World's Tallest Structures

List of tallest buildings and structures in the

world

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

(Redirected from World's tallest structures)

While determining the world's tallest structure has generally been

straightforward, the definition of the world's tallest building or the

world's tallest tower is less clear. The disputes generally centre on

what should be counted as a building or a tower, and what is being

measured.

In terms of absolute height, the tallest structure is currently the Burj

Dubai, although it does not currently hold the official title of "Tallest

Building in the World" until the building is officially opened. The

current official holder of the "Tallest Building in the World" is held by

Taipei 101. In addition, there are dozens of radio and television

broadcasting towers which measure over 600 metres (about 2,000 feet)

in height. There is, however, some debate about:

� whether structures under construction should be included in the list

� whether structures rising out of water should have their below-water height included.

For towers, there is debate over:

� whether guy-wire-supported structures should be counted

For buildings, there is debate over:

� whether communication towers with observation galleries should be considered habitable buildings.

� whether only habitable height is considered. � whether roof-top antennas should be considered towards height of buildings; with particular

interest in whether components that look like spires can be either classified as antennas or architectural detail.

The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, the organization that determines the title of the

"World’s Tallest Building," recognizes a building only if at least fifty percent of its height is made up of

floor plates containing habitable floor area.[1] Structures that do not meet this criterion, such as the CN Tower, are defined as "towers."

Burj Dubai in Dubai, United Arab Emirates is currently the

world's tallest man-made structure. It was topped-out at 818 m (2,684 ft) on 17 January

2009.

Contents

� 1 Tallest structures � 1.1 Tallest structure by category

Page 1 of 19List of tallest buildings and structures in the world - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

2/4/2008http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World's_tallest_structures

Tallest structures

The tallest man-made structure is Burj Dubai, a skyscraper under

construction in Dubai that reached 818 m (2,684 ft) in height on 17

January 2009.[2] By 7 April 2008 it had been built higher than the KVLY-TV mast in North Dakota, USA, which is still the tallest

completed structure at 628.8 m (2,063 ft).[3] In September it officially surpassed Poland's 646.38 m (2,121 ft) Warsaw radio mast, which

stood from 1974 to 1991, to become the tallest structure ever built.

Guyed lattice towers such as these masts had held the world height

record since 1954.

The CN Tower in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, standing at 553.3 m

(1,815 ft), is the world's tallest completed freestanding structure on

land. Opened in 1976, it was surpassed in height by the rising Burj

Dubai on September 12, 2007.[4][5][6] It has the world's second highest public observation deck at 446.5 m (1,465 ft).

The Petronius Platform stands 610 m (2,001 ft) off the sea floor leading

some, including Guinness World Records 2007, to claim it as the tallest

freestanding structure in the world. However, it is debated whether

underwater height should be discounted in the same manner as height

below grade is ignored on buildings. The Troll A platform is 472 m (1,549 ft), without any part of that

height being supported by wires. The tension-leg type of oil platform has even greater below-water

heights with several examples more than 1,000 metres (3,300 ft) deep. However, these platforms are not

considered constant structures as the vast majority of their height is made up of the length of the tendons

attaching the floating platforms to the sea floor.

Taipei 101 in Taipei, Taiwan is currently the world's tallest inhabited building in only one of the four

main categories that are commonly measured: at 509.2 m (1,671 ft) as measured to its architectural

height (spire). Its roof height 449.2 m (1,474 ft) and highest occupied floor 439.2 m (1,441 ft) have

recently been overtaken by the Shanghai World Financial Center (roof height 487 m (1,598 ft); highest

occupied floor 474 m (1,555 ft)). The Sears Tower is highest in the final category: the greatest height to

� 1.2 Tallest destroyed structures by category, not surpassed by existing structures � 1.3 Tallest building by function

� 2 Tallest buildings � 2.1 History of record holders in each CTBUH category

� 3 World's tallest freestanding structure on land � 3.1 History � 3.2 World's highest observation deck � 3.3 Timeline of guyed structures on land

� 4 Tallest structures, freestanding structures, and buildings � 5 Under construction � 6 Proposed � 7 See also � 8 References � 9 External links

KVLY-TV mast, the height record holder from 1963–1974

and 1991–2008.



top of antenna of any building in the world at 527.3 m (1,730 ft).

