Proud Geek

Oh boy. When I heard about the Chicago Spire being planned and how it’d be the tallest building in the U.S., I then looked up the tallest buildings in the world. I had to wade through a whole slew of different types of “tallest” buildings and structures. And even for inhabitable buildings, there are different rankings depending on whether they have antennas, spires, or other architectural details on top. But, in summary …

Top Three Tallest Buildings in the World (by architectural detail):

These rankings include aesthetically-pleasing spires and other detail on top of these buildings, but not TV / radio / telephone antennas.

1. Taipei 101 - Taipei, Republic of China (Taiwan) - 1,671 ft, 101 floors
2. Petronas Tower #1 (tie) - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - 1,483 ft, 88 floors
2. Petronas Tower #2 (tie) - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - 1,483 ft, 88 floors
4. Sears Tower - Chicago, USA - 1,451 ft, 108 floors

Within the United States, the Empire State Building is #9, at 1,250 ft and 102 floors. World Trade Center #1 and #2, if still standing today, would have been #6 and #7 (1,368 ft and 110 floors).

Top Three Tallest Buildings in the World (including antenna / pinnacle):

When including antennas and pinnacles, these rankings change:

1. Sears Tower - Chicago, USA - 1,729 ft
2. Taipei 101 - Taipei, Republic of China (Taiwan) - 1,671 ft
3. John Hancock Center - Chicago, USA - 1,500 ft

The Petronas Towers fall to #4 (tie, 1,483 ft), and the Empire State Building is next at #6 (1,472 ft). Interestingly enough, World Trade Center #1, if still standing today, would have been #2 (1,724 ft).

Top Three Tallest Buildings under construction:

Two of buildings currently under construction would be significantly higher than the tallest buildings standing today.

1. Burj Dubai - Dubai, United Arab Emirates - over 2,651 ft (final height is “secret”, might be over 3084 ft)
2. Freedom Tower - New York City, USA - 1,776 ft
3. Shanghai World Financial Center - Shanghai, China - 1,614 ft (note: this would not be as high as some of the highest buildings standing today)

The Chicago Spire building is still in the planning / approval stages. It would be 2,000 feet and 150 stories — or #2 in the world and #1 in the USA. Various other buildings and towers in the planning / design stage will be much higher, even higher than the Burj Dubai building.