The tallest skyscraper in the world. The tallest skyscrapers in the world Comparison of skyscrapers in the world

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).


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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 on 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 of the 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.


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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 TV. In total, the opening ceremony was broadcast on television and was watched by more than two billion people around the world.

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.


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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.


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— 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 electricity for itself: 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.

Floor Purpose
160-163 Technical
156-159 Communications and broadcasting
155 Technical
139-154 Offices
136-138 Technical
125-135 Offices
124 Observation deck
123 Sky lobby
122 Restaurant At.mosphere
111-121 Offices
109-110 Technical
77-108 Apartments
76 Sky lobby
73-75 Technical
44-72 Apartments
43 Sky lobby
40-42 Technical
38-39 Hotel apartments
19-37 Hotel rooms
17-18 Technical
9-16 Hotel rooms
1-8

Hotel

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 of the architectural ensemble of the 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. An interesting feature 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 Trade Center destroyed in the attack and is part of a memorial in memory of the victims. 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 façade 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. The second unique feature of the Royal Tower is the world's largest gilded crescent with a diameter of 23 m, mounted 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.

Human nature cannot be changed; people have always tried to surpass their own achievements and set new records in absolutely any area of ​​their activity.
So in architecture, in an attempt to conquer the limits of height, people erect the tallest buildings in the world. With the development of technology, the invention of modern composite materials and the creation of fundamentally new building designs, only in the last 25 years has it become possible to construct the tallest buildings on the planet, the sight of which is simply breathtaking!
In this rating we will tell you about the 15 tallest buildings in the world that are definitely worth seeing.

15. International financial center - Hong Kong. Height 415 meters

Construction of the Hong Kong International Financial Center was completed in 2003. The building is completely commercial, there are no hotels or residential apartments, but only offices of various companies.
The 88-story skyscraper is the sixth tallest building in China and is one of the few buildings to have double-deck elevators.

14. Jin Mao Tower - China, Shanghai. Height 421 meters

The official opening ceremony of the Jin Mao Tower in Shanghai took place in 1999, at a construction cost of more than $550 million. Most of the building's premises are office, there are also shopping centers, restaurants, nightclubs and an observation deck, which offers a gorgeous view of Shanghai.

More than 30 floors of the building are rented by the largest hotel, the Grand Hyatt, and the prices here are quite affordable and affordable for tourists with average incomes; a room can be rented for $200 per night.

13. Trump International Hotel and Tower - Chicago, USA. Height 423 meters

Trump Tower was built in 2009 and cost the owner $847 million. The building has 92 floors, of which boutiques and various shops occupy the 3rd to 12th floors, a luxurious spa salon is located on the 14th floor, and the elite Sixteen restaurant is located on the 16th floor. The hotel occupies the 17th to 21st floors, with penthouses and private residential apartments above.

12. Guangzhou International Financial Center - China, Guangzhou. Height – 437 meters

This tallest skyscraper was built in 2010 and has 103 floors, and is the western part of the Guangzhou Twin Towers complex. Construction of the eastern skyscraper should be completed in 2016.
The cost of constructing the building was $280 million; most of the building is occupied by office space, up to the 70th floor. From the 70th to the 98th floor is occupied by the five-star Four Seasons Hotel, and on the top floors there are cafes, restaurants and an observation deck. There is a helipad on the 103rd floor.

11. KK 100 – Shenzhen, China. Height 442 meters.

The KK 100 skyscraper, also known as Kingki 100, was erected in 2011 and is located in the city of Shenzhen. This multifunctional building was built in the modernist style and most of the premises are for office purposes.
The 23rd floor of this one of the tallest buildings in the world is occupied by a six-star premium business hotel “St. Regis Hotel, there are also several chic restaurants, a beautiful garden and the first IMAX cinema built in Asia.

10. Willis Tower - Chicago, USA. Height 443 meters

The Willis Tower, formerly known as the Sears Tower, rises 443 meters in height and is the only building in this ranking built before 1998. Construction of the skyscraper began in 1970 and was fully completed in 1973. The cost of the project was more than $150 million at the prices of that time.