On its completion, projected for late 2009, Burj Dubai will break the

height record in all four categories for completed buildings by a wide

margin. The Shanghai World Financial Center has the world's highest

roof, highest occupied floor, and the world's highest public observation

deck at 474.2 m (1,556 ft). It will retain the latter record after the

completion of Burj Dubai, as Burj Dubai's observation deck will be at

442 m (1,450 ft).

Tallest structure by category

Due to the disagreements over how to measure height and classify

structures, engineers have created various definitions for categories of

buildings and other structures. One measure includes the absolute

height of a building, another includes only spires and other permanent

architectural features, but not antennas. The tradition of including the

spire on top of a building and not including the antenna dates back to

the rivalry between the Chrysler Building and 40 Wall Street. A

modern-day example is that the antenna on top of the Sears tower are

not considered part of its architectural height, while the spires on top of

the Petronas towers are counted.

The CN Tower in Toronto, Ontario was the world's tallest freestanding structure on land from 1975 until Burj Dubai surpassed it in 2007, rising 553.33 m (1,815 ft). It is

currently the world's tallest completed freestanding

structure on land.



insulated against ground

VLF transmitter Lualualei

United StatesLualualei, Hawaii

458.11 1,503

Twin towersPetronas Twin Towers

MalaysiaKuala Lumpur

452 1,482

ChimneyGRES-2 Power Station

Kazakhstan Ekibastusz 419.7 1,377

RadarDimona Radar Facility

Israel Dimona 400 1,312

Guyed tubular steel mast

Belmont transmitting station

United Kingdom

Donington on Bain

387.7 1,272

Lattice towerKiev TV Tower

Ukraine Kiev 385 1,263

Partially guyed tower

Gerbrandy Tower

Netherlands IJsselstein 366.8 1,203

Electricity pylon

Yangtze River Crossing, Jiangyin

China Jiangyin 346.5 1,137

Bridge pillarMillau Viaduct

France Millau 342 1,122

Iron tower Tokyo Tower Japan Tokyo 333 1,092

Five-sided building

JPMorgan Chase Tower

United States Houston 305 1,002

Dam Nurek Dam Tajikistan Nurek 300 984[7]

Concrete damGrande Dixence Dam

Switzerland Val d'Hérens 285 935[8]

Electricity pylon built of concrete

Yangtze River Crossing, Nanjing

China Nanjing 257 843

Clock towerNTT Docomo Yoyogi Building

Japan Tokyo 240 790

Electricity pylon of HVDC-powerline

Yangtze River Crossing, Wuhu

China Wuhu 229 751

MinaretHassan II Mosque

Morocco Casablanca 210 689

Wind turbineFuhrländer Wind Turbine Laasow

GermanyLaasow, Brandenburg

205 673



Cooling tower

Niederaussem Power Station

Germany Niederaussem 200 656

Monument Gateway Arch United StatesSt. Louis, Missouri

192 630

90° twisted building

Turning Torso Sweden Malmö 190 623

Masonry tower

Anaconda Smelter Stack

United StatesAnaconda, Montana

178.3 585

Inclined structure, Stadium

Le Stade Olympique

Canada Montreal 175 574

ObeliskSan Jacinto Monument

United StatesLa Porte, Texas

173.7 570

Church building

Chicago Temple Building

United States Chicago 173 568

Masonry building

Mole Antonelliana

Italy Torino 167 548

Masonry building

Philadelphia City Hall

United States Philadelphia 167 548

Ferris wheelSingapore Flyer

Singapore Singapore 165 541.3

Church tower Ulm Minster Germany Ulm 162 530

Industrial hallVehicle Assembly Building

United StatesKennedy Space Center

160 525

Memorial cross

Santa Cruz del Valle de los Caídos

Spain El Escorial 152.4 500

Roller coaster Kingda Ka United StatesJackson, New Jersey

138.98 456

TombGreat Pyramid of Giza

Egypt Giza, Cairo 138.8 455.2

DomeSt Peter's Basilica dome

Vatican CityVatican City, Rome

136.57 448.06

Air traffic control tower

Suvarnabhumi Airport control tower

Thailand Bangkok 132.2 433.7

Flagpole, free-standing

Ashgabat Flagpole

Turkmenistan Ashgabat 133 436.4[9]

Equilateral Baltimore



Pentagon World Trade Center

United States Baltimore 123.5 405

Statue (including pedestal)

