Top 20 Tallest Buildings to Visit in the World

1. Empire State Building

The Empire State Building in New York City is the most popular skyscraper in the world. The elegant Art Deco-style building stands 381 meters (1,250 feet) tall and 443 meters (1,454 feet) at the tip of the antenna. The massive skyscraper was built between 1930 and 1931. 3,400 workers were employed to complete the building in just 13 months. The Empire State Building was commissioned by John J. Raskob, a prominent financier who spearheaded the project. The Empire State Building remained the tallest building in the world for 40 years and is the most visited skyscraper worldwide. 

2. Burj Khalifa

The Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world since its opening in 2010. The iconic skyscraper is in the middle of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. The Burj Khalifa was built as part of a large-scale development project by Emaar Properties. It was constructed within three and a half years with the help of Adrian Smith from Skidmore Architects in Chicago. The Burj Khalifa has 163 floors and stands 828 meters (2,717 feet) tall. At the heart of the foundation is a 3.7-meter (12-feet) thick concert mat, the base on which the whole structure is built. A fun fact is that the Burj Khalifa sways, as the building was made to absorb wind energy and prevent damage.

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3. One World Trade Center

One World Trade Center is located in New York City, U.S. The building was commissioned by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to replace the fallen Twin Towers that were destroyed on Sept. 11, 2021. One World Trade Center is the centerpiece of Ground Zero, which includes four office towers, a transportation hub, and the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. One World Trade Center stands at 541 meters (1,776 feet) with 104 floors to the top floor and 546 meters (1,792 feet) to the tip. Construction of the building took eight years and six months to complete. The building opened its doors on Nov. 3, 2014. A hidden gem is between the fourth and fifth floors, where a manufactured waterfall cascades down a granite wall. It’s not accessible to the general public, but it can be seen from the building’s observation deck with a keen eye.

4. Eiffel Tower

The crown jewel of Paris, France, the Eiffel Tower, stands 300 meters (984 feet) to the top floor and 330 meters (1,083 feet) to the antenna. Gustave Eiffel designed it as the centerpiece of the 1889 World’s Fair, which celebrated the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution. Built by the Société Eiffel Company between 1887 and 1889, it opened to the public on May 15, 1889. Initially, Parisians weren’t big fans of the tower’s design. It was considered an eyesore, which almost got the project scrapped. It was initially planned to be dismantled after 20 years, but it proved useful for radio transmissions, so it was saved. Today, the Eiffel Tower is the most visited paid monument in the world, attracting nearly 7 million visitors annually, about 75 percent of them international.

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5. Trump International Hotel and Tower

Trump International Hotel and Tower is in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. The skyscraper was originally constructed in the late 1960s as an office building designed by Thomas E. Stanley. It has 44 stories and stands 178 meters (583 feet) tall. In the mid-1990s, a joint venture was formed between the General Electric Pension Fund, Galbreath Company, and Donald Trump to remodel the building. The project was overseen by architects Philip Johnson and Costas Kondylis, who renovated the building into the current Trump International Hotel and Tower.

6. The Shard

The Shard is a skyscraper in London that stands 309.6 meters (1,016 feet) to the roof and 308.5 meters (1,012 feet) to the tip of the spire. Built between 2009 and 2012, the Shard was commissioned by Irvine Sellar, a British developer who wanted to redevelop the 1970s-era Soviet Tower next to London Bridge station. Italian architect Renzo Piano designed the Shard. Piano employed a tapering design towards the top with pieces of glass shards that don’t touch one another. This helps reflect the light of the sun unpredictably. The Shard has 72 floors from ground level to floor 40, which is used for office space. 

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7. Berliner Fernsehturm

Berliner Fernsehturm is a tower in Berlin that is the tallest building in Germany, reaching a height of 368.03 meters (1,207.45 feet). The tower was commissioned by the government of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) in 1964. The tower was built to provide better television and radio broadcasting services for East Germany to showcase technological and economic advancements. The Berliner Fernsehturm has a sphere level with a restaurant and observation deck. 

8. Petronas Tower 1

Petronas Tower 1 is one of two twin towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The towers are the world’s tallest twin towers, standing 451.9 meters (1,483 feet) at the tip. The Petronas Towers were commissioned by the Malaysian government and former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and were completed in 1993. The towers are connected by a double-decker sky bridge on the 41st and 42nd floors. The sky bridge is 170 meters (558 feet) high and is the world’s highest two-story bridge.

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9. Petronas Tower 2

Petronas Tower 2 is the other twin tower in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It has office spaces and the Petrosains Discovery Centre, a two-level science museum with interactive exhibits. Petronas Tower 2 also has an 86th-floor observation deck. Each tower has 88 floors and stands 451.9 meters (1,483 feet) tall. 

10. CN Tower

CN Tower is a famous skyscraper in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. A team led by Canadian architects John Andrews, Webb Zerafa, and Frank Darling, along with engineers Nils Hastings and Fazlur Khan, has been credited with the architectural and engineering design of the CN Tower. Canadian National Railway Company (CN) commissioned the CN Tower to be built to help improve telecommunication capabilities across Canada. The tower contains 6 restaurants and observation levels. It stands 346 meters (1,136 feet) to the top floor and 553.3 meters (1,815.3 feet) to the tip of the antenna.