After completion of construction, Willis Tower firmly occupied the status of the tallest building in the world for as long as 25 years. At the moment, in the list of tallest buildings, the skyscraper is on the 10th line of the list.

9. Zifeng Tower - Nanjing, China. Height 450 meters

Construction of the 89-story skyscraper began in 2005 and was completed in 2009. This building is multifunctional, there are office spaces, restaurants, cafes and a hotel. There is an observation deck on the top floor. There are also 54 freight lifts and passenger elevators built in Zifeng Tower.

8. Petronas Towers - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Height 451.9 meters

From 1998 to 2004, the Petronas Twin Towers were considered the tallest buildings in the world. The construction of the towers was financed by the Petronas oil company, and the project amounted to more than $800 million. Nowadays, building premises are rented by many large corporations - Reuters agency, Microsoft corporation, Aveva company and others. It also houses high-end shopping establishments, an art gallery, an aquarium and a science center.

The design of the building itself is unique; there are no other skyscrapers in the world built using the Petronas Towers technology. Most high-rise buildings are built from steel and glass, but in Malaysia the cost of high-quality steel was very high and engineers had to look for another way to solve the problem.

As a result, high-tech and elastic concrete was developed, from which the towers were built. Experts carefully monitored the quality of the material and one day, during routine measurements, they discovered the slightest error in the quality of concrete. The builders had to completely dismantle one floor of the building and build it anew.

7. International Commerce Centre, Hong Kong. Height 484 meters

This 118-story skyscraper rises 484 meters. After 8 years of construction, the building was completed in 2010 and is now the tallest building in Hong Kong and the fourth tallest building in China.
The upper floors of the skyscraper are occupied by the five-star Ritz-Carlton hotel, located at an altitude of 425 meters, making it the tallest hotel on the planet. The building also features the world's highest swimming pool, located on the 118th floor.

6. Shanghai World Financial Center. Height 492 meters

Built for $1.2 billion, the Shanghai World Financial Center is a multi-functional skyscraper that houses office space, a museum, a hotel, and a multi-story parking lot. Construction of the center was completed in 2008, and at that time the building was considered the second tallest structure in the world.

The skyscraper has been tested for seismic resistance and is able to withstand tremors of up to 7 points on the Richter scale. The building also houses the highest observation deck in the world, located at an altitude of 472 meters above the ground.

5. Taipei 101 – Taipei, Taiwan. Height 509.2 meters

The official operation of the Taipei 101 skyscraper began on December 31, 2003, and this building is the most stable and resistant to natural disasters structure ever created by man. The tower is able to withstand wind gusts of up to 60 m/s (216 km/h) and the strongest earthquakes that occur in this region once every 2,500 years.

The skyscraper has 101 ground floors and five floors underground. On the first four floors there are various retail outlets, on the 5th and 6th floors there is a prestigious fitness center, from 7 to 84 various office premises are occupied, 85-86 are rented by restaurants and cafes.
The building holds several records: the fastest elevator in the world, capable of transporting visitors from the fifth floor to the 89th floor to the observation deck in just 39 seconds (elevator speed 16.83 m/s), the world's largest countdown board, which turns on for the New Year and the world's tallest sundial.

4. World Trade Center - New York, USA. Height 541 meters

The construction of the World Trade Center, or as it is also called the Freedom Tower, was fully completed in 2013. The building stands on the site of the World Trade Center.
This 104-story skyscraper is the tallest structure in the United States and the fourth tallest building in the world. The construction cost was a whopping $3.9 billion.

3. Royal Clock Tower Hotel - Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Height 601 meters

The grandiose structure “Royal Clock Tower” is part of the Abraj Al-Bayt complex of buildings built in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Construction of the complex lasted for 8 years and was fully completed in 2012. During construction, two major fires occurred, in which, fortunately, no one was injured.
The Royal Clock Tower can be seen from a distance of 20 km, and its clock is considered the tallest in the world.

2. Shanghai Tower - Shanghai, China. Height 632 meters

This skyscraper is the tallest in Asia and ranks second on the list of tallest buildings in the world. Construction of the Shanghai Tower began in 2008 and was fully completed in 2015. The cost of the skyscraper was more than 4.2 billion dollars.

