The world's first skyscraper was built in Chicago in 1885. Since then, the United States has been home to some of the world's tallest skyscrapers. New York City, and especially the borough of Manhattan, has the tallest skyline in the country. Eleven American buildings have held the title of tallest building in the world.[1] New York City and Chicago have been the centers of American skyscraper building. The 10-story Home Insurance Building, built in Chicago in 1885, is regarded as the world's first skyscraper; the building was constructed using a novel steel-loadbearing frame which became a standard of the industry worldwide.[2]
Since its topping out in 2013, One World Trade Center in New York City has been the tallest skyscraper in the United States. Its spire brings the structure to a symbolic architectural height of 1,776 feet (541m), connoting the year the Declaration of Independence was signed, though the absolute tip (or pinnacle) of the structure is measured at 1,792ft (546m).[3] However, the observation deck elevation and the height to the highest occupied floor of One World Trade Center are surpassed by Central Park Tower, 432 Park Avenue, 111 West 57th Street, and Chicago's Willis Tower, which was formerly and is still commonly known as Sears Tower. Tribune East Tower in Chicago will also have a higher occupied floor and roof upon its completion.[4]
Prior to the September 11 attacks in New York City, the twin towers of the first World Trade Center occupied the second and third positions on the list below. The North Tower (1 WTC) stood at 1,368 feet (417m), while the South Tower (2 WTC) was 1,362 feet (415m) tall, then surpassed only by the Willis Tower at 1,450 feet (442m). If they were still standing today, they would occupy the seventh and eighth positions on the list below, with their replacement—the new One World Trade Center—being excluded.
There are numerous skyscrapers and supertall buildings both proposed and under construction throughout the country, concentrated in Chicago and New York City. 270 Park Avenue, in New York City, is currently under construction. In Chicago, work for Tribune East Tower has not begun but tentatively planned to start in February 2024. Other tall buildings that are proposed include the 1,907-foot-tall (581m)Legends Tower in Oklahoma City, the 1,010-foot-tall (310m)One Bayfront Plaza, and the 1,049-foot-tall (320m)One Brickell Centre in Miami.
Tallest buildings
This list ranks completed and topped-out buildings in the United States that stand at least 800 feet (244m) tall, based on standard height measurement which includes spires and architectural details, but excludes antenna masts. An equal sign (=) following a rank indicates the same height between two or more buildings. The "Year" column indicates the year in which a building was or will be completed.
† Was the world's tallest building upon completion
On November 3, 2014, One World Trade Center became the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere. It is the 7th-tallest building in the world. Tallest building constructed in the United States in the 2010s.[5][6][7][8]
Also known as the Nordstrom Tower. At 1,550 feet, the tower is the tallest residential building in the world both by roof height and architectural height.[9][10] Topped out in September 2019.[11] It is the tallest building outside Asia by roof height. Tallest building constructed in the United States in the 2020s.
Formerly known, and still commonly referred to, as the Sears Tower. It was the tallest building in the world from 1974 until 1998. Tallest building constructed in the world in the 1970s.[12][13]
Tallest building in the world from 1931 until 1972; tallest man-made structure in the world 1931–1967; first building in the world to contain over 100 floors. Tallest building constructed in the world in the 1930s.[31][32]
Formerly known as the John Hancock Center: it is the first trussed-tube building in the world Contains some of the highest residential units in the world. Tallest building constructed in the world in the 1960s, and the highest pinnacle height in the world at the time.[39][40]
Topped out on April 6, 2017. Tallest building in San Francisco and fourth-tallest building in rooftop height west of Chicago. Second-tallest building west of the Mississippi.[47]
Topped out in October 2021 to become the tallest building in Brooklyn, the tallest building in the Outer Boroughs, tallest building on Long Island, and the first supertall skyscraper in the state of New York outside Manhattan.[48][49]
Tied for 21st-tallest in the United States. Tallest man-made structure in the world from 1930 until 1931; First building to be more than 1,000 feet tall; tallest brick building in the world.[51][52]
Tied for 21st-tallest in the United States. Also known as the Times Tower. The first high-rise building in the United States to have a ceramic sunscreen curtain wall.[53][54][55]
Tallest building in Atlanta and the Southern United States; tallest building located in a state capital. Tallest building constructed in the United States in the 1990s.[57][58]
Originally known as the AT&T Corporate Center at its inauguration in 1989, the name was changed after Tishman Speyer acquired the building and the adjacent USG complex in 2004.[61][62]
Tallest building in Houston and Texas; Second-tallest by rooftop height in the U.S. west of Chicago. Tallest 5-sided building in the world.[65][66] Tallest building west of the Mississippi River until 1989.
