What's the World's Tallest Building?

The Empire State Building and the Sears Tower, once considered the tallest buildings in the world, have since been surpassed by newer, more massive structures. Over the last few decades, advances in engineering and construction have allowed buildings to soar to unprecedented heights.

However, the significance of these early skyscrapers remains undiminished. Chicago's Home Insurance Building, built in 1885, was the first structure of its kind. It utilized an innovative steel frame and stood 10 stories tall, with two additional floors added in 1890. It was demolished in 1931 and replaced by a taller building.

Despite no longer standing, the Home Insurance Building, along with other early skyscrapers, laid the groundwork for modern advancements in skyscraper design. These buildings taught engineers valuable lessons in protection against elements like wind and lightning, as well as in elevator systems, plumbing, and electrical installations. Today's tallest buildings owe much to these early architectural milestones. Below are the top seven tallest buildings, listed in reverse order:

7. One World Trade Center

Rising from the ashes of the 9/11 tragedy, One World Trade Center opened in 2014 as the tallest building in North America. At 1,776 feet (541.3 meters) tall, with 408 feet of that height coming from its spire, it houses 3 million square feet of office space. This 55-story building is part of the larger World Trade Center complex, which also serves as a memorial to those lost in the 2001 attacks.

6. Lotte World Tower

Located in Seoul, South Korea, the Lotte World Tower stands at 1,819 feet (554 meters) and is home to a variety of attractions. Visitors enjoy an indoor theme park, multiple theaters, an outdoor park, and a folk museum. The tower boasts 123 floors and attracts around 13 million visitors annually. Its design is further enhanced by 42,000 glass windows, many of which are curved for aesthetic appeal. Completed in 2017, it is South Korea's tallest building.

5. Ping An Finance Centre

Standing 1,965 feet (599 meters) tall in Shenzhen, China, the Ping An Finance Centre was completed in 2017. This 115-story structure houses offices, retail spaces, and a conference center. It's named after the Ping An Insurance Company, which is headquartered in the building, but it does not include any residential areas.

4. Makkah Royal Clock Tower Hotel

In Mecca, Saudi Arabia, the Makkah Royal Clock Tower Hotel reaches 1,972 feet (601 meters) and is the tallest hotel and clock tower in the world. Completed in 2012, this 120-story building features commercial and residential spaces across seven towers. The clock tower, illuminated by over 2 million LED lights, stands as the tallest in the world. The hotel includes prayer rooms, an Islamic museum, and fitness centers for men and women. With a construction cost exceeding $15 billion, it holds the title of the world's most expensive building.

3. Shanghai Tower

Shanghai Tower, completed in 2015, is China's tallest building at 2,073 feet (632 meters). It consists of 128 stories and is known for its high-speed elevators, which travel at 49 miles per hour (74 kph). The tower’s design features nine cylindrical buildings stacked on top of each other. It also includes a Four Seasons hotel with a pool on the 84th floor, one of the highest pools in the world.

2. Merdeka 118

Recently surpassing the Shanghai Tower, Merdeka 118 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, is the second tallest building in the world, standing at 2,227 feet (678.7 meters). Completed in late 2022, it includes office, retail, residential, and hotel spaces. Notably, it houses the largest observation deck in Southeast Asia. It’s also the first tower in Malaysia to earn triple-platinum sustainability certification.

1. Burj Khalifa

Standing as the tallest building in the world, Burj Khalifa in Dubai reached its height of 2,716 feet (828 meters) upon completion in 2010. This "vertical city" includes over 160 floors and is home to a variety of establishments, including offices, a hotel, restaurants, fitness facilities, residences, and a mosque. Burj Khalifa’s height has earned it several records, including the highest restaurant, tallest elevator, and most floors in a building. It cost an astounding $1.5 billion to construct.