1. Burj Khalifa - Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Height 828 meters

The tallest building in the world is the monumental Burj Khalifa skyscraper, rising to a height of 828 meters. Construction of the building began in 2004 and was fully completed in 2010. Burj Khalifa has 163 floors, most of which are occupied by office space, hotels and restaurants, several floors are reserved for residential apartments, the cost of which is simply incredible - from $40,000 per sq. m. meter!

The cost of the project cost the developer, Emaar, $1.5 billion, which paid off literally in the first year after the building was officially put into operation. The observation deck at Burj Khalifa is especially popular, and to get to it, tickets must be purchased in advance, several days before the visit.

Kingdom Tower

In the hot sands of the Arabian desert, construction began on the largest and grandest structure in the history of mankind. We did not include this building in our rating, since a lot of time will pass before its construction is completed. This is the future Kingdom Tower, which will rise to a height of 1007 meters, and will be 200 meters higher than the Burj Khalifa.

From the highest floor of the building it will be possible to view the area at a distance of 140 km. The construction of the tower will be very difficult; due to the enormous height of the skyscraper, building materials will be delivered to the highest floors of the structure by helicopters. The initial cost of the facility will be $20 billion

What is the tallest building in the world?
It is safe to say that the championship has returned to the Middle East for a long time. The well-known pyramid of Cheops, 146.5 m high, was the tallest building in the world for almost 3800 years (until 1311). Time will tell how long the current favorite will stay in first place.

1. Burj Khalifa– the tallest skyscraper in the world was built in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The height with the spire is 829.8 m, the number of floors is 163. The grandiose construction of the century began in 2004 and ended in 2010. The total cost of the project was approximately US$1.5 billion. The height of the Burj Khalifa tower is almost 1.5 times higher than other skyscrapers in the world.

The developer of the Burj Khalifa skyscraper project is the American architectural firm Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, which designed the legendary Willis Tower in Chicago back in 1973. Construction was carried out by the South Korean company Samsung Engineering & Construction, which also built the Petronas Twin Towers and Taipei 101. The design of the Burj Khalifa skyscraper combines Arabic structural elements and futuristic fantastic scales. This giant tower rises to the heavens, and its scale is impossible convey neither words nor photographs.

Still from the movie “Mission: Impossible 4: Secret Protocol.” Remember how desperately Tom Cruise fought against the glass facade of the Burj Khalifa skyscraper?

Upon completion of its construction, the Burj Khalifa skyscraper took first positions in many technical criteria. One of them is the fastest elevator in the world. The third highest and second largest open observation deck in the world on the 124th floor (452 ​​m). The world's second largest swimming pool on the seventy-sixth floor. The world's highest Nightclub on the 144th floor. The world's highest restaurant on the 122nd floor. At the foot of the tower there is a fountain of record value ($217 million): illuminated by 6,600 lights and 50 color spotlights, 275 m in length, the height of the fountain reaches 150 m. The tallest skyscraper, Burj Khalifa in Dubai, has become a world landmark and a miracle of modern times. construction.

2. Abraj Al-Bait Towers, also known as Mecca Royal Tower Clock The hotel is a development in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, which opened in 2012. Construction has been underway since 2004. The world's second tallest skyscraper, Abraj Al-Bait Towers (601 m, 120 floors), was erected a few meters from Islam's main shrine, Masjid al-Haram, the largest mosque in the world, mainly to modernize services for pilgrims. However, the construction caused a great resonance among the world cultural community. Since the ancient 18th century Ottoman fortress, which stood on top of a hill overlooking the Great Mosque, was demolished.

Abraj Al-Bait Towers houses 20 shopping centers, a hotel, apartments for permanent residence, a garage for more than 1,000 cars, and two heliports. In total, up to 100,000 people can be accommodated inside the tower. The Abraj Al-Bait Towers complex holds several records: the tallest clock tower in the world, the largest clock face in the world and the building with the largest floor area in the world. Thus, in 2012, the list of the tallest skyscrapers in the world was replenished with another “pearl” of the east.

