Living in the city, makes you accustomed to all the tall buildings and night lights. Isn’t it fascinating to see all these buildings and realize how tiny we are yet how capable also to construct such gigantic structures? Skyscrapers are of unusual height. The term skyscraper first came into use in the 1880s after tall buildings started to emerge in the United States. But in the 20th century, tall buildings are classified as skyscrapers if they reach 50 floors. Check out the tallest skyscrapers in the world!
Top 1. Burj Khalifa
Rising to Number 1 is Burj Khalifa. Hailed as the tallest skyscraper since its completion in 2010. Catering to residential, commercial and hospitality ventures, this was constructed in 2004 and the exterior was finished by 2009. It officially opened its doors to the public in 2010. It was named as Burj Dubai originally but the name was changed to Burj Khalifa in honor of the leader of the Abu Dhabi Emirate. Cleaning the exterior of this skyscraper will take you 3 months!
Top 2. Shanghai Tower
Standing next to Burj Khalifa is the Shanghai Tower. Located in the city of Shanghai in China, this skyscraper boasts the world’s fastest elevators known to travel 18 meters per second. It is the first building in China to reach a height of 600 meters. The building is designed to spiral with a degree variation for every floor.
Top 3. Makkah Royal Clock Tower
The third tallest building is the Makkah Royal Clock Tower. This 601-meter skyscraper located in Saudi Arabia boasts a clock tower that you still can see even when you are 25 kilometers away from it! It sparked controversies as it was built on the site of the 18th-century Ottoman Ayjad Fortress. It is also just meters away from the world’s biggest mosque, the Great Mosque of Mecca.
Top 4. Ping’An International Finance Center
The tallest building constructed in 2016, Ping’An International Finance Center stands at 599 meters. It is the tallest office building in the world. How many employees work here though? Well, rank 4 ain’t bad at all.
Top 5. Lotte World Tower
Lotter World Tower brings South Korea to greater heights, literally! Its nearby famous spots are Lotte Complex, a recreation spot in South Korea, and the romantic Han River. Officially opened its doors in 2017, this 555-meter skyscraper took 13 years in planning until the government gave a go signal to its construction.
Top 6. One World Trade Center
The only skyscraper from the West is the One World Trade Center. It became the tallest building in New York City at 541 meters. Built on the ground zero of the 2001 9-11 attack, this tower is also called the Freedom Tower. Construction started in 2006 and ended last 2013.
Top 7. Guangzhou CTF Finance Center
Last on the list is the CTF Finance Center located in Guangzhou, China. The 531-meter skyscraper is the third tallest in China. Designed to be a green building, CTF Finance Center uses less water and is more energy sufficient than others. It earned LEED gold certifications last 2018 and 2019. Plus, it has 95 elevators! No more waiting in long queues!
That’s seven of the tallest buildings in the world. So stay tuned if they will keep their thrones or will they be dethroned?
Sources
https://www.thetealmango.com/featured/tallest-buildings-in-the-world/
https://constructiondigital.com/top10/10-tallest-buildings-world
https://www.skyscrapercenter.com/buildings
https://www.britannica.com/technology/skyscraper
https://www.emporis.com/statistics/worlds-tallest-buildings
https://www.wsp.com/en-MY/projects/guangzhou-ctf-finance-centre
https://www.designbuild-network.com/projects/makkah-royal-clock-tower-mecca/
https://www.wsp.com/en-MY/projects/guangzhou-ctf-finance-centre
