Top 10 Tallest Buildings in the World Today

The Ping An International Finance Centre (also known as Ping An IFC) is a 115-story skyscraper located in Shenzhen, Guangdong. The building was commissioned by Ping An Insurance and designed by the American architectural firm Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates. Completed in 2017, it became the fourth tallest building in the world.

The Ping An IFC is situated in the Futian Central Business District of Shenzhen. Its 18,931 square meters of space were acquired by Ping An Group through an auction for 1.6568 billion yuan on November 6, 2007. Design work began in 2008, with Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates handling architectural design and Thornton Tomasetti providing structural design. The building's foundation stone was laid on August 29, 2009, and construction began in November of the same year, with the first Chinese construction group hired as the general contractor.

The Ping An IFC reached its current height on April 30, 2015, becoming China's second tallest skyscraper at 599 meters. Originally, a 60-meter antenna was planned for the top of the tower to surpass the Shanghai Tower and become the tallest building in China, but the idea was abandoned in February 2015 due to concerns that it could obstruct flight paths. The building is equipped with 33 two-story elevators, with speeds reaching up to 10 m/s.

The Ping An IFC houses office spaces, a hotel, retail spaces, a conference center, and a luxury shopping mall. As its name suggests, it is also the headquarters of Ping An Insurance. Its design is intended to be unique and elegant, representing the history and achievements of its primary tenant. The building's stainless steel façade weighs approximately 1,700 tons and gives it a modern look.

Height: 598 meters

Floors: 115

Location: Shenzhen, China

Completion: 2017

Goldin Finance 117 is the tallest building in Tianjin, China. With a height of 596 meters and 117 floors, it is expected to become the tallest skyscraper in Tianjin upon completion, and the fifth tallest building in the world. This iconic skyscraper is also known as the highest flat-roofed building in the world, standing among the tallest structures globally.

Construction of the building began in 2008, with completion expected in 2022. The top of the Goldin Finance 117 features a luxurious hotel, while the lower levels house residential and office spaces. The tower was designed by P&T Group, with Arup responsible for the structural, geotechnical, wind, and façade engineering. The skyscraper is a key part of the Goldin Metropolitan development project, which is Tianjin's largest urban development, incorporating villas, residential areas, office spaces, hotels, shopping malls, conference centers, entertainment facilities, and green spaces.

Located at the northwest intersection of South-North Haitai Street and the Jinjing Highway, the Goldin Finance 117 is positioned at the heart of the Goldin Metropolitan development, which will include luxury housing, entertainment venues, and international polo fields. Nearby, three additional towers, each over 200 meters in height, will also be constructed, including a sister tower to the Goldin Finance 117 at 200 meters, and two twin towers standing at 223 meters. In the sunlight, the Goldin Finance 117 resembles a sleek pole topped with a sparkling diamond. The diamond houses the luxury hotel, complete with a swimming pool and dining spaces offering stunning city views.

Height: 596 meters

Floors: 128

Location: Tianjin, China

Expected Completion: 2022

Lotte World Tower (Hangul: 롯데월드 타워), previously known as Lotte World Premium Tower, is a 123-story supertall skyscraper with a height of 556 meters (1,824 ft), completed as part of the second phase of the Lotte World complex in Seoul, South Korea. Originally slated for completion in 2015, it was designed to surpass the One World Trade Center in New York and feature the world’s highest observation deck at the 123rd floor, reaching 497.6 meters (1,633 ft).

After 13 years of planning and preparation, the construction officially began in November 2010, with the groundbreaking ceremony held in March 2011. The tower’s design is inspired by a gently curved cone shape, with a sleek, light-colored glass exterior featuring metallic accents. Located near the Han River, the tower houses a mix of retail stores (floors 1-6), offices (7-60), apartments (61-85), luxury hotels (86-119), and public spaces (120-123), including the observation deck.

At nearly half a kilometer tall, visitors from the tower’s summit can enjoy stunning views of Seoul’s sprawling urban landscape as well as the distant mountains. To bring the world’s leading elevator system to life, Lotte partnered with Otis Elevator Company to create the Sky Shuttle lift system, featuring two cabins that can simultaneously serve different floors, allowing hundreds of passengers to ascend to the top. According to Lotte Group’s Wonsuk Choi, the two-story elevator system was chosen to accommodate the large volume of visitors to the observation deck. The elevator’s design includes 15 OLED screens that provide a panoramic view of Seoul during the 60-second ascent.