Ushiku Daibutsu Bronze Buddha Statue

Japan Ushiku 120 394

Storage siloHenninger Turm

Germany Frankfurt 120 394

SculptureSpire of Dublin

Ireland Dublin 120 393

Light advertisement

Bayer Cross Leverkusen

Germany Leverkusen 118 387

Wooden structure

Gliwice Radio Tower

Poland Gliwice 118 387

Aerial tramway support tower

Pillar of third section of Gletscherbahn Kaprun

Austria Kaprun 113.6 373

Electricity pylon of powerline for single phase AC

Bremen-Industriehafen Weser Powerline Crossing

Germany Bremen 111 364

LighthouseYokohama Marine Tower

Japan Yokohama 106 324

SphereStockholm Globe Arena

Sweden Stockholm 85 279

Pre-modern Chinese pagoda

Liaodi Pagoda ChinaDing County, Hebei

84 275

Lantern Tower

Boston StumpUnited Kingdom

Boston, Lincolnshire

83.05 272

Statue (not including pedestal)

The Mamayev Monument

Russia Volgograd 82 269

Brick lighthouse

Torre della Lanterna

Italy Genoa 77 253

Brick minaret Qutub Minar India Delhi 72.5 237.8

Electricity pylon (concrete, prefabricated)

Pylon 310 of powerline Innertkirchen-Littau-Mettlen

Switzerland Littau 59.5 195



Tallest destroyed structures by category, not surpassed by existing structures

There are some destroyed architectural structures which were taller than the tallest existing structure of

their type.

Tallest building by function

Monolithic obelisk

Tuthmosis II Obelisk

ItalySan Giovanni in Laterano

36 118.1

Category Structure Country City Height (m)

Height (ft)

Remarks

Guyed mastWarsaw Radio Mast

Poland Gąbin 646.38 2,121completed in 1974, collapsed on August 8, 1991

Guyed tubular steel mast

Shushi-Wan Omega Transmitter

JapanShushi-Wan

389 1,276completed in 1973, dismantled in 1998

Structure for destructive scientific experiment

Smoky Shot Tower

United States

Nevada Test Site

213 700

Guyed mast, which carried 44 kt yield nuclear bomb "Smoky" ( part of operation Plumbbob) on top until its explosion on August 31st, 1957

Wooden structure

Mühlacker Wood Radio Tower

Germany Mühlacker 190 623

completed in 1934, destroyed on April 6, 1945, by the Germans to prevent usage by the Allies.

Masonry building

Mole Antonelliana

Italy Torino 167.5 549.5spire destroyed by a tornado in 1953.

Pre-Industrial Era building

Lincoln Cathedral

United Kingdom

Lincoln 160 524completed in 1311, spire blown off in 1549

Category Structure Country City

Architectural top

m ft

Mixed-Use* Burj Dubai**United Arab Emirates

Dubai 818 2,684

Office Taipei 101 Taiwan Taipei 509 1,671

Mixed-Use* (completed only)

John Hancock Center

United States Chicago 344 1,127

Hotel Rose Tower***United Arab Emirates

Dubai 333 1,093



* Mixed-Use is defined as having three of more RE uses (such as retail, office, hotel, etc.) that are

physically and functionally integrated in a single property and are mutually supporting.[10]

** As Burj Dubai is still under construction and not yet inhabitable, it currently does not serve a specific

function. Upon completion, it will serve as a mixed use building.

*** Although the Rose Tower is complete, it is not currently inhabited. Once the building's hotel opens

(target date of April 2008 was not met), the tower will become the world's tallest building used

exclusively as a hotel.

Tallest buildings

Up until 1998 the tallest building status was

essentially uncontested. Counting buildings as

structures with floors throughout, and with antenna

masts excluded, the Sears Tower in Chicago was

considered the tallest. When the Petronas Twin

Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia were built,

controversy arose because the spire extended nine

metres higher than the roof of the Sears Tower.

Excluding the spire, the Petronas Towers are not

taller than the Sears Tower. At their convention in

Chicago, the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban

Habitat (CTBUH) reduced the Sears Tower from

world's tallest and pronounced it not second tallest,

but third, and pronounced Petronas as world's tallest.

This action caused a considerable amount of

controversy, so CTBUH defined four categories in

which the world's tallest building can be measured:[11]

1. Height to the architectural top (including spires and pinnacles, but not antennas, masts or flagpoles). This measurement is the most widely utilized and is used to define the rankings of the 100 Tallest Buildings in the World.

