The largest skyscraper in the world. The most famous skyscrapers

Burj Khalifa is the main attraction of Dubai. This is one of the world's record-breaking buildings, located in the United Arab Emirates. Firstly, it is the tallest building created in the entire history of mankind, secondly, it is the building with the largest number of floors, and, finally, the most expensive building in the world.

And this would seem like something completely unheard of and unprecedented if the Emirates had not surprised the world earlier by building the largest singing fountain, the most prestigious area with the largest artificially created beaches and canals, the most exclusive metro and much, much more, the most diverse and unusual. The skyscraper rises 828 meters high, the number of floors of the building is more than 160. And the total cost of the structure is more than one and a half billion dollars. By the way, controversy and rumors surrounded the Burj Khalifa all the time before the opening of the skyscraper. About height, for example. Initially, it was assumed that the 705 m high tower project would be a modified project of the Australian “Grollo Tower” (560 m). The project managers said that the height would in any case be more than 700 m (that is, the Burj Khalifa, after completion of construction, in any case, would become the tallest structure on Earth). In September 2006, rumors spread to society about the final height of 916 m, and then even 940 m. But still, the final height was 828 meters with 163 floors (not including technical levels).

Clickable 1900 px

The city of Dubai in the UAE, for many centuries it was a small trading port where fish and pearls were caught in the coastal waters of the Persian Gulf. In recent decades, the city's wealth has risen sharply thanks to the discovery of oil and the desire of its rulers to turn Dubai into a business center. In 2003, two hundred skyscrapers had already been built or were under construction. And then the Emir of Dubai, Mohammed ibn Rashid, gave a simple order - to build the tallest building in the world. The construction of the tallest building begins with digging a hole, a very large hole.

Several months have passed since Dubai-based developer Emaar signed a contract with Chicago-based SOM. Oddly enough, this building does not have a foundation firmly anchored in the rocky ground. Here in the desert you won't find as much stone as in New York or other geological areas. We used hanging piles. These piles were screwed into sand and soft rock, and their load-bearing capacity was determined by their diameter and length. These are 45-meter piles, approximately one and a half meters in diameter. In total, we screwed in about 200 of these piles, says one of the project architects.

The skyscraper construction project included the construction of a so-called “city within a city” - its territory had its own parks, boulevards, and lawns. The total cost of the tower construction project was about one and a half billion dollars.

The author of the Burj Khalifa tower project was an architect from the USA, Adrian Smith, who had sufficient experience in designing similar structures. For example, Smith was directly involved in the design of the Jin Mao skyscraper, located in China, whose height is more than 400 meters. The construction division of Samsung from South Korea was chosen as the general contractor for the construction, which had previously participated in the construction of similar facilities, for example, the famous Petronas Twin Towers located in Malaysia.

Construction of the tallest skyscraper in the world was carried out quite quickly. Every week the building became 1-2 floors higher. After the 160th floor was built, concrete work stopped and assembly of the giant 180-meter spire from metal structures began. Construction of the skyscraper lasted for 5 years.

According to the project, 108 floors are allocated for residential premises: a luxury hotel is located on 37 of them, and ordinary apartments are located on the remaining floors. Although it’s hard to call apartments built in the most expensive and tallest skyscraper in the world “ordinary”! As noted above, the Burj Khalifa skyscraper is completely autonomous. To provide energy for such a large-scale structure, an equally large 61-meter turbine is used. In addition, numerous solar panels placed on the walls of the tower help provide the building with energy.

Despite its size, the building is well designed and protected, so in the event of a fire, complete evacuation takes only about half an hour!

The Sheikh of Dubai talks about plans to build the tallest building in the world Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, first announced in 2002. The tower was to become a key element of the new area, designed to attract tourists from all over the world to Dubai. The developer of the tower was a Dubai company Emaar, general contractor - South Korean Samsung Engineering. The tower was originally called Burj Dubai, from the Arabic Dubai Tower, but the completion of the project coincided with the global financial crisis and Dubai was forced to turn to the neighboring emirate of Abu Dhabi for help. In gratitude for the multi-billion dollar support received, the skyscraper was renamed in honor of the Sheikh of Abu Dhabi:“From now on and forever, this tower will bear the name “Khalifa” - “Burj Khalifa.”

In the outlines of the foundation one can see the outlines of the desert pancrat flower. This form facilitates the construction of buildings several hundred meters high. And when construction had already begun, lead architect George Estafio and his client made a bold decision - to increase the height of the building from the original 550, which exceeded the tallest Taipei Tower at that time (509.2 meters) by only a few meters, and not just increase, but almost doubled.

After laying the foundation, the tower began to grow rapidly. Work at the site took place 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There were about 100 designers, architects, and engineers, and up to 12,000 workers worked on the site every day.
Every three days a new floor appeared. But the higher you go, the more problems there are. And the main one is the wind. It is impossible to build a single tower of such height and uniform shape. Then the effect of the wind will be too strong, the vibrations will become too significant.

The terraces were built according to a certain pattern, rising in a spiral. The shape of the building is asymmetrical. This way the wind creates less vibration of buildings and as it rises the asymmetry changes, but also creeps up.
When you build the tallest building in the world, every centimeter counts. When pouring concrete, engineers needed to know where the center of the building would be, and with constant movement it is not easy to calculate it. The contractor installed 3 different devices GPS on the ground and another one at the very top of the building.
The building's exterior panels presented a major challenge to engineers. The glass had to reflect heat but transmit light. It should also be water-, wind- and dust-proof. About 200 of these panels were required for each floor.

