Top 10 Tallest Buildings in the World

Mankind has achieved huge success over the years in every field may it be Technology, Science, Art, and Construction. High Rise buildings and skyscrapers have now become the symbol of urbanization. With the advancement of technology and engineering, new boundaries were created and broken many times.

The construction of tall buildings first started in the United States of America(USA) about a century ago and they lead the charts for the tallest building for a long time. However, with the growth of China and the Middle Eastern countries, the crown has been taken by these countries, for the tallest building for the past two decades.

The domination of China is visible in this field when we take a look at the ten tallest buildings in the world. As half of the list contains buildings that are located in China. Now we are going to take a look at the top 10 tallest buildings in the world as of 2023 with a bit of detail one needs to know.

1. Burj Khalifa

The tallest building in the world is Burj Khalifa which is located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates(UAE). The construction of the building started in 2004 and by 2009 the structural work was completed, on January 4, 2010, the building was fully completed and opened. The building is 828 meters high and has 163 floors in it. And, 829.8 m or 2,722 ft up to the tip.

The chief architect of the Burj Khalifa is Adrian Smith. Skidmore, Owings & Merrill was the main architectural firm, and Samsung C&T was the main contractor for the project. The cost of the Burj Khalifa is about US$ 1.5 billion and is owned by the Emaar properties. As it is the tallest building in the world, it attracts a huge number of tourists every year as well. The thing that has made it even more popular all over the world is the light show of the building.

➡ Height: 828 m or 2,716 ft.

➡ Built: Started – 2004, Opened – 4 January 2010.

➡ Cost: 1.5 billion US dollars.

2. Merdeka 118

Merdeka 118 has now officially become the second tallest building in the world. It has topped out very recently. The building has also become the tallest in Southeast Asia as well. Merdeka PNB 118 and Merdeka Tower are the alternate names of the building. Merdeka 118 is located in Jalan Hang Jebat, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The construction of the building started on July 3, 2014, and is estimated to open before the end of 2022.

The building is set to be mixed-used with a shopping complex, office, hotels, residential apartments, and an observation deck. The height of the Merdeka 118 is 678.9 meters or 2,227 feet with a total of 118 floors above the ground and 5 more below the ground level. There are two observation decks in the building – one at a height of 515.3 meters and the other which is in a spire at 566 meters.

The building is designed in Neo-futurism and Malay traditional songket pattern by architect Fender Katsalidis in association with RSP KL. The structural engineer and the main contractor of the Merdeka 118 are “Leslie E. Robertson Associates, and Robert Bird Group in association with Arup” and “Samsung C&T, and UEM Group” respectively.

PNB Merdeka Ventures Sdn Bhd is the developer as well as the owner of the building. According to an estimate, the cost of the building is US$ 1.5 billion. Merdeka 118 is the first building from Malaysia to receive a triple-platinum rating from the worldwide sustainability certification. Among the three certifications, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is one.

➡ Height: 678.9 m or 2,227 feet.

➡ Built: Started – 3 July 2014, Completed – 2022(Expected).

➡ Cost: 1.5 billion US dollars.

3. Shanghai Tower

The world’s third tallest building and the tallest building in China, Shanghai Tower is located in Pudong, Shanghai. The building’s construction was started on 21 November 2008 and completed on 2 September 2014. Eventually, the building was opened on 2 February 2015.

Moreover, it shares the record for the highest observations deck in the world. The building is used for multiple purposes. The height of the building is 632 meters with 128 floors and 3 floors below the ground level.

The estimated cost of the Shanghai Tower is CN¥15.7 billion, or 2.36 billion US dollars. The owner of the tower is Shanghai Tower Construction and Development. The stunning building was designed by Marshall Strabala and Jun Xia and constructed by Shanghai Construction Group.

➡ Height: 632 m or 2073 ft.

➡ Built: Started – 21 November 2008, Opened – 2 February 2015.

➡ Cost: 2.36 billion US dollars(CN¥15.7 billion).

