We think it’s time we call skyscrapers synonyms of marvelous. What say?

So before we make you gawk at the worlds’ best skyscrapers, let’s begin from the basics. Right?

What Is a Skyscraper?

It’s a habitable building with a minimum of 100 or 150 meters. Though there isn’t a universally accepted definition, to be called a skyscraper in the modern-day a building has to be continuously habitable and be a minimum of 100metres in height.

Now let’s do a little time travel.

It began in the 19th century. During those times, even if a building had 10 floors, it would be called a skyscraper. The worlds’ first skyscraper was a building in Chicago called Home Insurance Building. Built-in 1884-18854, the 42 m high building would tower over the city’s residents, and we all can agree that it must have been a sight then but today, it will literally be overshadowed the next generation giant constructions. This building gave rise to the famous school of architecture called the Chicago School. Major of its former works are now referred to as the commercial Style.

Once Chicago began the trend of building skyscrapers, an untold competition began among countries to build the next highest skyscrapers which continue to date. Initially, there was quite a competition between Chicago and New York, but New York won the pride of having the tallest building for quite some years when it built the American Surety Building. Also known as the 100 Broadway or the Bank of Tokyo Building, it was completed in 1896. The 118m building with 26 stories remained the tallest building in the world for quite some time

The construction of skyscrapers was stagnated for the length of 15 years due to the Great Depression and then World War II in the 1930s.

The Soviet Union then began the construction of what we have popularly known as the Seven Sisters of Moscow, in 1947. That is how the silent competition of building the tallest skyscrapers began again among countries.

Let’s unfold the list of the 10 tallest buildings in the world now.

Burj Khalifa, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (2,717 feet; 585.4 meters)

Known as Burj Dubai before its inauguration, Burj Khalifa has 154 floors available to visitors and 9 maintenance floors. It has 57 elevators and 8 escalators, The structure i9s designed in a manner such that it’s able to withstand the summer of Dubai. Sheikh Khalifa, the ruler of the United Arab Emirates granted monetary aid when the Emaar developers were experiencing a financial crisis to construct the building further.

Shanghai Tower, Shanghai, China (2,073 feet; 632 meters)

This second largest building in the world has 128 floors above the ground and has the worlds’ fastest elevators that travel 20.5 meters per second. It is also proud of having the largest observation deck in the world.

Abraj Al-Bait Clock Tower, Mecca, Saudi Arabia (1,971 feet; 601 meters)

It is the second-largest building in the world with 120 floors and is just a few meters away from the Great Mosque of Mecca. It accommodates pilgrims who travel to Mecca to annually participate in the Hajj.

Ping An Finance Centre, Shenzhen, China (1,969 feet; 599 meters)

Commissioned Ping An Insurance, this 115- story building was completed in 2017 the American architectural firm Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates. It is the tallest building in Shenzhen and the 2nd largest building in China.

Lotte World Tower, Seoul, South Korea (1,823 feet; 497.6 meters )

The 123-story skyscraper building is currently the tallest in South Korea and the fifth tallest in the world. It’s the first 100 story building in Korea and its exterior pale glass draws inspiration from Korean ceramics.

One World Trade Center, New York City, USA (1,776 feet; 413 meters)

The rebuilt World Trade Centre is 94 floors above the ground and 5 floors below the ground are the tallest building in the USA and the Western Hemisphere, and the sixth-tallest in the world. The construction began in 2006 and the building was opened in the year 2014.

CTF Finance Centre, Guangzhou, China (1,740 feet; 496 meters)

The Guangzhou Chow Tai Fook Finance Centre is the third tallest building in China and the seventh-tallest in the world. It is a mixed-use skyscraper with a total of 111 towers above the ground and five below-ground floors. It has shopping malls, apartments, offices, and a hotel within its area.

Taipei 101, Taipei, Taiwan (1,670 feet; 509.2 meters )

It was the tallest building in the world until the completion of Burj Khalifa in 2009, and it is now the tallest and the largest green building in the world. It has 101 floors above the ground and 5 basement floors. The New Year celebrations of this building is an experience everyone could wish for.

Shanghai World Financial Center, Shanghai, China (1,614 feet; 494 meters)

It’s the tallest building in China as of 2017 and hosts the office building for much international banking, finance, securities, insurance, and fund management companies such as Morgan Stanley, Ernst, and Young, Bank of Yokohama, etc.

International Commerce Centre, Hong Kong (1,588 feet; 484 meters)

Located on the top of the Kowloon Station, International Commerce Centre is the centerpiece of the Union Square reclamation project which includes 2 hotels, office spaces, and an observation deck on the 100th floor called the Sky100. It has 108 floors above the ground and 4 floors below the ground. The 101st floor is leased to 5-star restaurants.

3 Reasons Why You Should Visit These Tallest Skyscrapers of the World.

• They Bend Architectural Rules – As mentioned earlier there’s a constant architectural race among countries to take the credits for possessing the tallest building in the world and the race doesn’t seem to stop. Many hindrances can come in the way of building the tallest skyscraper including land availability, money, and elevator issues. Expert architects say that taller buildings are taller because the land area requirement also doubles or triples as per requirement.
• The Choice of Location – The tallest skyscrapers are built-in in the most interesting cities and the view they give is nothing short of mesmerizing. For example, if you visit the World Trade Centre, you will be able to see everything the New City has to offer.
• The Art, The History, The Technology – You will be in awe with all of it, the planning, the technology involved in the creation, the art in the beautification. It’s as if the respective city celebrates those buildings every day.