Tallest building in Seattle and Washington; fourth-tallest building on the West Coast. Tallest observation deck on the West Coast and west of the Mississippi.[96][97]
Also known as the Trump Building, it was the tallest building in the world for two months in 1930 until the completion of the Chrysler Building.[98][99]
Originally constructed at a height of 710 feet (216m); rooftop spires were added in 1987, increasing the building's structural height to 886 feet (270m).[111][112]
2nd-tallest building in San Francisco. Tallest in San Francisco from 1972 until 2017;[134] tallest building in the U.S. west of the Mississippi River from 1972 until 1974[135][136]
2nd-tallest mixed-use residential building west of the Mississippi River.[179][180]
* Indicates building is still under construction, but has been topped out.
Tallest buildings by pinnacle height
Tallest buildings in the United States by pinnacle height, including all antennas, poles, whether architectural or not as of 2020
This lists ranks completed and topped out buildings in the United States that stand at least 800 feet (244m) tall based on pinnacle height measurement, which includes antenna masts. Standard architectural height measurement, which excludes antennas in building height, is included for comparative purposes.
This lists buildings that are under construction in the United States and are planned to rise at least 800 feet (244m). Buildings that have already been topped out are excluded.
Would become the second-tallest building in the new World Trade Center complex upon completion. As of June 2020, construction is on hold after the completion of foundation work due to a lack of tenants. Both Bjarke Ingels and Norman Foster have proposed designs for the building, the final design will depend upon a prospective tenant's needs.[221][222][223][224] When completed, it will be tied for 39th tallest in the world with Haeundae LCT The Sharp, as well as 8th in the United States.
Set to become the tallest residential building in Downtown Manhattan.[225][226] When completed, it will be tied for 90th tallest in the world with 875 Michigan Avenue, as well as tied for 13th in the United States.
Proposed by developer Sedesco with a design by OMA.[227] Demolition work was completed on the site as of August 2021.[228] Construction reportedly began in 2023.[229]
Extell filed permits with several different potential plans for a supertall building on the site in late 2021.[230] Demolition of existing structures was completed in 2023.[231] Construction reportedly began in 2023.[232]
Approved by the city in December 2021.[233] Excavation underway as of October 2022.[234] Plans call for a hotel, with a "vertical-drop" ride and observation tower.[235][236]
Announced in 2015. When completed, it would be the tallest in Miami, the state of Florida, and the Southern United States, as well as tied for 19th in the United States with 53W53. Construction commenced after the groundbreaking ceremony in October 2022.[237][238][needs update]
Originally proposed in November 2013, demolition works on the existing structure are underway as of January 2024.[239] If built, it would become the 23nd tallest in the United States, as well as tallest in Miami. One Brickell City Centre is planned as a 59-story, 1,040-foot office tower as part of phase 2 of the Brickell City Centre redevelopment in Brickell.
Proposed in 2020 by Lincoln Property Company and Karoi Residential. Contains residential, office, and hotel levels. When completed, it will be the tallest in Texas, as well as the 24th tallest in the United States. Site prep work began in fall 2021. [needs citation]
Will contain 149 condominiums and be one of Miami's tallest buildings when completed. Construction plans have resumed after being suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[241] When completed, it will be the 45th tallest in the United States, as well as the tallest in Miami if completed before the Waldorf Astoria.
Will be the second-tallest building in San Francisco once completed, only behind the Salesforce Tower. Construction started December 2016.[242][243][244][245] When completed, it will be the 49th tallest in the United States.
Part of a two tower project, built on the site of the proposed Chicago Spire.[246][247] When completed, it will be the 56th tallest in the United States.
189-unit luxury building will also be the world's the first residential high-rise in the world partially powered by the sun, the developer says, with 500 photovoltaic-integrated windows.
Archaeologists discovered human remains and artifacts at the site in 2021.[248] Construction on the site has been paused so archaeologists can conduct a dig, but construction commenced on October 30, 2023 after a groundbreaking ceremony took place on the site.[249]
Approved by the New York City Council in September 2018.[251][252] The development will have two buildings; excavation on the site of the shorter building began in late 2021.[253] When completed, it will become the 76th tallest in the United States.
* Table entries with dashes (—) indicate that information regarding building dates of completion has not yet been released.
Approved and proposed
This lists buildings that are proposed for construction in the United States and are planned to rise at least 800 feet (244m). A floor count of 50 stories is used as the cutoff for buildings whose heights have not yet been released by their developers.