During construction, the creators took into account literally everything - from the high temperatures in the Arabian sun to the angle of incidence of light into the premises of the tower. The building is equipped with special solar protection and reflective glass panels that reduce the heating of the rooms inside (temperatures in Dubai reach 50°C), reducing the need for air conditioning. Well, for air conditioning in the skyscraper, a convection system is used, driving air from bottom to top along the entire height of the tower, and sea water and underground cooling modules will be used for cooling. A special brand of concrete was created especially for the Burj Khalifa - such concrete is heat-resistant and does not deform under the scorching sun of the United Arab Emirates. By the way, the skyscraper will completely independently generate electricity for its own use: for this there will be a 61-meter turbine rotated by the wind and an array of solar panels (some of them are located on the walls of the tower).

The entire building project costs more than one and a half billion dollars - a huge amount, albeit for a highly developed country at this stage. Due to problems with financing the construction of the Burj Khalifa, the official opening of the skyscraper was postponed from September 9, 2009 (this date was originally planned - the opening date of the Dubai metro) to January 2010.

The Burj Khalifa project was created according to the idea of ​​a “city within a city.” The building is surrounded by adjacent roads, convenient parking spaces, private lawns, boulevards and parks. In addition, the high-rise building hosts independent sponsored entertainment for young people and business people. Once again, a new site in the Khalifa Building is open for business. In addition to the hotel located on the first 37 floors, as well as luxury apartments between the 45th and 108th floors, most floors are still given over to office areas and business premises. Spacious, comfortable and air-conditioned rooms for meetings and presentations today attract business people from all over the world, which once again brings Dubai to the level of the business capital of the world - since almost every complex of buildings that open every year has a corner, so to speak, investor. The 123rd and 124th floors are equipped with an observation deck. Thousands of tourists who come here every year say that the sensations cannot be expressed in words - it is so breathtaking and filled with wonder, how could a person create such a thing!

In Arabic, "burj" means "tower".

The creators of the Dubai skyscraper also claim that the distinctive feature of the building is the highest residential floor and an observation deck located on the 124th floor. In the skyscraper, which can be seen from a distance of 90 kilometers, 57 elevators of the world's fastest system, the cabins move at a speed of 18 meters per second. There is also an autonomous power supply system - a 60-meter wind turbine and huge solar panels. The tower has a modern design, but its architecture also shows the influence of Islamic traditions.

According to the designers, the building is resistant to strong wind loads and can also withstand an earthquake. "We were struck by lightning twice, last year we felt the echoes of a powerful earthquake in Iran. In addition, during construction we experienced all possible types of wind. The results are good," Mohamed Ali Alabbar told the BBC. head of Emaar Properties, which built the tower.

Some of the apartments in the skyscraper were sold at a price of 24.3 thousand dollars per sq.m., but now their price has dropped by about half. The project, which has demonstrated resilience to natural disasters, did not remain unaffected by the global financial crisis. According to analysts, there will be especially many problems with the rental of office space in Burj Dubai, since fewer and fewer companies can afford such luxury.

Clickable 1600 px

Clickable 1920 px

The opening ceremony of the skyscraper was timed to coincide with the fourth anniversary of the reign of the current Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashed Al Maktoum, in the emirate of Dubai, who came to power on January 4. At the ceremony, the sheikh renamed the skyscraper, which was known as Burj Dubai during construction, to Burj Khalifa, dedicating it to the President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. “From now on and forever, this tower will be called Khalifa - Burj Khalifa,” he said.

Sheikh Khalifa is also the emir of Abu Dhabi, which has allocated $10 billion to Dubai to help pay off debt obligations, including to support the investment company Dubai World.

The long-awaited opening of the legendary building took place with fireworks and festive concerts. The event was amazing in its incredible scope - the public saw the promised fireworks, theatrical performances, and a laser show. The list of honored guests invited to the opening ceremony included six thousand people. Others were able to watch a tour of the building on huge screens installed on the streets or on television. In total, more than two billion people around the world watched the opening ceremony on television.

From the first to the 39th floors of the building are occupied by the Armani Hotel. Above are office and technical premises, as well as individual apartments. In addition, there are special observation floors that serve as a high-altitude observatory. The 180-meter spire houses special communications equipment. Burj Khalifa (Burj Dubai) boasts 65 double-decker elevators. True, you will have to make several transfers on the way up or on the way down. From the first to the very last floor there is only one technical elevator. By the way, the Burj Khalifa elevator system is the fastest in the world, as the elevators reach speeds of up to 18 meters per second.

Here are some technical specifications of the Burj Khalifa:
— Style: Modernism
— Materials: structures - reinforced concrete, steel; facade - stainless steel, aluminum, glass.
— Purpose: office and retail space, residential real estate and hotel.
— Height: 828 meters.
— Floors: 164 (including two underground floors).
— Area: 3595100 sq. m.
— The highest observation deck is located at an altitude of 442.10 m.
- The Armani Hotel (the first of its kind) will occupy the lower 37 floors.
— From the 45th to the 108th floor there are about 700 apartments.
— The remaining floors will contain office and retail space.