2. Highest Occupied Floor 3. Height to Top of Roof 4. Height to Tip

Residential Q1 AustraliaGold Coast, Queensland

322.5 1,059

Hotel (in use only) Burj Al ArabUnited Arab Emirates

Dubai 321 1,053

EducationalMoscow State University

Russia Moscow 240 787

Hospital Guy's Hospital United Kingdom London 143 468

Library Shanghai Library China Shanghai 106 348

Comparison of top skyscrapers with measurements to top of antenna along to the oldest modern one,

the Eiffel Tower from 1889



The height is measured from the pavement level of

the main entrance. At the time, the Sears Tower held

first place in the second and third categories.

Petronas held the first category, and the original

World Trade Towers held the fourth. Within

months, however, a new antenna mast was placed on

the Sears Tower, giving it hold of the fourth

category. On April 20, 2004, the Taipei 101 in

Taipei, Taiwan, was completed. Its completion gave

it the world record for the first three categories. On

July 21, 2007 it was announced that Burj Dubai had

surpassed Taipei 101 in height, reaching 512 m

(1,680 ft) tall. Burj Dubai was topped-out in early

2009 but is not yet completed.

Today, Taipei 101 leads in the first category with 509 m (1,671 ft), but has been surpassed in the second

two categories by the Shanghai World Financial Center whose roof height is 492 m (1,614 ft) and whose

highest occupied floor is at 474 m (1,555 ft). Before either of these buildings were completed, the first

category was held by the Petronas Twin Towers with 452 m (1,483 ft), and before that by Sears Tower

with 442 m (1,451 ft). The second and third categories were held by the Sears Tower, with 412 m (1,351

ft) and 442 m (1,451 ft) respectively.

The Sears Tower still leads in the fourth category with 527 m (1,729 ft), previously held by the World

Trade Center until the extension of the Chicago tower's western broadcast antenna in 2000, over a year

prior to the Trade Center's destruction in 2001. Its antenna mast included, 1 World Trade Center

measured 526 m (1,727 ft). The World Trade Center became the world's tallest buildings to be destroyed

or demolished; indeed, its site entered the record books twice on September 11, 2001, in that category,

replacing the Singer Building, which once stood a block from the WTC site.

Structures such as the CN Tower, the Ostankino Tower and the Oriental Pearl Tower are excluded from

these categories because they are not "habitable buildings", which are defined as frame structures made

with floors and walls throughout.

History of record holders in each CTBUH category

Current skyscrapers compared with notable under construction skyscrapers

Date (Event) Architectural top

Highest occupied floor

Rooftop Antenna

2008: Shanghai World Financial Center completed

Taipei 101Shanghai World Financial Center

Shanghai World Financial Center

Sears Tower

2003: Taipei 101 completed

Taipei 101 Taipei 101 Taipei 101 Sears Tower

2000: Sears Tower antenna extension

Petronas Towers Sears Tower Sears Tower Sears Tower

1998: Petronas Towers completed

Petronas Towers Sears Tower Sears TowerWorld Trade Center



World's tallest freestanding structure on land

Freestanding structures include observation towers, monuments and other structures not generally

considered to be "Habitable buildings", but excludes supported structures such as guyed masts and

1996: CTBUH defines categories

Sears Tower Sears Tower Sears TowerWorld Trade Center

ocean drilling platforms. (See also history of tallest skyscrapers.)

The world's tallest freestanding structure on land is defined as the tallest self-supporting man-made

structure that stands above ground. This definition is different from that of world's tallest building or

world's tallest structure based on the percent of the structure that is occupied and whether or not it is

self-supporting or supported by exterior cables. Likewise, this definition does not count structures that

are built underground or on the seabed, such as the Petronius Platform in the Gulf of Mexico. Visit

world's tallest structure by category for a list of various other definitions.

As of 12 May 2008, the tallest freestanding structure on land is the still under construction Burj Dubai in

Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The building, which now stands at 636 m (2,090 ft), surpassed the height

of the previous record holder, the 553.3 m (1,815 ft) CN Tower in Toronto, Ontario, on September 12,

2007. It is scheduled to be completed in 2009, and was topped out at 818 m (2,684 ft) in January 2009.[2]

History

The following is a list of structures that have held the title as the tallest freestanding structure on land.

