We are fascinated by skyscrapers, and our ongoing love affair with these stunning structures is what inspired this latest study from the experts at Buildworld.
They analyzed thousands of data points from skyscraperpage.com, then ranked the cities with the tallest skylines based on the average height of their 50 tallest buildings.
Here’s a look at the results.
Why We Love Skyscrapers
From the shadow of ancient pyramids to modern metropolises, the tale of skyscrapers is a soaring testament to human ingenuity.
Not just buildings, these monoliths embody ambition, epitomizing humankind’s relentless drive upwards. As they stretch ever skyward today, they symbolize our endless quest to reach new heights, both literally and metaphorically.
Ada Louise Huxtable, an American architecture critic and writer, explains why we find these towering monuments to modernity so captivating: “The skyscraper is a major force with a strong magnetic field,” wrote Huxtable. “It draws into its physical being all of the factors that propel and characterize modern civilization. The skyscraper is the point where art and the city meet.”
The World’s Tallest Skylines
Dubai is the city with the world’s highest skyline, according to research from Buildworld. The average height of its 50 tallest buildings was 323.9 meters.
That mean average was pushed up by the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building.
The Burj Khalifa stands at a dizzying 828.1 meters. Its design was inspired by regional desert flowers and traditional Islamic architecture. Inside, it boasts luxury residences, corporate suites, and an observation deck on the 148th floor, offering stunning panoramic views.
New York takes second place, with an average skyline height of 299.1 meters. The Big Apple’s skyline is one of the most iconic sights in the world. For some, there’s nothing that has ever compared to it.
“The skyline of New York is a monument of splendor that no pyramids or palaces will ever equal or approach,” wrote novelist and philosopher Ayn Rand. “I would give the greatest sunset in the world for one sight of New York’s skyline.”
The following three spots are filled by Chinese cities: Shenzhen, Shanghai, and Guangzhou.
Chicago, widely regarded as the birthplace of the skyscraper, comes next, with an average skyline height of 247 meters.
The Tallest Skyline in Every Country
The Buildworld researchers also looked at the tallest skyline in every country. Canada, South Korea, Australia, and Thailand all have at least one city where the average skyline rests above the 200-meter mark.
Croatia comes up short when compared to the rest of the world. The country’s highest skyline is in Split, but it stands at less than 51 meters tall. The city has a rich history with well-preserved architecture that dates back centuries. Developers have long rejected the skyscraper design to preserve Split’s historical aesthetic and cultural heritage.
The sky is literally the limit for these amazing buildings. As we speak, work is underway on the Jeddah Tower in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Once complete, it will be the first 1 km tall building ever built.