Clickable 1900 px

Interesting facts about Burj Khalifa:
— The skyscraper has the world's fastest 57 elevators. They are designed to serve their group of visitors to the Burj Khalifa - staff and attendants, cargo, office workers, visitors and residents of the building, VIPs.
— From the 124th floor, two-story observation elevators operate - they accommodate from 12 to 14 people. The ascent speed is 10 meters per second.
— To build the tower, 330,000 cubic meters of concrete and 31,400 tons of steel reinforcement were required.
— The tower is located in the center of an artificial lake
— The Burj Khalifa has several recreational areas for visitors to relax - fitness and spa are located on the 43rd, 76th, 123rd floors, and swimming pools (the highest in the world), rooms for relaxation and other events are located on the 43rd and 76th floors.

Clickable 1600 px

— The shape of the building plan (three rays emanating from the center) is based on a desert flower bud growing in this region.
— The highest residential floor is 109.
— The highest observation deck is located on the 124th floor.
— The depth of the foundation piles is more than 50 meters.
— The building’s water supply system uses recycled rainwater (about_0 rain in the desert?)
— The tower will independently generate all its own electricity: for this, a 61-meter turbine rotated by the wind will be used, as well as an array of solar panels (partially located on the walls of the tower) with a total area of ​​about 15 thousand m².
— The building is equipped with special sun protection and reflective glass panels that will reduce the heating of the rooms inside (in Dubai there are temperatures of up to 50 °C). For air conditioning in the skyscraper, a convection system is used, driving air from bottom to top along the entire height of the tower, and sea water and underground cooling modules will be used for cooling. It is stated that the air temperature in the building will be about +18 °C.

Burj Khalifa was created according to the principle vertical city- floors are arranged in blocks designed for different functions. The tower contains about 900 apartments, a hotel with 304 rooms, 35 floors are given over to offices. There is parking for 3,000 cars on three underground floors.

The availability of modern technologies and building materials provides architects all over the planet with the opportunity to constantly create bold designs for the tallest buildings in the world and turn them into reality. As a result, every year not only thousands of ordinary buildings, but also hundreds of skyscrapers appear in different countries. Some of them are typical, while others are so unique and recognizable that they bear the title of real architectural masterpieces. This article further presents a ranking of the 10 tallest buildings in the world in ascending order, taking into account the spiers and masts on their roofs.

"Nanjing Greenland"

This structure is also known as the “Zifeng Tower”, and it is located in the Chinese city of Nanjing. It consists of 89 floors and has a height of 450 meters. The commissioning of this skyscraper took place in 2010. Now the high-rise building, which is built in the shape of a triangle, has a mixed purpose. In particular, the lower floors house various shops and restaurants, while the upper floors are used as offices. From the observation deck on level 72 there is a beautiful view of local surroundings and the Yangtze River. The project was characterized by three conceptual positions - the aforementioned Chinese river, landscaped gardens and motifs of local mythology (dragons with iconography on columns).

Petronas Towers

In ninth position in the “World’s Tallest Building” ranking is the symbol of Kuala Lumpur (the capital of Malaysia) - the Twin Towers. The then Prime Minister of the state, Mahathir Mohamad, took an active part in their design. It was he who came up with the idea of ​​building them in the Islamic style, and more specifically, in the shape of eight-pointed stars. Both skyscrapers were built in 1998, consist of 88 floors and have a height of 451.9 meters. There are conference rooms inside, art galleries and offices. The cost of the project reached 800 million US dollars. An interesting feature is that the structures were built on soft soil, so to strengthen it, piles about 100 meters deep were driven into the ground. This foundation is the most powerful on the planet to this day. A covered walkway has been constructed between the towers, one of the important purposes of which is fire safety.

International Commerce Center in Hong Kong

The height of this building is 484 m. It consists of 118 floors and was put into operation in Kowloon in 2010. It mainly houses offices, shops and shopping centers. The top seventeen floors are occupied by a five-star hotel with a huge swimming pool on the last floor. Initially, it was planned to build a 102-story structure with a height of 574 meters, but due to the ban on building buildings higher than the surrounding mountains, the project was revised.

Shanghai World Financial Center

This representative of the "World's Tallest Building" rating was built in 2008. The World Financial Center in Shanghai is 492 meters high and consists of 101 floors. The skyscraper can boast of several prizes and awards as the best high-rise building in 2008 and the owner of the highest observation deck on the planet. The structure has passed the seismic stability test and is capable of withstanding an earthquake of up to magnitude seven. Moreover, even at the design stage, the architects provided three options for saving people during a fire. On every twelfth floor there is a protected area where you can hide from a fire or wait for rescuers.

"Taipei 101"

In sixth position on the list is a skyscraper from Taipei, the capital of Taiwan. The building consists of 101 floors and its height is 508 meters. The high-rise building, built in 2004, harmoniously combines ancient Chinese architecture and modern postmodernist traditions. Between the 87th and 91st floors there is a giant pendulum ball weighing 660 tons, which significantly reduces the likelihood of collapse in the event of an earthquake or hurricane. The structure, which is predominantly made of steel, aluminum and glass, is supported by 380 pillars made of concrete and extending underground to a depth of 80 meters.