3. Taipei 101 – The third tallest skyscraper (509 m) is located on the island of Taiwan, in the central city of Taipei. Construction was carried out by Samsung C&T Corporation from 1999 to 2004. The opening took place on December 31, 2004, accompanied by colorful New Year's fireworks from the tower. Until 2010, Taipei 101 was the tallest skyscraper in the world and the first to be built in the 21st century. Taipei 101 is 101 floors above ground and 5 floors underground. The design of the building represents the unity of the evolution of technology and Asian traditions, according to the philosophy of Feng Shui. It is no coincidence that the number 101 is a constant cycle of time, repeating from January 1, 1-01, it is the traditional number of perfection 100 greater than 1, it is also a binary number system used in digital technologies. The tower has a series of eight segments, each with eight floors. In Chinese culture, the number eight is associated with abundance, prosperity and happiness. in digital technologies 8 bits. is the basic (minimum) unit of information. The original design of the tower is reminiscent of Asian pagodas (the connection between earth and sky), or a bamboo stalk (a symbol of learning and rapid growth). “Ancient coins” are installed on the pedestal of the tower on three sides above the entrance, as a symbol of wealth.

But it's not just symbols that protect the tallest skyscraper located in the seismically unstable Asia-Pacific region. The developers, CY Lee & partners, claim that the building can withstand storm winds of up to 60 m/s and strong earthquakes. High-performance steel structures and a super strong tower base make Taipei 101 one of the most stable buildings ever built. In addition, in 2011, Taipei 101 received the title of “world's tallest green building” due to its environmentally friendly, energy-saving innovations.

4. Shanghai World Financial Center– an elegant modern skyscraper with a height of 492 m was built in Shanghai from 1997 to 2008. This is a multifunctional building with offices, hotels, conference rooms, observation decks and shopping centers on the lower floors. The developer is the American architectural firm Kohn Pedersen Fox and the Japanese construction company Japanese Mori Building Company. Shanghai World Financial Center won the Best Completed Skyscraper Award in 2008 for its beautiful building design.

A distinctive feature of the skyscraper is a trapezoidal opening at the peak, which helps reduce wind pressure. The original design of the hole was round, as a symbol of the Earth and the celestial circle (according to Chinese mythology) or the “Chinese Moon Gate” (a round hole in a garden wall). But to high-ranking officials, including the mayor of Shanghai, it was more reminiscent of the symbol of Japan - the rising sun. Therefore, the project was changed to an easier to implement and less expensive option. Now the building has received the unofficial name “bottle opener”. It is currently the tallest skyscraper in China, but the Shanghai Tower, 632 m high, is being built nearby and is scheduled for completion in 2014.

5. International Commerce Center (abbreviated as ICC Tower) in Hong Kong. This is a 118-story skyscraper with a height of 484 m. Construction was carried out jointly by MTR Corporation Limited and Sun Hung Kai Properties from 2002 to 2010. Developed by American architectural firm Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates. It is currently the fifth tallest skyscraper in the world and the third building in terms of number of floors. On the 118th floor there is an indoor pool and bar (OZONE), this is the record-highest pool in the world.




The observation deck on the 100th floor is called Sky100. From here you can enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of the city.

6. Petronas Towers, also known as the Petronas Twin Towers, is located in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia. The height of the skyscraper is 451.9 meters, 88 floors and 5 basements. The Petronas Twin Towers were the tallest skyscrapers from 1998 to 2004, until they were surpassed by Taiwan's Taipei 101 skyscraper. The massive construction began in 1992 and was expected to be completed in six years. Such a short construction time required the involvement of two construction consortiums: a Japanese consortium led by Hazama Corporation and a South Korean consortium led by Samsung C&T Corporation. At the same time, three factories produced high-strength reinforced concrete, in case one of the batches of concrete did not meet the quality.

Argentine architect Cesar Pelli (designer of the Petronas Towers) successfully reflected Islamic motifs in the post-modern design of the skyscraper. Thus, the horizontal section of the tower resembles the Muslim symbol of Rub el-Hizb (the intersection of two squares). On the 41st and 42nd floors, the towers are connected by the two-story Skybridge, which is the tallest two-story bridge in the world. In addition to its technical purpose (reducing deviations from strong gusts of wind), the “sky bridge” symbolizes “a portal to the sky... a door to infinity.”

