21st has been a unique century for towering skyscrapers. Dubai, Shanghai, New York, Taiwan – all around the world ever taller and ever more astonishing new skyscrapers are being planned and built. Read on to get acquainted with the list of top 10 of the tallest buildings in the world that have changed the overall skyline of the globe.
Burj Khalifa, Dubai, UAE 829 meters, 2010
Dubai has long been a showplace for innovative, modern buildings. And in 2010 the United Arab Emirates broke world records for building height with the 2,723ft-high Burj Khalifa – a world-class destination and the magnificent centerpiece of Downtown Dubai, designed by the architects Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. A massive mixed use development, the awe-inspiring Burj Khalifa is a combination of thirty thousand residences, nine hotels, seven acres of parkland, 19 residential towers, a shopping mall, and a 30-acre man-made lake. According to tourists, Burj Khalifa is currently one of Dubai’s most famous attractions.
Shanghai Tower, Shanghai, China, 632 meters, 2014
The next tallest building in the world is almost 200 meters shorter the Burj Khalifa. As a complex super tall building, Shaghai Tower is subdivided into 5 main functional areas: 24-hour offices for multinational companies; ultramodern hotels and support facilities; high-end retail shops; recreation zone; conference facilities, including sightseeing rooms in upper floors; and a multifunction about 1000-square-meter banquet hall in podium building. One of the most interesting features of Shanghai Tower are its elevators, which are the tallest in the world, with a speed of 18 meters a second.
Makkah Royal Clock Tower Hotel, Mecca, Saudi Arabia, 601 meters, 2012
Also known as Abraj Al Bait, the luxurious Makkah Royal Clock Tower is an icon of hospitality and perhaps the finest property in the Holy City that never fails to appeal visitors with its superb facilities and top-notch services. Over a thousand opulent guestrooms and suites provide guests’ pleasurable stay, while 76 elevators allow easy access to the holy Masjid Haram for prayers. As to dining options, at any time, nine exceptional dining venues await for intimate and expansive gatherings alike. The most striking feature of the building is its 40-meter Royal Clock, with such a large face that can be seen from 25 kilometers away.
One World Trade Center, New York City, 541.3 meters, 2014
60 meters behind in fourth place follows the majestic One World Trade Center in New York City, constructed on the site of the former World Trade Center, which was destroyed in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. An ever-present symbol of renewal and hope, this amazing architectural and engineering marvel was designed by renowned architect David Childs, of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill LLP, and is considered the safest commercial structure in the world and the premier commercial business address in New York, with over 3 million square feet of office space on 71 office floors.
Taipei 101, Taipei, 509 meters, 2004
Named Taipei 101 for its location in Taiwan’s capital Taipei and for the number of stories in the building – 101 in total, this fascinating building takes the sixth place in the list. 509 meters at height, the tower is rich in symbolism and tradition, which make it an iconic landmark for locals and tourists alike. Located in the heart of the city, Taipei 101 is surrounded by department stores, a theater, businesses and a skywalk. It’s interesting to note that the tower’s design and specifications are all based on the ‘8,’ a lucky number in traditional Chinese culture.
Shanghai World Financial Center, Shanghai, 492 meters, 2008
Designed by the Kohn Pedersen Fox architectural firm and managed by the Mori Building Corporation of Japan, the 492-meter-high Shanghai World Financial Center proudly stands in the center of Lujiazui Finance & Trade Zone in Pudong, next to Shanghai Tower and Jin Mao Tower. The structure features 3 floors of underground parking, shops and a conference center on floors 1 through 5, offices on floors 7 through 77, a luxury hotel (Hyatt Regency) housed on floors 79 through 93, and finally an observation and exhibition areas on floors 94 through 100. To protect the building from fierce winds, the Shanghai World Financial Center holds two tuned mass dampers below its observation floors to reduce the building’s sway during disasters.
International Commerce Center, Hong Kong, 484 meters, 2010
The 484 meter International Commerce Center, known locally as ICC, was opened in 2001, and since its opening has been an attraction for both tourists and business people. Innovative in that the building contains residential, commercial and business facilities, and a world-class transportation system, ICC is also home to 4- and 5-star restaurants, Elements Mall, and the light display, which is the best in the city visible from the Avenue of Stars. To save space and make elevator travel quicker, the developers have installed double-deck elevators, which are the first of this type in Hong Kong.
Petronas Tower 1 and 2, Kuala Lumpur, 452 meters, 1998
The ninth and tenth places are shared by the twin Petornas Towers. Situated at the capital city of Malaysia, these amazing buildings count among the most famous attractions in Kuala Lumpur, thanks in part to a sky bridge that connects both skyscrapers on its 41st and 24nd floors. The towers are ‘intelligent’ structures, built with a system that seamlessly coordinates telecommunications, environment control, power supply, lighting, fire smoke control, ad building security. They feature a total of 76 lifts, including 29 double-decker high speed passenger lifts in each tower, each able to carry 26 persons. The total construction costs for the two Petronas Twin Towers amount to $1600 000 000.
Zifeng Tower, Nanjing, 450 meters, 2010
The Formerly called Nanjing Greenland Financial Center, the 89-storey Zifeng Tower was developed by Shanghai Greenland Group, a company with more than 50 years of professional experience and Nanjing State-owned groups. Structure of the building is composite; its façade looks like a curtain wall made of glass with the main usage of it being office and commercial. At the very high peak of the tower there are numerous restaurants and an observatory. The upper levels also house a hotel, offering the best in accommodations and service. From the top of the skyscraper people can enjoy sweeping views of the nearby lake, the surrounding mountains, and the city’s many historic buildings.
‘What will the next challenge of man in search of heaven be?’ is already known to public. In 2019, world will see the opening of the world’s tallest building – the 1007-meters-high Kingdom Tower in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for the construction of which developers have invested $1 230 000 000.
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