Have you ever wondered what it feels like to stand on top of the world?
Well, you might not be able to reach the summit of Mount Everest, but you can still experience
the thrill of being hundreds of feet above the city streets at the tip-top of some of
the tallest buildings on the planet.
These architectural marvels are not only impressive for their height, but also for their design,
engineering, and functionality.
They are symbols of human achievement and ambition, and they offer stunning views of
the cities they dominate.
In this video, we will take you on a tour of the top 15 tallest buildings in the world
as of 2023.
We will also touch on a few brand new eye-watering tall skyscrapers that are either nearing completion
or in various stages of development.
We will rank these bad boys according to their highest architectural feature, which includes
spires and antennas but excludes flagpoles and masts.
We will also tell you some interesting facts about each building, such as when it was completed,
who designed it and what it is used for.
Whether you are a fan of skyscrapers or just curious about how high humans can build, you
will enjoy this video featuring amazing structures that defy gravity.
So buckle up and get ready for a vertical adventure!
Here are the top 15 tallest buildings in the world that are certain to make your jaw drop.
We'll first cover the ten tallest already completed buildings before addressing the
five behemoths that are currently in the works.
Viewcation Presents: The World's Tallest Buildings
Completed Buildings
10.
Taipei 101 – 1,667 Feet
Taipei 101 is an impressive supertall skyscraper in Taipei, Taiwan.
It was designed by C.Y. Lee & Partners, a local architectural firm, and completed in
2004.
It has 101 stories and reaches a height of 508 meters or 1,667 feet, including its spire.
It was the tallest building in the world from 2004 to 2010, although it has since been surpassed
by the Burj Khalifa in Dubai among many other massively tall structures.
Taipei 101 is used for offices, retail shops, and restaurants and features a tourist-friendly
observatory.
It has a distinctive design that resembles bamboo stalks and incorporates elements of
traditional Chinese culture.
9.
China Zun – 1,732 Feet
China Zun is another supertall skyscraper that can be found in Beijing, China.
It was completed in 2018 and is the tallest building in the city, with 109 stories and
a height of 528 meters or 1,732 feet.
It was developed by CITIC Group, a CCP state-owned conglomerate.
The name China Zun comes from the zun, a type of ancient Chinese wine vessel that directly
inspired the shape of the building.
The tower is used for offices, and hotels, and features an observation deck.
8.
Tianjin CTF Finance Centre – 1,739 Feet
Tianjin CTF Finance Centre is a gigantic skyscraper in Tianjin, China.
It was completed in 2019 and is currently the second tallest building in Tianjin, with
97 stories and a height of 530 meters or 1,739 feet.
It was developed by the esteemed firm New World Development and designed by Skidmore,
Owings & Merrill LLP, and Ronald Lu & Partners.
The tower houses various office spaces serviced apartments, and a hotel.
It has a sleek, modern design with undulating curves that reflect its diverse functions.
7.
Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre – 1,739 Feet
This supertall skyscraper located in Guangzhou, China, was completed in 2016 and is the tallest
building in the city, with 111 stories and a height of 530 meters or 1,739 feet.
This marvel of modern engineering was developed by New World Development and Chow Tai Fook
Enterprises and designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox.
The tower is a mixed-use complex that includes a shopping mall, offices, apartments, cafes,
and a hotel.
It has a sleek design with setbacks that create terraces for greenery and outdoor amenities.
6.
One World Trade Center – 1,776 Feet
One World Trade Center is a stunning skyscraper in New York City that stands tall and proud
as a symbol of resilience and hope.
It is the main attraction of the rebuilt World Trade Center complex that honors the victims
of the 9/11 attacks.
It has 104 stories and a height of 541 meters or 1,776 feet, making it the tallest building
in the US as well as in the Western Hemisphere.
It was designed by David Childs of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP, who drew inspiration
from classic BIg Apple landmarks like the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building.
The tower has a sleek design with an iconic spire that beams brightly at night.
It hosts offices and restaurants and has an observatory as well as a museum.
And yes, that height definitely was meant as a reference to the year that the US officially
got its start with the signing of the declaration of independence.
5.
Lotte World Tower – 1,819 Feet
Lotte World Tower is a spectacular skyscraper in Seoul, South Korea that reaches for the
sky with its 123 stories and 555 meters or 1,821 feet of height.
It is the tallest building in South Korea and the fifth tallest in the world.
It was completed in 2017 after six years of construction and was designed by Kohn Pedersen
Fox.
The tower is a vertical city that offers everything from shopping, dining, entertainment, culture,
and luxury.
It has an observation deck with stunning views of the Seoul skyline, a skywalk with a glass
floor for thrill-seekers, and a concert hall for music lovers.
4.
Ping An International Finance Centre – 1,966 Feet
Ping An International Finance Centre is a breathtaking skyscraper that rises 1,996 feet
or 599 meters above Shenzhen, China.
It is the second tallest building in China, and at the moment, it's the fourth tallest
in the world.
It was commissioned by Ping An Insurance, one of the world's largest investment companies,
and designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates, an American architectural firm.