Height: 554 meters

Floors: 123

Location: Seoul, South Korea

Completion: 2017

One World Trade Center, also known as the Freedom Tower, is the main building of the new World Trade Center complex located on the site of the former WTC. Construction began on April 27, 2006, and on March 30, 2009, the city announced that the building would officially be named "One World Trade Center", replacing its original name "Freedom Tower".

Once completed, One World Trade Center became the tallest building in the United States, standing at a height of 1,776 feet (541.32 meters), and is one of the tallest buildings in the world. Its design emerged after a controversial competition between architect Daniel Libeskind, who won the design contest, and Larry Silverstein, the leaseholder of the land. In the original design, a spire was planned to be installed atop the building, but it was replaced by an antenna in 2012.

The architecture of One World Trade Center stands at 541 meters (1,776 feet), with the roof reaching 417 meters (1,368 feet). According to the CTBUH, the architectural height of the building is 541 meters, while its height without the antenna measures 417 meters. At the time of completion, it was the tallest building in New York City, the U.S., and the entire Western Hemisphere. However, in terms of roof height, it ranks third in New York City and fourth in the U.S., after the Willis Tower in Chicago, the Central Park Tower, and 432 Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan.

Height: 541 meters

Floors: 94

Location: New York City, USA

Completion: 2014

CTF Finance Centre Guangzhou, also known as the East Tower, is a mixed-use skyscraper standing at 1,739 feet (530 meters) in height, located in Guangzhou, Guangdong. Completed in October 2016, it is the tallest completed building in Guangzhou and the eighth tallest building in the world.

The CTF Finance Centre Guangzhou has a total of 111 floors above ground and 5 below, housing a shopping mall, offices, apartments, and a luxury hotel. The tower offers a total floor area of 5.46 million square feet (507,681 m²). Positioned along Zhujiang East Road in the Zhujiang New Town commercial district, it occupies a plot of 290,000 m² (27,000 m²). The skyscraper is part of the eastern axis of the city and features an underground shopping center with direct access to public transportation.

The CTF Finance Centre Guangzhou is one of two towers in the Guangzhou Twin Towers project. The other tower, located on the opposite side of the axis, stands at 1,439 feet (439 meters) and is known as the 'West Tower'. Both towers share similar heights, sizes, and functions, and are in close proximity to the 1,982-foot (604-meter) Canton Tower. The CTF Finance Centre Guangzhou is owned by Chow Tai Fook Enterprises and features one of the fastest elevators in the world, capable of reaching speeds of up to 20 m/s.

Height: 530 meters

Floors: 111

Location: Guangzhou, China

Completion: 2016

Tianjin CTF Finance Centre is a multi-functional skyscraper located in Tianjin, China. Standing at a height of 530 meters with 97 floors, it is currently the 8th tallest building in the world. Designed by the Chicago-based firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), this tower aims to achieve LEED certification. The smooth, curved exterior optimizes daylight exposure while minimizing wind impact on the structure. It is expected to be completed in 2019.

Brian Lee, who spent 28 years at SOM’s San Francisco office before joining the Chicago branch in 2007, has designed landmark structures around the globe, including projects in East Asia, Southeast Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. His award-winning skyscraper designs include the China World Trade Center, Beijing Central Business District, Poly International Plaza in Guangzhou, and the 530-meter Tianjin CTF Finance Centre. Upon completion in 2019, the Tianjin CTF will feature the fastest elevators in the world.

The addition of the Tianjin CTF Finance Centre is expected to play a key role in shaping the region’s thriving, smart, and livable environment for both businesses and residents. The tower's unique architectural design features non-traditional floor plans and curving lines. Eight undulating curves at each corner of the tower converge at the top to create a crown-like form. As the building tapers upwards, the curving lines create a wave-like shape. Moving upward from the base, the tower’s floor plates transition from square to circular, with its stunning façade composed of thousands of glass panels that sparkle in the sunlight.

Height: 530 meters

Floors: 97

Location: Tianjin, China

Completion: 2019

China Zun, located in Beijing, was completed in 2018. At the time of completion, it became the 8th tallest building in the world with a total height of 1,667 feet. The building serves as the centerpiece of Beijing’s Central Business District. Developed by CITIC Group, it is also known as the CITIC Tower.

The China Zun is the last supertall tower approved for construction before Beijing imposed height restrictions on new buildings. Located in the newly expanded central business district, the tower was designed by architectural firm Farrells. The majority of the building is dedicated to office space, but it also features private clubs, observation decks, and rental spaces at the top. It is set to become the tallest building in China, as well as the tallest in the region known for seismic activity. A reinforced concrete core ensures the building’s stability. The tower was expected to be completed by 2018.