(See also Timeline of three tallest structures in the world until Empire State Building).

tallest historical structures

record from

record to Name and Location

Constructed Height (m)

Height (ft)

Notes

c. 2600 BC c. 2570 BCRed Pyramid of Sneferu, Egypt

c. 2600 BC 105 345

c. 2570 BC c. AD 1311Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt

c. 2570 BC 146 481

By AD 1439, the Great Pyramid had eroded to a height of approximately 139 m (455 ft).

1311 1549Lincoln Cathedral in England

1092–1311 160 525

The central spire was destroyed in a storm in 1549. While the reputed height of 525 ft (160 m) is doubted by A.F. Kendrick,[12] other sources [which?] agree on this height.

St. Olaf's Church in

The spire burnt down after a lightning strike in 1625



1549 1625Tallinn, Estonia 1438–1519 159 522

and was rebuilt several times. The current height is 123 m.

1625 1647

St. Mary's Church in Stralsund, Germany

1384–1478 151 495

The spire burnt down after a lightning strike in 1647. The current height is 104 m.

1647 1874Strasbourg Cathedral in France

1439 142 469

1874 1876St. Nikolai in Hamburg, Germany

1846–1874 147 483

1876 1880

Cathédrale Notre Dame in Rouen, France

1202–1876 151 495

1880 1884Cologne Cathedral in Germany

1248–1880 157 515

1884 1889

Washington Monument in Washington D.C., United States

1884 169 555

1889 1930Eiffel Tower in Paris, France

1889 300 986

First structure to exceed 300 metres in height. The addition of a telecommunications tower in the 1950s brought the overall height to 324 m.

1930 1931

Chrysler Building in New York, United States

1928–1930 319 1,046

1931 1967

Empire State Building in New York, United States

1930–1931 381 1,250

First building with 100+ stories. The addition of a pinnacle and antennas later increased its overall height to 1,472 ft/448.7 m.

1967 1975

Ostankino Tower in Moscow, Russia

1963–1967 537 1,762Remains the tallest in Europe. Fire in 2000 led to extensive renovation.

CN Tower in Remains the tallest in the



Notable mentions include the Pharos (lighthouse) of Alexandria,

built in the third century BC, and estimated between 115 to 135

m (383–440 ft). It was the world's tallest non-pyramidal building

for many centuries. Another notable mention includes the

Jetavanaramaya stupa in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, which was

built in the third century, and was similarly tall at 122 m (400 ft).

These were both the world's tallest or second tallest non-

pyramidal buildings for over a thousand years.

The tallest secular building between the collapse of the Pharos

and the erection of the Washington Monument may have been

the Torre del Mangia in Siena, which is 102 m tall, and was

constructed in the first half of the fourteenth century, and the 97

m tall Torre degli Asinelli in Bologna, also Italy, built between 1109 and 1119.

World's highest observation deck

Timeline of development of world's highest observation deck since inauguration of Eiffel Tower.

1975 2007Toronto, Canada

1973–1976 553 1,815Americas

2007 present

Burj Dubai in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

2004–2009 818 2,684

Current holder of world's tallest freestanding structure. Topped out at 818 m (2,684 ft).

Diagram of the Principal High Buildings of the Old World, 1884.

Held record Name and Location

Constructed

Height of highest

observation deck (m)

Height of highest

observation deck (ft)

Notes

From To

1889 1931Eiffel Tower, Paris, France

1889 275 902

Two further observation decks 57 and 115 metres

above ground.

1931 1973

Empire State Building, New York City, USA

1931 369[13] 1211

A second observation deck is located on the 86th floor at 320 metres

above ground.

1973 1976

World Trade Center, New York City, USA

1973 420 1378Destroyed during the September 11,

2001 attacks

1976 2008 CN Tower, Toronto,

1976 446.5 1398Two further

observation decks 342 and 346



Higher observation decks have existed on mountain peaks or cliffs, rather than on tall structures. For

example, the Royal Gorge Bridge in Cañon City, Colorado, USA, was constructed in 1929 spanning the

Royal Gorge at a height of 321 m (1095 ft.) above the Arkansas River.

Timeline of guyed structures on land

As most of the tallest structures are guyed masts and the absolute height record of architectural

structures on land is since 1954 kept by them, here is a timeline of world's tallest guyed masts, since the

beginning of radio technology.