CTF Finance Center

This high-rise building is located in the Chinese city of Guangzhou. It is also known as the International Financial Center. The skyscraper was built in the modernist style and was officially opened in 2010. As of today, it belongs to the category of “the tallest buildings under construction in the world”, since work on its construction is still ongoing. According to the architects' plans, they should be completed in 2016. Then it will be a whole complex consisting of two towers. The height of the completed western building, consisting of 103 floors, is now 441 meters. The complex also includes a 28-storey building, which is connected to the existing tower through a 4-storey common basement. The impact of air flow on the building is practically reduced to zero due to its streamlined shape.

Freedom Tower

Located in the American city of New York, the Freedom Tower is a skyscraper with a height of 541.3 meters. It should be noted that this is the tallest building in the world that is used exclusively for offices. Moreover, it is the largest high-rise building in the entire Western Hemisphere. The Freedom Tower became the main structure of the new World Trade Center, built to replace the complex destroyed by a terrorist attack in 2001. The building itself is 417 meters high up to the roof, and the remaining 124 meters fall on the 758-ton spire installed on it. On the outside it is lined with glass with a bluish tint, so it looks very beautiful.

Royal Clock Tower

The representative of Saudi Arabia closes the top three in the top tallest buildings in the world. The structure is located in the world famous city of Mecca and rises 601 meters. It consists of 102 floors and was officially opened in 2012. The skyscraper is the largest on the planet in terms of construction volume and boasts the highest clock on Earth. The mosque with the main Islamic shrine (Kaaba) is located directly across the road. The Royal Clock Tower houses a hotel that proudly bears the title of the highest in the world. It can accommodate about 100 thousand people at the same time.

Shanghai Tower

In second place in the “World’s Tallest Building” ranking is a super-tall structure called Shanghai Tower, the construction of which is currently being completed in the Chinese city of the same name. According to the project, its height will be 632 meters, and the number of floors will be 128. The cost of its implementation, according to preliminary estimates, will be 4.2 billion US dollars. It is expected that its official commissioning will take place in 2015, despite the fact that construction work started in 1993. The frame itself has already been erected, and now only finishing work is underway. The skyscraper is multifunctional and consists of nine separate vertical zones. The finishing is made using durable glass, which provides not only protection from external weather conditions people, but also natural ventilation.

"Burj Khalifa"

The ranking of the tallest buildings in the world is confidently headed by the Burj Khalifa, a skyscraper from Dubai (UAE). Its peak is at an altitude of 828 meters. The building was erected in 2010 and consists of 136 floors. In its shape it resembles a stalagmite. Initially, the facility was planned as a city within a city, which would have its own lawns, parks and boulevards. There are three separate entrances to the skyscraper. From the 1st floor to the 39th floor, there are offices and the Armani Hotel. This is not surprising, since the design of the hotel was personally developed by Giorgio Armani. On the site from levels 44 to 108, the architects built 900 apartments, and from 111 to 154 they equipped office space. There is an observation deck on the 124th floor.

Without a doubt, located in the city of Dubai, the tallest building in the world amazes the human imagination. Be that as it may, many high-rise buildings and dozens of skyscrapers appear on our planet every year. Many of them, even at the construction stage, can well be considered as potential competitors to the representatives of the above rating. A clear indication of this is the fact that some of them are already considered real architectural masterpieces and are recognizable throughout the planet. The most iconic objects that can already be safely included in the list of “The World’s Tallest Buildings of the Future” are considered to be Zhongnan Center (China), Lotte World Tower (South Korea) and World Tower (Mumbai).

The first of the mentioned structures, according to the project, should have a height of 730 meters and consist of 138 floors. If all work is completed according to schedule, then its official opening will take place in 2020. After this, the building will become the tallest in China. The project is estimated at $4.2 billion.

The height of the Lotte World Tower skyscraper in Seoul is expected to reach 556 meters. Its construction should be completed in 2016. The architects plan to place offices, shops and a hotel inside.

As for the World Tower, the building should welcome its first visitors next year. The tallest building now in Mumbai - the Imperial Tower - this structure will be almost twice as large. In addition to shopping centers and offices, it is planned to build approximately three hundred luxury apartments, the cost of which will start at $1.5 million.

Even the ancient Egyptians, using the example of the pyramids, showed the world that buildings of impressive height demonstrate the strength and power of the country and the level of its development. A lot of time has passed since then, but the countries where the tallest skyscrapers on the planet were built still attract attention. Thus, the USA is famous for the largest number of skyscrapers built on the territory of the country, and the United United Arab Emirates known as the state in which the largest skyscraper in the world was erected.

Burj Khalifa - the tallest skyscraper on the planet

The bold project of the world's tallest building belongs to the American architect Adrian Smith. In his plans, the skyscraper was real city, located inside the city, which will not only have premises, but also beautiful gardens, parks with magnificent flower beds.

The project, developed by Adrian Smith, was approved, and construction of the skyscraper began in 2004. Throughout the construction of the tower, its intended height was kept a closely guarded secret. Investors wanted the building to be the tallest on the planet. At their request, changes had to be made to the project if a skyscraper competing in height was built somewhere.

Construction of the Burj Khalifa tower took more than 5 years. To ensure the design was safe, engineers had to solve unusually complex problems. The skyscraper had to easily withstand strong gusts of wind and high temperatures of this region. But thanks to the talent of engineers and architects, all problems were solved, and in 2010, after the completion of construction, the grand opening of the tower took place.