11. Willis Tower

Willis Tower is located in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. The tower was formerly known as the Sears Tower. It was commissioned by Sears, Roebuck & Co. to consolidate its growing workforce under one roof. With 110 floors, the Willis Tower stands at 442 meters (1,450 feet) to the top of the floor and 527 meters (1,730 feet) to the tip, including the antenna. Fazlur Khan was credited as the lead designer for the Willis Tower. Khan revolutionized skyscrapers with this design for the “bundled tube,” which allowed super-tall buildings to be more efficient and withstand wind loads.

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12. Emirates Office Tower

Emirates Office Tower is a modern office building that stands 354.6 meters (1,163 feet) and has 54 stories. It was completed in 2000 and was among the first skyscrapers in Dubai’s financial district along Sheikh Zayed Road. Building the Emirates Office Tower marked a turning point in the city’s development, helping establish the area as a major business hub.

13. 23 Marina

23 Marina is a residential skyscraper in Dubai, UAE. The skyscraper was designed by the well-known Hafeez Contractor, a renowned architect based in Dubai who is known for his work on high-rise buildings. 23 Marina stands at 392.8 meters (1,289 feet) and is the fourth tallest building in Dubai. It held the title of tallest residential building in the world until 2022. Construction took place in 2005 and was completed in 2012. The building includes 88 stories and has 57 swimming pools. 

14. Tokyo Tower

Tokyo Tower is a communications and observation tower in Minato, Tokyo, Japan. Takenaka Corporation built The tower after World War II in 1958 as a symbol of Japan’s economic recovery. The Nippon Television City Corporation commissioned the Tokyo Tower. It was designed by the famous Japanese architect Tachū Naitō, who got his inspiration from the Eiffel Tower. The tower stands 333 meters (1,092 feet) by design. The number 333 is a symbolic reference to the distance radio waves could travel at the time, ensuring the tower could effectively transmit signals throughout the Kanto region. Every seven years, the Tokyo Tower undertakes several months of repainting the tower white and orange to keep its bright appearance and ensure visibility for air traffic control.

15. Central Park Tower

The Central Park Tower in New York City is known as the big shadow overlooking Central Park by New Yorkers. The building was commissioned by Extell Development Company. Famous architects Adrian Smith and Gordon Gill, part of a renowned architectural firm known for their work on super-tall skyscrapers, designed Central Park Tower. The building includes 131 floors, standing 432.4 meters (1,417 feet ) to the top floor and 472.4 meters (1,550 feet) to the tip. Central Park Tower is the tallest residential building in the world. The three-story penthouse has seven bedrooms, eight bathrooms, and two kitchens.

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16. 432 Park Avenue

432 Park Avenue is a skyscraper in New York City, U.S. The building’s design is striking due to its extreme slenderness. As one of the most slender skyscrapers in the world, the height-to-width ratio is 15:1. The building stands 426 meters (1,396 feet) in Midtown Manhattan. The luxury building was designed by architect Rafael Viñoly. The architect needed to incorporate a unique concrete mix (poured portland cement), a tuned mass damper, and a large pendulum near the top that helps counter wind sway to ensure the building’s stability. On the top of the building sits a tuned mass damper, which acts as a counterweight to the building.

17. 30 Hudson Yards

30 Hudson Yards is the sixth tallest building in New York City. At 100 stories, it stands 395 meters (1,296 feet). Designers Bill Pedersen and Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (KPF) imagined it would be the “dance” partner to 10 Hudson Yards. 30 Hudson Yard is famous for its impressive neo-futuristic architectural style. It’s home to the world’s highest outdoor observation deck on the 100th floor. “The Edge” offers breathtaking 360-degree views of New York City with transparent flooring, making this a hot spot for tourists visiting the city. 

18. Shanghai Tower

Shanghai Tower in China is a skyscraper in the clouds. It’s the second tallest building in the world, coming in at 632 meters (2,073 feet) and having 128 stories. The local companies in Shanghai got together and commissioned the building to be built. A collaboration with Gensler Design, Thornton Tomasetti, and a group of Chinese companies gave this tower a curved and twisted form. The twisting design acts like a giant funnel, channeling wind to power turbines integrated into the facade. This innovative design makes the Shanghai Tower one of the tallest green buildings in the world.

19. St. Regis Chicago

St. Regis Chicago opened its doors in May of 2023, overlooking the Chicago River with sprawling views of Navy Pier and Lake Michigan. The building has 101 stories, standing 365 meters (1,198 feet). The St. Regis Chicago is the tallest building designed by a woman architect (Jeanne Gang). Known for her innovative designs, Gang is the mastermind behind the St. Regis Chicago and Aqua, another Chicago skyscraper. These are the two tallest structures designed by a woman in the world.

20. Taipei 101

Taipei 101 is an iconic skyscraper located in Taipei, Taiwan. It was once the tallest building, from 2004 to 2010. The pagodas in ancient China influenced the design of Taipei 101. Taipei 101 has 101 floors, 5 basement levels, and a total height of 509 meters (1,0671 feet.) Taipei 101 is famous for its innovative damper system that improves structural stability and reduces the effects of earthquakes and wind. A 730-ton sphere sits between the 88th and 92nd floor, swinging gently back and forth, counteracting wind forces. It’s powered by the natural movement of the building and the forces of gravity.

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