As many large guyed masts were destroyed at the end of World War II, the dates for the years between

1945 and 1950 may be incorrect. If Wusung Radio Tower survived World War II, it was the tallest

guyed structure shortly after World War II.

Canada metres above ground.

2008 present

Shanghai World Financial Center, Shanghai, China

2008 474 1555

Other observation decks are 423 and 439 metres above

ground.

Held record Name and Location Constructed Height

(m) Height (ft)

Notes

From To

1913 1920Central mast of Eilvese transmitter, Eilvese, Germany

1913 250 820Mast was divided in

145 m by an insulator, demolished in 1931

1920 1923Central masts of Nauen Transmitter Station, Nauen, Germany

1920 260 8532 masts, demolished in

1946

1923 1933Masts of Ruiselede transmitter, Ruiselede, Belgium

1923 287 9428 masts, destroyed in

1940

1933 1939Lakihegy Tower, Lakihegy, Hungary

1933 314 1,031

Blaw-Knox Tower, insulated against

ground, destroyed in 1945, afterwards

rebuilt

1939 1945Deutschlandsender Herzberg/Elster, Herzberg (Elster), Germany

1939 335 1,099Insulated against

ground, dismantled in 1945

Blaw-Knox Tower Liblice, Demolished on

October 17, 1972 by



Tallest structures, freestanding structures, and buildings

1945 1946Liblice, Czech Republic

1936 280.4 920explosives. Replaced

in 1976 by 2 355 masts.

1946 1948Lakihegy Tower, Lakihegy, Hungary

1946 314 1,031

Blaw-Knox Tower, Insulated against

ground, rebuilt after destruction in 1945

1948 1949WIVB-TV Tower, Colden, New York, USA

1948 321.9 1,056

1949 1950Longwave transmitter Raszyn, Raszyn, Poland

1949 335 1,099Insulated against

ground

1950 1954Forestport Tower, Forestport, New York, USA

1950 371.25 1,218Insulated against

ground

1954 1959Griffin Television Tower Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA

1954 480.5 1,576

1956 1959KOBR-TV Tower, Caprock, New Mexico, USA

1956 490.7 1,610 Collapsed in 1960

1959 1960WGME TV Tower, Raymond, Maine, USA

1959 495 1,624

1960 1962KFVS TV Mast, Cape Girardeau County, Missouri, USA

1960 511.1 1,677

1962 1963WTVM/WRBL-TV & WVRK-FM Tower, Cusseta, Georgia, USA

1962 533 1,749Located in Cusseta,

Georgia

1963 1963WIMZ-FM-Tower, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA

1963 534.01 1,752

1963 1974KVLY-TV mast, Blanchard, North Dakota, USA

1963 628.8 2,063

1974 1991Warsaw Radio Mast, Gąbin, Poland

1974 646.4 2,121Mast radiator insulated

against ground, collapsed in 1991

1991 KVLY-TV mast, Blanchard, North Dakota, USA

1963 628.8 2,063

See also: Timeline of three tallest structures in the world



The list categories are:

� The structures (supported) list uses pinnacle height and includes architectural structures of any type that might use some external support constructions like cables and are fully built in air. Only the three tallest are listed, as more than fifty US TV masts have stated heights of 600-610m (1969-2000 ft).

� The structures (media supported) list uses pinnacle height and includes architectural structures of any type that are not totally built in the air but are using support from other, denser media like salt water. All structures greater than 500 m (1,640 ft) are listed.

� The freestanding structures list uses pinnacle height and includes structures over 400 m (1,312 ft) that do not use guy-wires or other external supports. This means truly free standing on its own or, in similar sense, non-supported structures.

� The building list uses architectural height (excluding antennas) and includes only buildings, defined as consisting of habitable floors. Both of these follow CTBUH guidelines. All supertall buildings (300 m and higher) are listed.

Notes:

� Seven buildings appear on the freestanding structures category list with different heights than of another category. This is due to the different measurement specifications of those lists.

� Only current heights and where reasonable target heights are listed. Historical heights of structures that e.g. did collapse are excluded.

