Finance Center is unique in that it features four columns at each corner that taper as they rise, culminating in the observation deck at its summit. To reach the top, simply take one of its 80 elevators, which travel at a speed of 36 kilometers per hour.
Goldin Finance 117, Tianjin (China)
The Goldin Finance 117 in Tianjin, China, stands 597 meters tall and is notable for the contrast it creates in the landscape, as it is not accompanied by any other skyscrapers in the area. Due to the Covid-19, its opening was postponed and it is still under construction. Despite not being finished, it has made our list of the 10 tallest buildings in the world and is the third tallest skyscraper in China.
Lotte World Tower, Seoul (South Korea)
At 556 meters, the Lotte World Tower crowns the Seoul and boasts the title of the sixth tallest building in the world. One of the tower's main attractions is Seoul Sky, the world's highest glass-floored observation deck. It holds the Guinness World Record! This observatory is located at a height of 478 meters and offers some of the most spectacular views of the South Korean capital.
One World Trade Center, New York (USA)
Standing at 546 meters tall with 110 floors, it was built in eight years, making it the tallest skyscraper in the Western Hemisphere and the seventh tallest building in the world. But what is undeniably significant is that its construction was overshadowed by the tragedy of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. From its One World Observatory, one can enjoy breathtaking views of the New York City.
CTF Finance Center, Guangzhou (China)
It stands 530 meters tall. This building is the second in a complex of two skyscrapers overlooking the Pearl River in Guangzhou and houses hotels, offices, and apartments. Its design is one of its main attractions, as it is designed to emphasize its verticality and appears to reach for the sky.
Tianjin CTF Finance Center, Tianjin (China)
Competing with the Goldin Finance Building, the Tianjin CTF Finance Center, at 530 meters, is the city's second tallest skyscraper. Used as Tianjin's commercial and financial center, the building boasts a distinctive beauty thanks to its undulating curves, ventilation grilles, and rounded top.
CITIC Tower, Beijing (China)
Standing at 528 meters tall, and nicknamed China Zun, its design is inspired by the zun, ancient Chinese wine vessels.
What will be the next tallest buildings in the world?
One of the architects' biggest goals is to surpass the dimensions of the current giants. To that end, there are two major projects that could change this ranking and take the top spot, becoming the tallest building in the world.
On one hand, Russia presented an ambitious project to build the Lakhta Center II in St. Petersburg. Forecasts indicate that, despite its enormous dimensions (703 meters and 150 floors), it will remain the second tallest building in the world, not surpassing the Burj Khalifa.
However, this leadership could be challenged, as construction has begun in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on the Jeddah Tower, also known as the Kingdom Tower, which aims to be the first building to reach 1,000 meters in height. It remains to be seen whether this ambitious project will be completed, as construction is currently halted.
