The 10 Tallest Buildings in the World: Architectural Marvels Revealed
Discover the ten tallest buildings in the world according to official CTBUH data, from the record-breaking Burj Khalifa to architectural marvels across Asia.
Ever wondered which architectural giants actually dominate the skyline of our planet, beyond the famous Burj Khalifa? We examined the Skyscraper Center database of the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) to compile the ultimate list of the ten tallest buildings in the world.
1. Burj Khalifa
Height: 828 meters
Completed: 2009
Floors: 163
Rising in Dubai at a cost of over one billion dollars, this colossal tower features offices, residences, and a hotel. Designed by Adrian Smith of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, it has held the crown longer than any other skyscraper in modern history. Taipei 101, which held the title just before it, has now slipped out of the top ten entirely.
2. Merdeka 118
Height: 679 meters
Completed: 2023
Floors: 118
Located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia's Independence Tower primarily houses the offices of Maybank. Its faceted geometry, designed by Fender Katsalidis and RSP, is said to evoke the raised hand gesture of Malaysia's first prime minister during the declaration of independence.
3. Shanghai Tower
Height: 632 meters
Completed: 2014
Floors: 128
As China's tallest building, this twisting marvel ranks second in the world for total floor count. Designed by Marshall Strabala and Jun Xia, its spiral facade reduces wind loads significantly while offering breathtaking panoramic views over the sprawling metropolis.
4. Makkah Royal Clock Tower
Height: 601 meters
Completed: 2012
Floors: 120
Dominating the skyline of Mecca, this massive Saudi complex includes a luxury hotel, shopping malls, and prayer halls. Its colossal clock face spans 43 meters across, making it the largest architectural clock surface in the world.
5. Ping An Finance Centre
Height: 599 meters
Completed: 2017
Floors: 115
Situated in Shenzhen, this sleek tower was developed by the Ping An Insurance company. Its top floor features a completely open-air observation deck that delivers vertiginous 360-degree views of the surrounding financial district.
6. Lotte World Tower
Height: 555 meters
Completed: 2017
Floors: 123
Seoul's premier skyscraper blends luxury residential spaces, a hotel, and retail zones. Designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox, its slender tapered profile was inspired by traditional Korean ceramics and calligraphy.
7. One World Trade Center
Height: 541 meters (1,776 feet)
Completed: 2014
Floors: 94
Serving as a poignant memorial and the centerpiece of the rebuilt World Trade Center complex in New York, this tower is the sole representative of the Western Hemisphere in the global top ten, defying the traditional assumption that skyscrapers are exclusively an American phenomenon.
8. Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre
Height: 530 meters
Completed: 2016
Floors: 111
Another masterpiece by Kohn Pedersen Fox located in China, this mixed-use skyscraper features terracotta mullions and a smooth aerodynamic profile designed to handle high wind pressures.
9. Tianjin CTF Finance Centre
Height: 530 meters
Completed: 2019
Floors: 97
Tied in height with its Guangzhou counterpart, the Tianjin tower features a uniquely curved undulating glass facade that minimizes structural wind loads while maximizing interior spatial efficiency.
10. CITIC Tower
Height: 528 meters
Completed: 2018
Floors: 109
Affectionately known as the China Zun due to its resemblance to an ancient ritual wine vessel, Beijing's tallest skyscraper was designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox in collaboration with Farrells, rounding out the global elite of vertical architecture.