Close
arrow-up-right
Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Stay informed with the best tips, trends, and news — straight to your inbox.

Subscribe Now
Insightschevron-rightchevron-rightEntertainmentchevron-rightThe World’s Tallest Buildings in 2024

The World’s Tallest Buildings in 2024

Written by ,  at .

The world’s tallest buildings redefine engineering possibilities and attract worldwide attention. Many of these structures serve as symbols of power, prosperity, and cultural pride for their host cities and countries. Below is a list of the 10 tallest buildings worldwide, along with key details on each.

1. Burj Khalifa (Dubai, UAE)

Height: 828 meters (2,717 feet)

Floors: 163

Completed: 2010

Architect: Adrian Smith (Skidmore, Owings & Merrill)

Key Facts:

  • Currently the tallest building in the world.
  • Located in Downtown Dubai, this skyscraper includes residential, commercial, and office spaces.
  • Observation decks on the 124th, 125th, and 148th floors offer views of Dubai’s skyline.

Interesting Note: Burj Khalifa’s foundation required over 330,000 cubic meters of concrete.

Building the world's tallest skyscraper - BESIX Watpac
Burj Khalifa

2. Merdeka 118 (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)

Height: 678.9 meters (2,227 feet)

Floors: 118

Completed: 2022

Architect: Fender Katsalidis

Key Facts:

  • Second-tallest building worldwide and the tallest in Southeast Asia.
  • The design incorporates patterns inspired by Malaysia’s cultural heritage.
  • Houses offices, a luxury hotel, and residential spaces.

Interesting Note: Merdeka 118’s glass façade is a nod to Malaysian art and culture.

Merdeka 118

3. Shanghai Tower (Shanghai, China)

Height: 632 meters (2,073 feet)

Floors: 128

Completed: 2015

Architect: Gensler

  • Key Facts:
    • The world’s tallest twisted tower.
    • Features the world’s fastest elevators, reaching speeds of 20.5 meters per second.
    • Includes a mix of office, hotel, and retail spaces.

Interesting Note: The building’s twisting form reduces wind load by 24%.

Shanghai Tower | Projects | Gensler
Shanghai Tower

4. Abraj Al-Bait Clock Tower (Mecca, Saudi Arabia)

Height: 601 meters (1,971 feet)

Floors: 120

Completed: 2012

Architect: Dar Al-Handasah

Key Facts:

  • Located near the Masjid al-Haram, the world’s largest mosque.
  • Houses a luxury hotel primarily catering to Islamic pilgrims.
  • Features the largest clock face in the world, visible from 25 kilometers away.

Interesting Note: The structure is part of the government’s efforts to modernize Mecca.

Abraj Al-Bait Clock Tower

5. Ping An Finance Centre (Shenzhen, China)

Height: 599 meters (1,965 feet)

Floors: 115

Completed: 2017

Architect: Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates

Key Facts:

  • Second-tallest building in China.
  • Primarily an office tower with high-end retail and event spaces.
  • The design aims for minimal environmental impact.

Interesting Note: Built to withstand typhoons and seismic activity, crucial for the region.

Ping An International Finance Centre, North Tower | Thornton Tomasetti
Ping An Finance Centre

6. Lotte World Tower (Seoul, South Korea)

Height: 555 meters (1,819 feet)

Floors: 123

Completed: 2016

Architect: Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates

Key Facts:

  • The tallest building in South Korea, featuring luxury offices, residences, and a hotel.
  • Observation deck at 497 meters offers panoramic views of Seoul.

Interesting Note: The tower’s design draws from Korean ceramics and calligraphy.

Lotte World Tower

7. One World Trade Center (New York, USA)

Height: 541.3 meters (1,776 feet)

Floors: 104

Completed: 2014

Architect: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill

Key Facts:

  • Tallest building in the Western Hemisphere.
  • Built on the original World Trade Center site and part of the rebuilt complex.
  • Primarily an office building, symbolizing resilience and recovery.

Interesting Note: Its height is symbolic, measuring 1,776 feet to reference the year of American independence.

Featured Image
One World Trade Center

8. Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre (Guangzhou, China)

Height: 530 meters (1,740 feet)

Floors: 111

Completed: 2016

Architect: Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates

Key Facts:

  • Features an observation deck and a high-speed elevator reaching 20 meters per second.
  • Houses offices, apartments, and a Rosewood hotel.

Interesting Note: Uses an advanced façade design to regulate temperature, reducing energy consumption.

Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre

9. Tianjin CTF Finance Centre (Tianjin, China)

Height: 530 meters (1,740 feet)

Floors: 98

Completed: 2019

Architect: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill

Key Facts:

  • A mixed-use building with offices, apartments, and a luxury hotel.
  • Its aerodynamic design minimizes wind resistance and increases stability.

Interesting Note: Built to withstand harsh winter conditions typical of northern China.

Tianjin CTF Finance Centre Recognized as the 7th Tallest Building in the  World
Tianjin CTF Finance Centre

10. CITIC Tower (Beijing, China)

Height: 528 meters (1,732 feet)

Floors: 108

Completed: 2018

Architect: Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates

Key Facts:

  • Known as the “China Zun” due to its shape resembling an ancient Chinese wine vessel.
  • Primarily used for office space, with observation areas and dining.

Interesting Note: Symbolizes China’s strength and economic rise.

CITIC Tower Becomes Beijing's Tallest Building
CITIC Tower

Here's a comparison table for the world's tallest buildings, showcasing key details for easy reference.

Top 10 Tallest Buildings in the World

Top 10 Tallest Buildings in the World

Rank Building Name Location Height (meters) Completion Year
1 Burj Khalifa Dubai, UAE 828 2010
2 Merdeka 118 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 678.9 2022
3 Shanghai Tower Shanghai, China 632 2015
4 Abraj Al-Bait Clock Tower Mecca, Saudi Arabia 601 2012
5 Ping An Finance Centre Shenzhen, China 599 2017
6 Lotte World Tower Seoul, South Korea 555 2016
7 One World Trade Center New York, USA 541.3 2014
8 Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre Guangzhou, China 530 2016
9 Tianjin CTF Finance Centre Tianjin, China 530 2019
10 CITIC Tower Beijing, China 528 2018

Observations and Trends in Global Skyscraper Development

Asia Dominates: Seven of the top ten tallest buildings are located in Asia. China alone is home to five of them, reflecting the country’s urban expansion and economic growth.

Multi-Use Spaces: Most of these skyscrapers incorporate a mix of office, hotel, retail, and residential spaces, allowing them to cater to diverse urban needs.

Architectural Firms: Leading architecture firms like Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates dominate the field, designing several of the tallest buildings.

Sustainability: Recent buildings use sustainable technologies, such as energy-efficient façades and systems to reduce water and power consumption.

Cultural Significance: Many designs integrate local culture, history, or symbolism, connecting architecture with national identity.

These structures represent both advanced engineering and powerful symbols for the cities they stand in.

Disclosure: This list is intended as an informational resource and is based on independent research and publicly available information. It does not imply that these businesses are the absolute best in their category. Learn more here.

This post is also related to
No items found.

Company Name

Location
450 Wellington Street West, Suite 101, Toronto, ON M5V 1E3
Subscribe
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

By submitting I agree to Brand Vision Privacy Policy and T&C.

home_and_garden com