Rank Name and location Year

completed Architectural top

[14] Floors

Structures (supported)

1KVLY-TV mast, Blanchard, North Dakota, United States

1963 629 m (2,064 ft) –

2KXJB-TV mast, Galesburg, North Dakota, United States

1998 628 m (2,060 ft) –

3KXTV/KOVR Tower, Walnut Grove, California, United States

2000 625 m (2,051 ft) –

Structures (media supported)

1 Petronius Platform, Gulf of Mexico 2000 610 m (2,001 ft) –

2 Baldpate Platform, Gulf of Mexico 1998 580 m (1,902.9 ft) –

3 Bullwinkle Platform, Gulf of Mexico 1989 529 m (1,736 ft) –

Freestanding structures

1Burj Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (under construction)

2009 818 m (2,684 ft) 160

2 CN Tower, Toronto, Ontario, Canada 1976 553 m (1,814 ft) –

3 Ostankino Tower, Moscow, Russia 1967 540 m (1,772 ft) –

4 Sears Tower, Chicago, United States 1974 527 m (1,729 ft) 108

5 Taipei 101, Taipei, Taiwan 2003 509 m (1,670 ft) 101



6Shanghai World Financial Center, Shanghai, People's Republic of China

2008 492 m (1,614 ft) 101

7Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai, People's Republic of China

1996 468 m (1,535 ft) –

8 John Hancock Center, Chicago, United States 1969 457 m (1,500 ft) 100

9= Petronas Tower I, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 1998 452 m (1,483 ft) 88

9= Petronas Tower II, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 1998 452 m (1,483 ft) 88

11Nanjing Greenland Financial Center, Nanjing, People's Republic of China

2009 450 m (1,476 ft) 89

12Empire State Building, New York City, United States

1931 449 (1,472 ft) 102

13 Milad Tower, Tehran, Iran 2007 435 m (1,427 ft) –

14Kuala Lumpur Tower, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

1995 421 m (1,381 ft) –

15Jin Mao Building, Shanghai, People's Republic of China

1998 421 m (1,381 ft) 88

16Chimney of GRES-2 Power Station, Ekibastuz, Kazakhstan

1987 420 m (1,378 ft) –

17Two International Finance Centre, Hong Kong

2003 415 m (1,362 ft) 88

18Tianjin Radio and Television Tower, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China

1991 415 m (1,362 ft) –

19Central TV Tower, Beijing, People’s Republic of China

1992 405 m (1,329 ft) –

Buildings

1 Taipei 101, Taipei, Taiwan 2003 509 m (1,670 ft) 101

2Shanghai World Financial Center, Shanghai, People's Republic of China

2008 492 m (1,614 ft) 101

3= Petronas Tower I, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 1998 452 m (1,483 ft) 88

3= Petronas Tower II, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 1998 452 m (1,483 ft) 88

5Nanjing Greenland Financial Center, Nanjing, People's Republic of China

2009 450 m (1,476 ft) 89

6 Sears Tower, Chicago, United States 1974 442 m (1,450 ft) 108

7Jin Mao Building, Shanghai, People's Republic of China

1998 421 m (1,381 ft) 88

8Two International Finance Centre, Hong Kong

2003 415 m (1,362 ft) 88

9CITIC Plaza, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China

1997 391 m (1,283 ft) 80

10 Shun Hing Square, Shenzhen, People's 1996 384 m (1,260 ft) 69



Republic of China

11Empire State Building, New York, United States

1931 381 m (1,250 ft) 102

12 Central Plaza, Hong Kong 1992 374 m (1,227 ft) 78

13 Bank of China Tower, Hong Kong 1990 367 m (1,204 ft) 70

14Bank of America Tower, New York, United States

2008 366 m (1,201 ft) 54

15 Almas Tower, Dubai, United Arab Emirates 2008 360 m (1,181 ft) 74

16Emirates Office Tower, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

2000 355 m (1,165 ft) 54

17 Tuntex Sky Tower, Kaohsiung, Taiwan 1997 348 m (1,142 ft) 85

18 Aon Center, Chicago, United States 1973 346 m (1,135 ft) 83

19 The Center, Hong Kong 1998 346 m (1,135 ft) 73

20 John Hancock Center, Chicago, United States 1969 344 m (1,129 ft) 100

21= Rose Tower, Dubai, United Arab Emirates 2007 333 m (1,093 ft) 72

21=Shimao International Plaza, Shanghai, People's Republic of China

2006 333 m (1,093 ft) 60

23Minsheng Bank Building, Wuhan, People's Republic of China

2007 331 m (1,086 ft) 68

24=Ryugyong Hotel, Pyongyang, North Korea (topped out)