The Burj Khalifa skyscraper amazes with its features:

• its height is 828 m;
• the tower has 163 floors, not counting the basement levels and technical areas located in the spire;
• the skyscraper is supported by 200 piles, the diameter of which is 1.5 m and the length is 45 m;
• the weight of the building is about 500,000 tons.

In the skyscraper, communication between floors is provided by 57 high-speed elevators. To get from the first floor to the last, you will have to make transfers, or you can use the service elevator, the speed of which is much lower.

Above the Chinese city of Shanghai rises a tower whose height is 632 m. It is the second tallest skyscraper on the planet. The construction of the giant began in 2008, and the last work was completed in 2013. The skyscraper has 130 floors containing office space.

Among the leading skyscrapers in height are the Abraj al-Bayt towers. The main one, the Royal Tower, rises 601 m above the surface. This skyscraper set several records: the structure has the heaviest weight and the largest clock in the world is installed on it. The dials of the clocks located on each side of the rectangular tower are visible from any corner of the city of Mecca ( Saudi Arabia). On the 120 floors of the skyscraper there are residential premises, a hotel, retail and catering establishments.

The World Trade Center built in New York is also one of the tallest skyscrapers on the planet. It rises 543.1 meters above lower Manhattan. It was erected on the site of the Twin Towers destroyed in 2001. The construction of the skyscraper began in 2004, and its official opening took place in 2012. All 120 floors of the complex are occupied by offices.

In the capital of Taiwan, the Taipei 101 skyscraper was opened in 2003, which is the fifth tallest such structure. This 101-story building rises 509 m above the surface. Construction of the skyscraper began in 1999 and lasted more than 4 years. Immediately after construction, the building was tested for strength by the earthquake that happened here. But after experts examined Taipei, no deformations in the building’s structure or damage were detected. The skyscraper is occupied by shopping centers and offices.

In 2008, the construction of a skyscraper was completed in Shanghai, which, due to its unusual shape, acquired the name “opener”. The design of such a unique structure was drawn up by the American architect David Mallott. Construction began in 1997, but due to financial problems, construction was delayed for more than 10 years. In addition, during the work, changes were made to the project, which complicated the construction process. Today, the 101-story skyscraper, 492 m high, is occupied by shopping centers, a hotel, offices, and a museum.

The eighth place among the tallest skyscrapers on the planet is occupied by the Petronas Towers. These are 2 high-rise buildings connected by the world's largest air bridge. Skyscrapers have become the property of Malaysia. They were built in the capital of the country - Kuala Lumper. The height of these giant twins is 451.9 m. The area of ​​​​the towers is used to maximum benefit. In order not to take up too much space to connect the 88 floors, two-story elevators were installed in the skyscraper. The building is occupied by offices and halls for exhibitions and conferences.

In 2009, in one of the largest metropolises of China, Nanjing, the opening of the ninth tallest skyscraper on the planet took place - the Nanjing-Greenland financial center. The business center of Nanjing is concentrated in the Zifeng Tower. Its 89 floors are occupied by offices, retail spaces, and entertainment venues. The tower, whose height is 450 m, also has an observatory accessible to everyone.

The tenth tallest skyscraper on the planet is the Willis Tower. The building is located in the American metropolis of Chicago. Its height is 443.1 m. Construction, which started in 1970, was carried out at a record pace, and less than three years later the skyscraper was officially opened. The Willis Tower was considered the tallest skyscraper for about 25 years and lost the championship in 1998 to the Petronas Towers.

It is generally accepted that the first skyscraper in the world was built in 1891 in the USA - it was The Home Insurance Building, erected in Chicago. The height of the 10-story building was only 42 m, however, at the end of the 19th century it seemed cyclopean. The structure only stood until 1931, as it was replaced by much taller buildings.

Where are the tallest skyscrapers in the world?

The United States has long lost its leadership in the number of skyscrapers - at the beginning of this century, America was confidently pushed into second place by China. There are 281 skyscrapers in Hong Kong alone, with another 117 built in Shanghai. The two highest-rise cities in the United States, New York and Chicago, boast only 226 and 110 skyscrapers, respectively.

As for super-tall buildings, which include houses with a height of more than 300 m, the United Arab Emirates and India hold the palm - 23 such mega-skyscrapers were built in Dubai, and 18 ultra-tall buildings in Mumbai. Well, the tallest buildings - the true record holders, which will be discussed in our rating - are concentrated in only four countries - Saudi Arabia, China, the USA and South Korea.

TOP 10 tallest skyscrapers in the world

10. International Commerce Center in Hong Kong (China): height – 484 m, 118 floors

The construction of this skyscraper was completed in 2010, and, interestingly, it was built by the operator of the Hong Kong metro. Initially it was assumed that the building would be 75 m higher, in which case it would have entered the top five tallest skyscrapers in the world. However, at the design stage it turned out that in Hong Kong it is forbidden to build houses higher than a local landmark, Mount Victoria, and the building had to be “cut down.”

However, all the same, in one of the areas it received world championship, becoming the tallest hotel in the world, because... The upper floors (from 102 to 112) were occupied by the five-star Ritz-Carlton hotel.

The remaining areas are given over to representative offices of world-famous companies, chic restaurants, residential premises and even swimming pools. The total area of ​​the Hong Kong Tower premises is 262.2 thousand square meters. m, and its visitors are served by 83 elevators, of which 30 are high-speed. The building is the center architectural ensemble multi-storey part of Hong Kong and fits well into the urban landscape. Every year it attracts at least a million tourists who want to see the city from the observation deck located on the hundredth floor. This pleasure costs about 13 dollars.