The building has 118 floors that house offices, hotels, retail spaces, conference centers,
and an observation deck.
It was completed in 2017 after eight years of construction.
Ping An International Finance Centre is a vibrant symbol of Shenzhen's economic growth
and innovation.
3.
Abraj Al-Bait Clock Tower – 1,971 Feet
Abraj Al Bait is a complex of seven skyscraper hotels near the Great Mosque in Mecca, Saudi
Arabia.
It is owned by the government and serves as a place for pilgrims to stay during their
visit.
The complex's crown jewel is a looming clock tower that is 1,971 feet or 601 meters tall
and has four faces that show the current time and various Islamic prayers.
The clock tower also has a lunar observation center and an Islamic museum.
2.
Shanghai Tower – 2,073 Feet
Shanghai Tower is a towering 632-meter or 2.073 feet tall skyscraper in Shanghai, China.
It has 128 floors that include offices, hotels, restaurants, shops, and a public observatory.
It is, as of 2023, the tallest building in China and the second-tallest in the world.
It is also celebrated for being one of the most eco-friendly buildings in the world,
with a coveted LEED Platinum certification and a spiral shape that reduces wind pressure.
Shanghai Tower is a landmark of Shanghai's modern development and a very popular tourist
attraction.
1.
Burj Khalifa – 2,717 Feet
Burj Khalifa is not just a very tall building, it's the very definition of a skyscraper.
It towers over Dubai, United Arab Emirates, like a giant needle piercing the clouds.
It's the world's tallest building by far, reaching a staggering 2,717 feet or 828 meters
and 163 floors into the sky.
It was opened in 2010 and named after Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the beloved visionary
leader of Abu Dhabi who supported its construction.
It has everything you can imagine inside it: offices for the elite, hotels for the rich,
residences for the lucky, restaurants for the hungry, and an observation deck for the
curious.
It's a significant symbol of Dubai's daring and creativity and a magnet for tourists from
all over the world.
In The Works
5.
HeXi Yuzui Tower A – 1636 Feet
HeXi Yuzui Tower A is a still-in-construction skyscraper that will rise above Nanjing, China,
like a majestic dragon soaring over the land.
It's one of the tallest buildings under construction in the world, with a planned height of 1636
feet and 85 floors.
It will be completed in 2025 and will be part of the new HeXi Yuzui Financial District,
a complex of buildings that will shape Nanjing's future.
It will have various functions, such as offices, hotels, retail and cultural spaces.
It will also have a unique design that will reflect Nanjing's rich history and culture,
as well as its natural environment.
4.
Greenland Jinmao International Financial Center – 1640 Feet
Greenland Jinmao International Financial Center is yet another ginormous skyscraper that will
soon soar above Nanjing, China, like a shining beacon of modernity.
Upon completion, it will be one of the tallest buildings in the world, with a projected height
of 1.640 feet and 102 floors.
It started construction in 2019 and is expected to be completed in 2025.
It will have various functions, such as offices, hotels, retail, and entertainment spaces.
It will also have a distinctive design that will blend elegance and efficiency, with a
curved facade and a crown-like top.
3.
Signature Tower Jakarta – 2,093 Feet
Signature Tower Jakarta is a skyscraper that was planned to be built in Jakarta, Indonesia.
It was designed by Smallwood, Reynolds, Stewart, Stewart, and Stewart Associates, a renowned
architectural firm based in Atlanta, Georgia.
It was supposed to be a stunning 2093 feet high and 113 floors tall, making it the tallest
manmade structure in Southeast Asia and the fifth tallest in the world.
Due to various as-of-now unresolved reasons such as financial difficulties and legal disputes,
the project was never realized and currently remains a pipe dream for the time being.
While not technically canceled, it was announced in 2018, that the project was postponed indefinitely.
2.
Merdeka 118 – 2,113 Feet
This in-development skyscraper will rise above Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, like a proud symbol
of progress.
It's a 118-story megatall skyscraper that will be completed in 2022 and will be the
second-tallest building in the world, after Burj Khalifa in Dubai.
It will be 2,113 feet high and will have various functions, such as offices, hotels, retail,
and entertainment spaces.
It will also have a stunning design that will blend traditional and modern elements, with
a diamond-shaped crown and a spire that will illuminate the night sky.
1.
Dubai One Tower – 2,333 Feet
Last but not least, we have yet another project that is currently hanging in indefinite limbo.
Dubai One Tower was a skyscraper that was planned to be built in Dubai.
It was designed by NORR Group Consultants International Limited, a leading architectural
firm based in Toronto, Canada.
The tower was supposed to be 2,333 feet high and 161 floors tall, making it the tallest
residential building on the planet and the fourth tallest building in the world.
It was proposed in 2015 and was expected to be completed by 2020.
However, due to various issues such as financial problems and lackluster market conditions,
the project has currently been put on pause.
So, what do you think?
Would you ever consider visiting any of the world's tallest buildings such as the Burj
Khalifa or One World Trade Center, and are there any other super-tall structures that
you know of that failed to get a cameo in this video?
Let us know in the comments, and as always, thanks for watching!