In recent times, there seems to have been a surge in the number of skyscrapers in the mega cities of the world. This is hardly surprising as having the tallest building in your country leads to a great deal of tourism and worldwide recognition. One more interesting trend to note is that Asia seems to be taking the lead when it comes to the world’s tallest buildings. In the past, North America used to be home to about 75 percent of the tallest buildings. This has since changed, thanks to innovation. We can now anticipate the rise and rise of more buildings.
For the time being, however, these are the world’s top 10 tallest buildings.
10.CITIC Tower (China Zun) – 528 metres / 1732 feet
Situated in the central business district of Beijing, China Zun became the world’s eight tallest building in 2018. This mammoth building towers over the ground at a whopping height of 1,732 feet. Though it is structurally complete, it hasn’t yet opened its doors to the general public. However, the building is expected to house an office space, a hotel, and luxury apartments. China Zun was built by a group of developers called the CITIC Group, hence its alternative name CITIC Tower.
9. Tianjin CTF Finance Centres (Tie) – 530 metres / 1,739 feet
The CTF Finance Centre in Tianjin is the ninth-tallest building in the world and is in a tie with the CTF Finance Centre in Guangzhou. Both towers stand for Chow Tai Fook. The construction for the 1,739-feet-tall tower began in 2013 and was officially completed in 2019. The tower also holds the record for being the tallest building with less than 100 floors. As a mixed-use building, the Tianjin CTF Finance Centre is home to a total of 97 floors as well as four below ground.
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8. Guangzhou CTF Finance Center (Tie) – 530 meters / 1739 feet
The CTF Finance Centre in Guangzhou hosts a total of 111 floors above ground and five below ground. It holds three records for being the tallest building Guangzhou, the third-tallest in China, and the eighth-tallest in the world. At a height of 1739 feet, the tower is home to a shopping mall, offices and a hotel. It also host one of the world’s fastest elevators which travel at speeds of up to 20 m/s (45 mph).
7. One World Trade Center – 541 feet / 1776 feet
Built as a replacement for the World Trade Centre complex which got destroyed on September 11, 2001, One World Trade Centre is the tallest building in New York City, the United States, and the entire Central Hemisphere. It houses 104 floors standing at a height of 1776 feet. Prior to its opening in 2014, the building’s construction began in 2006 and by 2012, it had grown to surpass the height of the Empire State Building. The building not only serves as the new World Trade Centre but also commemorates the tragic 9/11 attacks.
6. Lotte World Tower – 554 meters / 1818 feet
Of all the buildings on this list, the Lotte World Tower took the longest time to get erected. A total of thirteen years went into the planning of the Lotte World Tower before construction eventually began in 2011 and ended in 2016. The building, which is located in Seoul, South Korea, stands above the ground at a height of 1818 feet. It is currently the tallest building in South Korea and the tallest in the world.
5. Goldin Finance 117 – 596 meters / 1955 feet
Though not yet completed, Gold in Finance 117 has already grown to become the second tallest building in China, second to Shanghai World Financial Centre. It has already been topped-out and is scheduled to be completed by 2020.
4. Ping An International Finance Centre – 599 meters / 1965 feet
Located in Shenzhen China, China, the Ping An International Finance Centre is the fourth tallest building in the world. It is home to a conference centre, retail spaces, and a hotel.The construction of the building began in 2009 and became completed in 2017. At a height of 1965 feet, it has a total of 33 double decker elevators and 115 floors.
3. Makkah Royal Clock Tower – 601 meters / 1972 feet
Also known as Abraj Al-Bait of Mecca, the Makkah Royal Clock Tower is a government-owned complex housing a total of 120 floors. It is the world’s most expensive building and stands at a height of 1972 feet. The amenities in the Makkah Royal Tower include a conference centre, a five-star hotel, and a 10,000-capacity prayer room.The building is also home to the largest clock face in the world.
2. Shanghai Tower – 682 meters / 2071 feet
This beautiful work of architecture is the second tallest building in the world and the tallest in China. At a staggering height of 2071 feet, the Shanghai Tower has 121 floors and is home to some of the fastest elevators in the world. Its construction took eight years starting in 2006 and officially ended in 2015. The tower boasts contains all sorts of amenities from swimming pools and offices to malls and concert halls.
1. Burj Khalifa – 828 meters / 2717 feet
The Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world. It stands at a height of 2717 feet and has been the tallest building since it was topped out in 2008. Its construction started in 2004 and it was completed in 2010. The building was built as an initiative of the United Arab Emirates to diversify the the country’s oil-based economy to one that encourages tourism and service provision.
Someday, we may witness the emergence of a building that towers over Mount Everest! Who knows what the future holds for mankind?
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