9. World Financial Center in Shanghai (China): height – 492 m, 101 floors

The unofficial name of this unusual-looking skyscraper is “opener”. And, indeed, the upper part of the building is very reminiscent of a simple tool for uncorking bottles. This form is not only a striking design element, but also an ingenious engineering solution that reduces wind pressure on the structure and increases its stability.

Initially, it was planned to install a giant round window with a diameter of 46 m in place of the upper hole, but this idea caused protest from the Shanghainese, since the window would resemble the coat of arms of Japan (the rising Sun), and the Chinese, as we know, do not like the Japanese.

The area of ​​the premises of the Shanghai World Financial Center is 373.3 thousand square meters. m, they house hotels, restaurants, conference rooms and numerous offices. There is an observation deck on the top floor. The pride of the architects of the Shanghai Tower is its increased security. Despite its gigantic size, it will withstand an earthquake of up to magnitude 7, and every 12th floor is equipped with a reinforced frame, reinforced with alloy steel and equipped with a special ventilation system. This allows such places to be used for evacuation of people in case of fires and other emergencies.

8. Skyscraper Taipei 101 in Taipei (Taiwan): height – 508 m, 101 floors

The architects of this building claim that in reality it has 106 floors, since 5 are underground and are used as parking lots and to house technical services. In any case, this skyscraper is the tallest in Taiwan; it is a source of pride and a calling card of this small state. The building was built in 2003 and has an original design in the style of ancient Chinese pagodas. Taipei 101 is equipped with incredibly fast elevators. They are capable of reaching speeds of up to 60 km/h (like a car!), thanks to which you can rush from the foot to the observation deck on the 89th floor in just 39 seconds. Since Taiwan is an earthquake-prone island, the building is equipped with a unique stabilizer.

Between the 87th and 91st floors, a giant pendulum ball weighing 660 tons is mounted, designed to smooth out vibrations of the structure during strong winds and in the event of earthquakes.

The area of ​​the building reaches 412.5 thousand square meters. m, there are hundreds of shops, clubs, restaurants, hotels and, of course, offices of large companies. Interesting feature The highlight of the skyscraper is its unusual lighting system, which changes color depending on the day of the week. Thanks to this, even the most forgetful Taipean always knows whether today is Saturday or Monday, because all you have to do is look at Taipei 101, which is visible from any corner of the Taiwanese capital.

7. CTF Financial Center in Guangzhou (China): height – 530 m, 111 floors

The CTF Finance Center tower in Guangzhou is one of the “youngest” skyscrapers on the planet - its construction was completed in 2016. This made it possible to incorporate the most advanced achievements of engineering into the building’s design. This is where the fastest elevators in the world operate, rising at speeds of up to 75.6 km/h or 21 m/sec! The total area of ​​the building reaches 398 thousand square meters. m. In addition to traditional offices, the CTF Finance Center tower houses hotels, shops, cafes and even 414 residential apartments.

During rush hour, up to 30 thousand people are here at the same time, i.e. population of a small town. Another feature is the cladding of the facades with real ceramics, which no super-tall building on Earth can boast of.

The architects chose this solution in order to emphasize the continuity of the CTF Finance Center with traditions - the first American skyscrapers of the 19th and early 20th centuries were finished with beautiful terracotta panels. The stability of the structure is ensured by its special stepped shape, which made it possible to bring wind resistance to almost zero. There are special terraces on the ledges of the skyscraper, which are extensions of the conference rooms, so the CTF Finance Center is a popular place for congresses, meetings and forums.

6. 1 World Trade Center or Freedom Tower in New York, USA: height – 541 m, 104 floors

Construction of this skyscraper was completed in 2014. It was erected on the site of the twin towers of the World War II, destroyed as a result of the attack. shopping center and is part of a memorial in memory of those killed. The building has become the tallest in the United States; it also holds the American record for the height of the spire (124 m), which is made of steel and weighs 758 tons. The interior area of ​​the Freedom Tower is 242 thousand square meters. m, there are numerous offices, media editorial offices, restaurants and observation decks.

The pride of the architects is a gigantic hall 24 m high, occupying several lower floors. From here you can take high-speed elevators to almost anywhere in the building.

The exterior decoration of the building is also very unusual, which consists of more than two thousand prism-shaped elements made of blue glass, each measuring 4x1.2 m. They create a bizarre play of light, thanks to which the facades seem to sparkle and shimmer with reflections, and the skyscraper itself seems weightlessly voluminous. At the top of the Freedom Tower spire there is a super-powerful spotlight that sends a vertical beam of light to a height of 300 m - this beam is visible from anywhere in New York. Since the construction of the Freedom Tower uses reinforced concrete and high-strength steel, the building is considered one of the safest skyscrapers in America.

The height of 1 World Trade Center in traditional American feet is exactly 1776 - it was in this year that the United States gained independence from Great Britain, which is another symbol that this skyscraper carries.

5. Lotte World Tower in Seoul, South Korea: height – 555 m, 123 floors

This skyscraper is the “youngest” among the super-tall buildings in the world - it was fully opened only in April 2017. The Lotte Tower can be called a “long-term construction” - the building began to be erected back in 2005, but it soon became clear that it is forbidden to build houses of this height next to the local airport. It was possible to eliminate this limitation only in 2009, but even after that the construction was quite delayed.