The design of CITIC Tower draws inspiration from the traditional Chinese “zun,” a ceremonial vessel dating back to the Bronze Age. The lobby’s upward curving design contrasts with the outward curving façade, creating an impressive visual experience for passersby. The tower’s façade is adorned with custom-made aluminum ribs, which follow its curved form, lending an elegant touch to the building. Situated at the northern end of Beijing’s CBD, the tower forms an iconic backdrop for the surrounding park and has quickly become a prominent landmark for visitors. The building is also connected to an extensive underground transport network, linking pedestrian pathways, B2-level roads, and four subway lines through three stations.

Height: 528 meters
Floors: 108
Location: Beijing, China
Completion: 2018

Known as the "Tallest Building in Dubai", the Burj Khalifa stands as a symbol of wealth, achievement, and luxury in the heart of this opulent Arabian city. Soaring to a height of 828 meters and comprising 163 floors, this spiral-shaped Y-design tower remains the tallest skyscraper in the world. The structure consists of three interconnected wings, arranged around a central core. Its architecture combines traditional Islamic designs with modern elements, enabling it to endure the harsh desert climate of Dubai.

The interior of the world's tallest building houses 304 hotel rooms and 904 residential apartments, along with nearly 3,000 parking spaces and 58 high-speed elevators traveling at an impressive 10 meters per second. The Burj Khalifa stands three times the height of the Eiffel Tower and nearly twice as tall as the Empire State Building. One of its most impressive features is its penetration through the clouds. The total amount of aluminum used in the Burj Khalifa equals the weight of five Airbus A380s.

In addition to holding the title of the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa also holds six other world records. It is the tallest freestanding structure on Earth, with the most floors in any building, the highest occupied floor, the highest outdoor observation deck, the longest travel distance in a single elevator, and the highest service elevator. The Burj Khalifa elevator travels the longest single journey, covering 140 floors, at a speed of 10 meters per second. A ride to the 124th-floor observation deck takes just one minute.

Height: 828 meters

Floors: 163

Location: Dubai, UAE

Completion: 2010

The Shanghai Tower, also known as the Shanghai World Financial Center, is a supertall skyscraper located in the Lujiazui area of the Pudong district in Shanghai. Designed by Gensler, it stands as the tallest among three major towers in the area, including the Jin Mao Tower and the Shanghai World Financial Center. Its immense height makes it easily visible from the Bund and other locations around the city.

At 632 meters tall with 128 floors, the Shanghai Tower ranks as the second tallest building in the world. Its unique twisting design minimizes wind load, making it both an architectural and engineering marvel. Construction of the tower took seven years, from 2008 to 2015, and cost a staggering $2.4 billion. In addition to its impressive height, the tower holds records for having the fastest elevators in the world and the highest restaurant.

Located in Shanghai’s financial district, the Shanghai Tower is a symbol of China’s green future. The tower is so tall that the peak is often hidden in the clouds on overcast days. While Dubai’s Burj Khalifa may be the tallest building globally, the Shanghai Tower is the highest when measured to its usable floors. The top floor of the Burj Khalifa is at 584.5 meters, while the Shanghai Tower's top floor is at 587.4 meters. For skyscraper enthusiasts and those seeking breathtaking views, the observation deck on the 121st floor of the Shanghai Tower is a must-visit. At 561.3 meters, it boasts the highest observation deck in the world, offering a stunning view of Lujiazui and the Huangpu River.

Height: 632 meters

Floors: 128

Location: Shanghai, China

Completion: 2015

The Makkah Royal Clock Tower Hotel is a government-owned hotel located in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, near the Masjid al Haram. This remarkable structure, also known as the Abraj Al-Bait Towers, is a mixed-use complex that includes residential spaces, hotels, and commercial areas. The tower is home to one of the world's largest clocks, with a face measuring 43 by 43 meters, making it a key landmark in the city.

Construction of this monumental complex began in 2004 and was completed in 2012. The building is part of a seven-tower complex and includes luxury residences, visitor accommodations, a grand conference center, and a massive prayer hall capable of hosting up to 10,000 worshippers. The clock's lights, including 21,000 green and white flashing lights, signal prayer times five times a day, with 16 large lights at the top visible from up to 10 kilometers away.

Standing at 601 meters tall, the Makkah Royal Clock Tower Hotel ranks as the third tallest building in the world. It is part of the King Abdulaziz Endowment Project, which aims to modernize Mecca and provide world-class facilities for the growing number of visitors and residents. The tower was developed by the Saudi Binladin Group, and the architectural design was awarded to Dar Al-Handasah in 2001.

Height: 601 meters

Floors: 120

Location: Mecca, Saudi Arabia

Completion: 2012