4. Abraj Al Bait

The holy city of Mecca is the home to the fourth tallest building in the world. Abraj Al-Bait is a group of 7 tall buildings. The tallest building is known as Makkah Clock Royal Tower and has the world’s biggest clock. The construction of the building started in 2004 and in 2012, it was completed and opened. It is also the tallest building in Saudi Arabia.

The tower is 601 meters high with 120 floors and has an observation deck of 484.4 meters. It is used both as a hotel and as a residential complex. The estimated value of the building is US$15 billion. The main architects of this masterpiece are SL Rasch GmbH and Dar Al-Handasah Architects, and the main contractor is the Saudi Binladin Group.

➡ Height: 601 m or 1972 ft.

➡ Built: Started – 2004, Opened – 2012.

➡ Cost: 15 billion US dollars.

5. Ping An International Finance Centre

The fifth-tallest building in the world is the Ping An International Finance Centre. It is located in Shenzhen, Guangdong, China. The construction work of the building began in 2010 and on 28 March 2017, it was completed. The building is 599.1 meters high and has 115 floors with 5 underground floors as well.

Ping An International Finance Centre shares the record of the highest observatory in the world along with Shanghai Tower. According to an estimate, the cost of the building is about US$ 1.5 billion.

American architecture firm “Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates” is responsible for the design of this massive structure. The main developer of the building was done by Ping An Life Insurance Company of China. While the main contractor of the building is the “China Construction First Building Group”.

➡ Height: 599.1 m or 1965 ft up to the tip.

➡ Built: Started – 2010, Completed – 28 March, 2017.

➡ Cost: 1.5 billion US dollars.

6. Lotte World Tower

Lotte World Tower acquires the sixth spot on the list of tallest buildings in the world. The building is located in Sincheon-dong, Songpa District, Seoul, South Korea. It is the tallest building in South Korea with a total height of 555.7 meters or 1,823 feet.

The building’s construction started on 22 January 2010, and on 22 December 2016, the work was completed. However, on April 3, 2017, it was opened. The building is used as an office, hotel, and residential place. The tower has 123 floors above ground level and 6 more below ground level.

The building is owned by Lotte Group with an estimated cost of $2.5 billion. The main designer of the Lotte World Tower is Kohn Pedersen Fox firm which was developed by Lotte Engineering and Construction.

➡ Height: 555.7 m or 1,823 ft up to the tip.

➡ Built: Started – 22 January 2010, Opened – 3 April 2017.

➡ Cost: 2.5 billion US dollars.

7. One World Trade Center

The seventh tallest building in the world is One World Trade Center. It is also the tallest building in the USA and the western hemisphere. The building is built on the historical site of the World Trade Center which was destroyed in the terrorist attack of 9,11. The building is located in Lower Manhattan, New York, USA.

The construction work of the building began on 27 April 2007 and opened on 29 May 2014. According to estimates, the cost of the building is US$ 3.9 billion. The height of the building is 541.3 meters and 546.2 meters up to the tip. It has a total of 94 floors above the ground level and 5 underground floors.

One World Trade Center is used for office communication and has an observation deck at 386.5 meters. The main architect of the building is David Childs and it was developed by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The main contractors of the building were Tishman Construction. The building was also known as Freedom Tower.

➡ Height: 541.3 m or 1,776 ft

➡ Built: Started – 27 April 2007, Opened – 29 May 2014.

➡ Cost: 3.9 billion US dollars.

8. Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre

The Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre is the eighth tallest building in the world and the third tallest building in China. It is also known as the “East Tower”. It is located in Zhujiang New Town, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.

The work of the construction of the building began on 29 September 2009 and was opened in October 2016. It is used for multiple purposes like shopping malls, hotels, offices, and residences. The building is 530 meters high with 111 floors above the ground level and 5 below the ground level.

The owners of the tower are Chow Tai Fook Enterprise. The building was designed by the Kohn Pedersen Fox firm and developed by New World Development. The main contractor for the tower was China State Construction Engineering.