In general, the cost of approvals and permits amounted to $100 million - this figure was announced by the chairman of the development company, so bureaucracy and corruption in South Korea, apparently, are still the same.

Today the skyscraper is a pearl, one might say the “main building” of Seoul and attracts thousands of tourists. The area of ​​its premises reaches 304 thousand square meters. m, which houses hundreds of boutiques, offices, restaurants and hotels. The middle floors are occupied by residential apartments, and at the very top there are prestigious VIP premises rented by world-famous companies. The last few floors are occupied by an observation gallery, which can accommodate up to 900 people at a time. It is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the highest observation deck (478 m) with a glass floor. Admission costs $23.

4. Pinan International Financial Center in Shenzhen, China: height – 599 m, 115 floors

The original design of this building involved the construction of a skyscraper 660 m high by installing a large spire. In this case, the structure would come out on top in China and second in height in the world. However, the development company Ping An was forced to abandon such an ambitious plan, since the financial center was located near the Shenzhen airport and could interfere with flights. The developers did not skimp on finishing materials - the facade of the building is lined with light plates of natural stone, which gives the building sophistication and intelligence.

The Pinan Center has a wide base and extensive floors - the total area of ​​its premises is 468.6 thousand square meters. m, which is noticeably larger than most skyscrapers of comparable height.

Since Shenzhen is something of a Chinese Silicon Valley, the offices in the mega-skyscraper were purchased not only by financial institutions, but also by numerous electronics companies, service centers, and IT firms. In addition, the building houses restaurants, hotels and observation decks for tourists. The house was put into operation only in 2017, so many floors of the building are still empty and waiting for their owners.

3. Royal Clock Tower (Abraj al-Bayt) in Mecca, Saudi Arabia: height – 601 m, 120 floors

This unique skyscraper is head and shoulders above any of its competitors in terms of interior space, which reaches a record 1.5 million square meters. m. This is due to the fact that in addition to the central tower, the Abraj al-Beit complex includes six more buildings with a height of 240 to 260 m. Their main purpose is to receive Muslim pilgrims performing the Hajj to Mecca in order to see the main shrine of Islam - the sacred stone Kaaba. It is located literally 100 meters from the skyscraper inside a cubic building, and you can see it directly from the windows of the building.

Every year, the Clock Tower hotels receive up to 100 thousand visitors, who have a giant shopping center, parking for 800 cars and numerous restaurants offering dishes that comply with Islamic canons.

A distinctive feature of the skyscraper is the giant clock mounted in its upper part. The diameter of the dial reaches 43 m, and the length of the hands is 17 and 22 m, thanks to which the timer readings are visible from many areas of Mecca. Second unique feature Royal Tower- the world's largest gilded crescent with a diameter of 23 m, installed on a spire 43 m high. The building is equipped with an unusual lighting system, which is created by 44 powerful spotlights, 21 thousand flashing lamps and more than 2.2 million LEDs.

2. Shanghai Tower, China: height – 632 m, 128 floors

This building was commissioned in 2016 and embodies the most advanced achievements of engineering science. The skyscraper is made up of nine cylinder sections placed one on top of the other and is equipped with double walls along its entire length. Between the joints of the sections there are atriums planted with exotic trees and plants - these places are called “sky gardens”. Here you can relax your soul, enjoying the bird's eye view of Shanghai. Double walls also have a purely practical meaning, creating an additional air layer that promotes heat conservation.

The Shanghai Tower has a special “twisted shape”, thanks to which it is able to withstand even hurricane wind gusts of up to 51 m/sec.

A spiral gutter mounted along the entire height of the structure collects rainwater, which is then used in air conditioning and heating systems. The area of ​​the skyscraper is 380 thousand square meters. m - offices, shops, hotels, shopping centers and public areas are traditionally located here. Visitors are served by innovative elevators from Mitsubishi, moving at a speed of 18 m/sec, and there is an observation deck right on the roof of the building, which offers an amazing view of Shanghai.

1. Burj Khalifa skyscraper in Dubai, United Arab Emirates: height – 828 m, 163 floors

This superstructure, ahead of its time, was built back in 2010, but until now nowhere has its height record been surpassed. The Burj Khalifa is not only the largest skyscraper in the world, but also the tallest structure on the planet ever built, surpassing even television towers and radio masts. According to the architects' idea, the Dubai Tower was supposed to become a “city within a city”, having all the necessary public services, its own TV channels, shops, parks, boulevards and even its own observatory. In general, this plan was brought to life - you can live in a skyscraper for years without even descending to the mortal coil.

It is interesting that the entire hundredth floor of the building was bought by the Indian billionaire Bavagutu Raghuram Shetty, who arranged 3 apartments of 500 sq. m. here. m each.

The area of ​​the Burj Khalifa premises is 344 thousand square meters. m, and 57 high-speed elevators serve residents and visitors. Since Dubai has a very hot climate and lack of water, the building's designers developed a whole system for collecting it. Moreover, we are not talking about rain moisture (there is practically no rain in the UAE), but about condensation, which forms in considerable quantities inside the skyscraper. Thanks to this, even if water is turned off in all the Emirates, the residents of Burj Khalifa will not be affected.