1992 330 m (1,083 ft) 105

24=China World Trade Center Tower 3, Beijing, People's Republic of China

2008 330 m (1,083 ft) 74

26 Q1 Tower, Gold Coast City, Australia 2005 323 m (1,060 ft) 78

27 Burj Al Arab, Dubai, United Arab Emirates 1999 321 m (1,053 ft) 60

28= Chrysler Building, New York, United States 1930 319 m (1,047 ft) 77

28= Nina Tower I, Hong Kong 2007 319 m (1,047 ft) 80

28=New York Times Building, New York, United States

2007 319 m (1,047 ft) 52

31Bank of America Plaza, Atlanta, United States

1992 312 m (1,024 ft) 55

32 U.S. Bank Tower, Los Angeles, United States 1989 310 m (1,017 ft) 73

33 Menara Telekom, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 2001 310 m (1,017 ft) 55

34Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

2000 309 m (1,014 ft) 56

35 One Island East, Hong Kong 2008 308 m (1,010 ft) 70

36AT&T Corporate Center, Chicago, United States

1989 307 m (1,007 ft) 60

The Address Downtown Burj Dubai, Dubai,



Source: Emporis

Under construction

Numerous supertall skyscrapers are in various stages of proposal, planning, or construction. Each of the

following are under construction and, depending on the order of completion, could become the world's

tallest building or structure in at least one category:

� Burj Dubai , under construction in Dubai, UAE, is topped-out at 818 m (2,684 ft) with 160 floors. It is currently taller than the CN Tower, the tallest completed freestanding structure. It became the tallest manmade structure of any kind in history when it passed the Warsaw radio mast in September 2008. Construction began in September 2004 and completion is expected in September 2009.

� The Pentominium, under construction in Dubai, is expected to be 618 m (2,028 ft) tall and have 120 floors. If completed, it will be the tallest all-residential building in the world. Construction began in 2007 and completion is expected in 2011.

� The Russia Tower, under construction in Moscow's International Business Centre, is expected to be 612.2 m (2,009 ft) tall and have 118 floors. If completed, it will surpass the below mentioned Federation Tower East as the tallest building in Europe. Construction began in September 2007 and completion is expected in 2012.

� Incheon Tower is a 151-floor, 610 metres (2,000 ft) tower in Incheon, South Korea. It is estimated to be completed in 2012.

� The Guangzhou TV & Sightseeing Tower, under construction in Guangzhou, China, is expected to be 610.0 m (2,001 ft) tall. If completed, it will be tallest concrete tower. Construction began in November 2005 and completion is expected in 2009.

� The Chicago Spire (formerly Fordham Spire), under construction in Chicago, is expected to be 609.6 m (2,000 ft) and have 150 floors. If completed, it would surpass the CN Tower as the tallest

freestanding building in North America[15], and would be the second tallest all-residential building in the world (behind the aforementionned Pentominium). Construction began in June

2007 and completion is expected in early 2012.[16]

� The Jakarta Tower (Menara Jakarta) is currently on-hold in Jakarta, Indonesia. It is expected to be 558 m (1,831 ft) tall up to the antenna, thus may be tallest concrete tower. It is expected to be completed in 2011.

� The Federation Tower East, under construction in Moscow's International Business Centre, is

37 United Arab Emirates 2008 306 m (1,004 ft) 63

38JPMorgan Chase Tower, Houston, United States

1982 305 m (1,001 ft) 75

39 Baiyoke Tower II, Bangkok, Thailand 1997 304 m (997 ft) 85

40 Two Prudential Plaza, Chicago, United States 1990 303 m (994 ft) 64



expected to be 506 m (1,660 ft) tall (to the tip of the spire) and have 93 floors. If completed, it will surpass the aforementionned Mercury City Tower as the tallest building in Europe. Construction began in 2003 and completion is expected in 2009.

� The Tokyo Sky Tree under construction in Tokyo's Sumida district, is expected to be 610.6m (2,003 ft) tall. It will be a broadcasting tower to replace the old Tokyo Tower. Construction began in 2008 and completion is expected in 2011, with public access in the spring of 2012.

Proposed

Many proposed structures have never been built, as yet, and many will probably never be built. See

proposed tall buildings and structures for structures that have or are being proposed.



Documents

World's Tallest Structures