➡ Height: 530 m or 1,739 ft

➡ Built: Started – 29 September 2009, Opened – October 2016.

➡ Cost: 1.5 billion US dollars.

9. Tianjin CTF Finance Centre

At ninth, we have Tianjin CTF Finance Centre. Its height is the same as Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre at 530 meters. It has a unique record of being the tallest tower with less than 100 floors. There are 97 floors in this building. The building is located in Binhai New Area, Tianjin, China.

The construction of the building began on November 20, 2009, and was completed finally in 2019. Tianjin CTF Finance Centre is owned by Tianjin New World Huan Bo Hai Real Estate Development Co. Ltd. The building is used for hotels, apartments, and offices.

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP in collaboration with Ronald Lu & Partners are the ones responsible for the design of this building. It was developed by New World Development and the main contractor of the building was China Construction 8th Engineering division.

➡ Height: 530 m or 1,739 ft

➡ Built: Started – 20 November 2009, Completed – 2019.

➡ Cost: 1.2 billion US dollars.

10. China Zun

China Zun is another skyscraper from China, it is the tenth tallest building in the world. Located in Chaoyang District, Beijing, China. It is also known as CITIC Tower. The height of the building is 527.7 meters and there are 109 floors with 8 underground floors.

The estimated value of the building is US$ 3.35 billion. The building is used for offices, apartments, and hotels. The architects who designed this building are TFP Farrells, KPF, BIAD and the main developer of the building is CITIC Real Estate.

➡ Height: 527.7 m or 1,731 ft

➡ Built: Started – 19 September 2011, Completed – 2018.

➡ Cost: 3.35 billion US dollars.

11. Taipei 101

The former tallest building in the world Taipei 101 is now the eleventh tallest building in the world. Until 2009, it was the tallest building in the world before being overtaken by the Burj Khalifa. Located in Xinyi Road, Xinyi District, Taipei, Taiwan, it is 508.2 meters high with 101 floors.

The construction of the building started on 31 July 1999 and was completed on 31 December 2004. The building costs about US$ 1.985 and is owned by the Taipei Financial Centre Corporation. The tower was designed by C.Y. Lee and C.P. Wang. The main contractor of the Taipei 101 was the KTRT Joint Venture consisting of Kumagai Gumi, Taiwan Kumagai, RSEA, Ta-Yo-Wei, Samsung C&T.

➡ Height: 508.2 m or 1,667 ft

➡ Built: Started – 31 July 1999, Completed – 31 December 2004.

➡ Cost: 1.98 billion US dollars.

12. Shanghai World Financial Center

Shanghai World Financial Center is the twelfth tallest building in the world. It is located on Century Avenue, Pudong, Shanghai. The construction of the building started on 27 August 1997 and was completed in 2008 making it the second tallest building of that time.

It is 492 meters high with 101 floors and 3 floors below the ground level. The cost of the building is US$ 1.20 billion and is owned by Shanghai World Financial Center Co. Ltd. The architect of the building is Kohn Pedersen Fox, and the developer was Mori Building Co.

➡ Height: 492 m or 1,614 ft

➡ Built: Started – 27 August 1997, Completed – 2008.

➡ Cost: 1.2 billion US dollars.

13. International Commerce Centre

International Commerce Centre is the tallest building in Hong Kong and the thirteenth tallest building in the world. It is located at 1 Austin Road West, West Kowloon, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong. The height of the building is 484 meters or 1,588 ft and has a total of 108 floors with a further 4 floors below the ground.

The construction of the building started in 2002 and was opened in 2010. The building is used as hotel and commercial offices and is managed by Kai Shing Management Services Limited. The main architects of the building were Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates, Belt Collins & Associates, Wong & Ouyang (HK) Ltd.

The main developers of the building were Sun Hung Kai Properties and the main contractor of the building was Sanfield Building Contractors Limited.

➡ Height: 484 m or 1,588 ft

➡ Built: Started – 2002, Completed – 2010.

➡ Cost: 3.8 billion US dollars.

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