Designed by AO for developer Scot Matteson, it is part of the Boardwalk at Bricktown complex, which is planned to have 1,528 apartments, 85 condominiums, a 480-room Dream Hotel, restaurants, and shops.[254][255] Construction commenced after the groundbreaking ceremony in October 23, 2024. If built, it would become the tallest in the United States and Western Hemisphere, as well as the 6th tallest in the world.
350 Park Avenue is designed by Foster and Partners and is to be developed by Vornado Realty Trust and Rudin Management. The original proposal reached 1,500 feet and had a slanted look, but the overall design was significantly altered in 2023. The lot is currently occupied by a 30 story mid-century office tower. In December 2023, the developers bought the air rights from the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York.[259][260] If built, it would become tied for 13th tallest in the world, as well as 2nd tallest in the Western Hemisphere.
An Environmental Assessment Statement for 109 East 42nd Street in Midtown East reveals details for a proposed development called Project Commodore, a 1,581-foot-tall skyscraper on the site currently occupied by Grand Hyatt New York. It will be designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill.[261] If built, it would become the 14th tallest building in the world, as well as 2nd tallest building in the Western Hemisphere.
Tower Fifth is a slender office tower proposed by 432 Park Avenue developer Harry B. Macklowe of Macklowe Properties. If built, it would become the 15th tallest in the world, as well as 2nd tallest in the Western Hemisphere.
Would become the second-tallest building in Chicago upon completion. Construction is supposed to start in February 2024.[262][263][264][265] If built, it would become the 28th tallest building in the world, as well as 4th tallest in the United States, and 2nd tallest in Chicago.
As of June 2019, the site is for sale after Chinese developer Oceanwide Holdings ran into financial difficulties[266] If built, it would become the 29th tallest in the world, as well as 4th tallest in the United States.
Redevelopment of a Midtown address for a possible supertall office building.[267] As of 2024, there have not been any new developments in years.[268] If built, it would become the 42nd tallest in the world, as well as 8th tallest in the United States.
Designed by Foster and Partners and developed by Vornado Realty Trust, the design of the building has changed several times over the years. Built on the site of the former Hotel Pennsylvania, which was demolished in July of 2023.[269][270] If built, it would become tied for 47th tallest in the world with 30 Hudson Yards, as well as tied for 8th tallest in the United States.
Proposed residential, office, education, and retail space, part of Schuylkill Yards[274] If built, it would become the 16th tallest in the United States, as well as 2nd tallest in Philadelphia.
Developing next to the site of a historic church, as of March 2023 the existing church agreed to have the development.[275] If built, it would become the 20th tallest in the United States, as well as tallest in Miami.
Proposed in September 2015 by Crescent Heights, and designed by LMN Architects[278][279] In 2023, the height of the tower was cut by 164 feet, and the architect was replaced with Skidmore, Owings & Merill. If built, it would become the 24th tallest in the United States, as well as tallest in Seattle.
SHoP Architects building being developed by JDS Development Group. Initial plans revealed in April 2016 and approved by the City Planning Commission in December 2018.[280][281] If built, it would become the 25th tallest in the United States.
Proposed residential, hotel, and office Tower designed by CallisonRTKL. If built, it would become the 34th tallest in The United States. as well as becoming 4th tallest in California, and 3th in Los Angeles.
Proposed Residential and office Tower designed by Peebles, MacFarlane, and Claridge Properties.[284] In 2023, the city approved the development.[285] If built, it would become the 65th tallest in the United States, as well as 5th tallest in California, and 4th in Los Angeles.
Part of a proposed 3 tower complex. As of 2023, the developer is fighting over taxes.[286] If built, it would become tied for 65th tallest building in the United States with Transamerica Pyramid, as well as tied for 5th in California, and 4th tallest in Los Angeles.
In 2023, the site was put up for sale by the developer.[291][292][293] If built, it would become tied for 85th tallest in the United States with 731 Lexington Avenue, as well as 6th tallest in California, and 3rd tallest in San Francisco.
Approved in August 2016.[294] Developer granted 5 year extension in 2022.[295] If built, it would become the 89th tallest building in the United States, as well as 2nd tallest in both New Jersey and Jersey City.
* Table entries with dashes (—) indicate that information regarding building heights, floor counts or dates of completion has not yet been released.
Tallest destroyed
This table lists the 10 tallest buildings in the United States that have been demolished, destroyed, or are undergoing demolition.
† Was the world's tallest building upon completion
Demolished to make room for One Liberty Plaza; tallest building ever to be peacefully demolished until 270 Park Avenue in 2021; tallest building in the world from 1908 until 1909.[301][302]
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