What about in Russia? The completed Lakhta Center in St. Petersburg will become the 11th tallest in the world

The largest skyscraper in Russia today is the 95-story Federation Tower in Moscow. Its height is about 374 m, this is the tallest building in Europe and is one of the thirty largest skyscrapers in the world. However, very soon it will be “surpassed” by the Lakhta Center, which is being completed in St. Petersburg, which, together with the spire, will have a height of 463 meters. This will allow it to take an honorable 11th place in the list of top skyscrapers on the planet in 2018 and, undoubtedly, become the largest “northern” building on Earth.

Lakhta Center will accommodate about 400 thousand square meters. m of premises that will house the office of Gazprom and representative offices of many other companies.

Unlike overly functional Western skyscrapers, the St. Petersburg high-rise building has room for a children's research and educational center, a medical complex, a huge planetarium, a transforming cinema and concert hall, and even an amphitheater for showing water shows. At an altitude of 357 m there is an observation deck from which a panorama of the entire St. Petersburg and its northern environs will open.

Following the Lakhta Center in Russia, it is planned to commission the 100-story Akhmat Tower in Grozny with a height of 435 m. It will be completed presumably in 2020 and this building will have every chance of entering the top twenty top skyscrapers in the world.

The most outstanding marvels of engineering in modern architecture!

10. Gherkin, London

30 Mary Ax, known as the Gherkin, rises in London's main financial district. The 40-story building reaches a height of 180 meters. The building uses energy-saving electrification methods, allowing it to use half the energy that a structure of this size would typically require. The headquarters of the reinsurance company Swiss Re is located within the walls of the skyscraper.

9. Bank of China Tower, Hong Kong


The most recognizable building in the skyscraper capital of the world, Hong Kong. Reaching a height of 305 meters, from 1989 to 1992 it was tallest building throughout Asia. The exterior design elements of the skyscraper resemble bamboo - a symbol of longevity and prosperity. True, Feng Shui practitioners criticized the skyscraper for its sharp lines. A small observation deck is open on the 43rd floor of the building.

8. Willis Tower, Chicago


108-story skyscraper in Chicago. When it opened in 1973, it was the tallest building in the world, surpassing the World Trade Center in New York. The observation deck on the 103rd floor of the skyscraper is Chicago's most famous landmark. On a clear day, you can see not only all of Chicago from there, but also the opposite shore of Lake Michigan. Before its renaming in 2009, the skyscraper was called the Sears Tower.

7. Shanghai World Financial Center, Shanghai


The 101st floor of the Shanghai World Financial Center houses offices, hotels, observation decks and shops. In 2007, the skyscraper reached a height of 492 meters, becoming the tallest building in all of China, including Hong Kong. The most distinctive feature of its design is the huge “hole” at the top. Initially, this element was planned to be made round, but this caused a number of protests due to the fact that this design was too similar to the rising sun on the Japanese flag. In the final version, the circle was replaced with a trapezoid, thanks to which, according to many, the skyscraper resembles a giant bottle opener.

6. Taipei 101, Taiwan


The skyscraper, reaching a height of 508 meters, was the tallest building in the world until 2007, when it was overtaken by the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. The special design of the skyscraper allows it to withstand typhoons and earthquakes, which are not uncommon in Taiwan. The number of floors in the building - 101 - is timed to coincide with the meeting of the new century, at the beginning of which the skyscraper (100+1) was erected.

5. Chrysler Building, New York


Art Deco skyscraper in eastern Manhattan. Its height is 319 meters; for 11 months, until the construction of the Empire State Building in 1931, it was the tallest building in the world. It is a classic example of Art Deco architecture and is considered by many modern architects to be the most beautiful building in all of New York.

4. Burj Khalifa, Dubai


The tallest building on the planet and the main attraction of Dubai rises to an unprecedented height: 818 meters. The lower 37 floors are occupied by the Armani Hotel. From the 45th to the 108th floor there are luxury apartments, and the uppermost part of the building is reserved for offices. The observation deck, which offers a breathtaking view of ultra-modern Dubai, is located on the 124th floor of the skyscraper.

3. Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur


Until 2004, these skyscrapers in the capital of Malaysia were the tallest buildings in the world, until they were overtaken by the Taipei 101 skyscraper. Be that as it may, they remain the tallest twin buildings in the world to this day. Their most famous feature is the “sky bridge” connecting the buildings at the 42nd floor level. It is built in such a way that, if necessary, it can be “pulled” inside buildings to protect it from possible hurricanes. The bridge plays an important role in the security system: if an emergency occurs in one of the buildings, people can quickly evacuate to the neighboring tower.

2. Burj Al Arab, Dubai


One of the tallest and most fashionable hotels in the world, the very appearance of which evokes associations with luxury and a beautiful life. It reaches a height of 321 meters. Located on artificial island 280 meters from the shore. Not everyone can afford to enter its territory: one night in a hotel costs from 1.5 to 30 thousand dollars!

1. Empire State Building, New York


Although the Empire State Building has not been the tallest building in the world for many decades, it still remains one of the most recognizable symbols of New York. For 40 years, he held the world palm in height. It was built in 1931 during the Great Depression, and for many years most of its offices were empty. Until 1950, the skyscraper did not bring benefits to its owners. The building houses one of the most visited observatories in the world, offering spectacular 360-degree views of New York City!