The term skyscraper became widespread in the late 19th century as a result of public awe at the tall structures being built in Chicago and New York City. Because they give a favorable ratio of rentable floor space per unit area of land, skyscrapers are becoming more common in metropolitan cities nowadays. They are not, however, created only for the purpose of saving space. Skyscrapers, like ancient temples and towers, are seen as symbols of a city’s economic might. They not only contribute to defining the city’s identity, but they also help to define the skyline.
1: Burj Al Arab
View this post on Instagram
The Burj Al Arab is the world’s second-highest hotel building, standing at 321 meters (1,050 feet). However, the Ryugyong Hotel in Pyongyang, North Korea (which has been incomplete for over 20 years) is 9 meters (30 feet) taller, and the Rose Tower in Dubai, which is also 333 meters (1,090 feet) tall, has surpassed Burj Al Arab as the world’s highest hotel. One of its restaurants is 200 meters (660 feet) above the Persian Gulf, with breathtaking views over Dubai. It is located on an artificial island with a private curved bridge connecting it to the mainland. It is a famous tower that was built to represent Dubai’s urban metamorphosis and to resemble a sail on a boat.
2: Petronas Twin Towers
View this post on Instagram
Before Taipei 101 in 2004, the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur were the world’s highest skyscrapers. However, the twin towers remain the world’s tallest twin structures. The 88-story towers are mostly made of reinforced concrete, with a steel and glass exterior that resembles Islamic art themes, reflecting Malaysia’s Muslim religion. On the 41st, 42nd floors, there is a sky bridge connecting the two towers. It is made to slide in and out of the towers rather than being fastened to the main construction to prevent it from breaking during severe winds. The sky bridge also serves as a safety feature, allowing people to escape an emergency in one tower by crossing the sky bridge to the other. Also, read Most Famous Mausoleums in the World.
3: Burj Dubai
View this post on Instagram
The Burj Dubai is a must-see icon in Dubai, as it is already the world’s tallest skyscraper and continues to rise every day. It will be 818 meters tall when completed at the end of this year (2,684 ft). The lower 37 stories will be occupied by an Armani Hotel. On 64 stories, 700 individual apartments will be located on floors 45 through 108. On the 78th story of the skyscraper, there will be an outdoor swimming pool. Except for a 123rd story lobby and a 124th-floor observation deck, the other floors will be filled with corporate offices and suites.
4: Taipei 101
View this post on Instagram
Taipei 101 was the world’s highest skyscraper until 2007 when it was surpassed by Burj Dubai at 508.0 meters (1,667 feet). Taipei 101 was built to resist the typhoon winds and seismic disturbances that frequently strike Taipei and Taiwan. The tower’s height of 101 stories represents the passage of time; the new century that began when the tower was erected (100+1) and all subsequent years (January 1 = 1-01). The tower is divided into eight pieces, each with eight stories. The number eight is connected with abundance, prosperity, and good fortune in Chinese-speaking cultures. Also, read 10 Most Famous Towers in the World.
5: Chrysler Building
View this post on Instagram
This Building is an Art Deco skyscraper on the east side of Manhattan in New York City. It was the world’s tallest structure for 11 months, standing at 319 meters (1,047 feet), before eclipsed by the Empire State Building in 1931. There was a fierce race in New York to build the world’s highest skyscraper at the time of its construction. Despite the frenzied pace of construction (the building was developed at a rate of four stories per week on average), no workers died during the development of this skyscraper. This Building is a great example of Art Deco architecture, and many current architects consider it to be one of New York City’s greatest structures.
6: Shanghai World Financial Center
View this post on Instagram
The Shanghai World Financial Center is a mixed-use skyscraper in Pudong, Shanghai, that has offices, hotels, conference rooms, observation decks, and shopping malls. 174 rooms and suites in the Park Hyatt Shanghai Hotel. The skyscraper reached a height of 492 meters (1,614.2 feet) in 2007, making it the tallest structure in China, including Hong Kong. The hole at the top of the structure is its most distinguishing characteristic. Some Chinese objected to the circular design because it looked too similar to the rising sun on the Japanese flag. A different design substituted a trapezoidal hole for the circle, giving the structure the appearance of a large bottle opener, according to some. Also, read 8 Most Beautiful Fjords of the World.
7: Sears Tower
View this post on Instagram
The Sears Tower in Chicago is a 108-story skyscraper with a height of 442 meters (1,450 feet). It was the world’s tallest structure at the time of its completion in 1973, surpassing New York’s WTC towers. On a windy day, visitors can see how the building sways. On a clear day, they can see far across the Illinois prairies and across Lake Michigan. In each of the two elevators, it takes roughly 60 seconds to reach the top. On July 16, 2009, Sears Tower was renamed Willis Tower.
8: Bank of China Tower
View this post on Instagram
The Bank of China Tower is one of Hong Kong’s most well-known skyscrapers. From 1989 to 1992, it was the highest skyscraper in Hong Kong and Asia, standing at 305.0 meters (1,000.7 feet). The structural expressionism used in this building’s architecture resembles growing bamboo shoots, which represent prosperity and livelihood. Some Feng Shui practitioners have criticized the structure for its sharp edges and the negative symbolism of the multiple ‘X’ shapes in its original design. The public has access to a tiny observation deck on the building’s 43rd floor.