One of the Petronas Twin Towers is fully occupied by oil giant Petronas and its subsidiaries. The other tower is rented out for offices.

7. Zifeng Tower– a skyscraper with a height of 450 m is located in the city of Nanjing, China. Just a little short of reaching the twin towers. The 89-story building was opened in 2010 (construction began in 2005). The developer is the American architectural firm Skidmore, Owings and Merril, led by Adrian Smith, who also designed the world's tallest skyscraper, the Burj Khalifa. On the lower floors of the Zifeng Tower there are shopping centers and offices, and on the upper floors there are hotels, restaurants and an observatory at the top. The building is of non-standard architecture, has a completely different appearance depending on the viewing point. The facade of glass and steel, like armor, sparkles in the sun.

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8. Willis Tower– A 108-story building with a height of 442 m (without antenna) is located in Chicago. Construction began in 1970 and was completed in 1973. The chief architect is Bruce Graham, the chief designer (project engineer) is Fazlur Khan. Since its opening, the Willis Tower skyscraper has become the tallest skyscraper in the world for 25 years, just slightly exceeding the twin towers World Trade Center in New York. In 1998, the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, with a height of 452 m, including decorative spiers, were declared the tallest buildings in the world. There has been some controversy about this: do spiers and antennas count as architectural height? We came to an agreement that the antennas do not fit into the final height of the building, but the spiers do.

Take a closer look at the symbolic design of the Willis Tower skyscraper - these are 9 square pipes, as if growing from a single base. All 9 pipes are single until the 50th floor, then 7 pipes rise to the 66th floor, 5 rise to the 90th and only 2 reach the 110th floor. There are two television antennas on the roof. The cladding of black aluminum and dark glass stands out from other skyscrapers. Despite its advanced age, Willis Tower remains the most beautiful skyscraper in the world.

On the 103rd floor of the skyscraper there is a unique observation deck. After recent reconstruction it became completely transparent. Not everyone will dare to step onto such a “fragile” balcony at an altitude of 412 meters, but there are still those who want to tickle their nerves and get a historical photo with Chicago in the background.

9. Kingkey 100– a skyscraper with a height of 441.8 m is located in China, the city of Shenzhen (construction from 2007 to 2011). The 100 floors of the skyscraper are occupied by the KK Mall shopping center, office space (68 floors), the St. Regis Hotel (22 floors) and four floors of the top of the dome are occupied by a “sky garden” and restaurants. The futuristic, streamlined skyscraper was designed by British architect Terry Farrell. The interior design of the building is also impressive with smooth lines, plenty of light and a fantastic sense of the future. Today, Kingkey 100 is the 4th tallest skyscraper in China and the 9th tallest skyscraper in the world.

10. Guangzhou International Finance Center(better known as West Tower Guangzhou) - a skyscraper with a height of 438.6 m has 103 floors and 4 basements. Located in Guangzhou, which is the largest trading port and the third largest city (12,780 thousand) in China. Construction took place from 2005 to 2010. The project developer is the international architectural firm Wilkinson Eyre Architects, based in London. (Another famous project of hers is the Gateshead Millennium Bridge.) 66 floors are used as offices, 67 and 68 are technical floors, from 69 to 98 are the Four Seasons Hotel, and floors 99 and 100 are used as an observation deck. This is the west tower of the Guangzhou Twin Towers project. The Guangzhou East Tower is still under construction.

The height of skyscrapers and other structures is growing every year. More and more new projects are being developed, the number of floors in which is steadily increasing. Today we will look at the tallest and most interesting buildings in the world, and also touch on future projects that will break the current “high-rise” record.

Higher than the Eiffel Tower

Burj Khalifa is currently the world's largest skyscraper. Its height is 838 m. The building is located in Dubai. The project was developed by the Americans, and its implementation was entrusted to a South Korean company.

The skyscraper is three times taller than the Eiffel Tower and is shaped like a stalagmite. An elegant and neat building with a height of 838 m includes 164 floors. The first one is underground. There is everything here - hotels, restaurants, shops, observation decks and even apartments. The skyscraper also boasts the highest observation deck, located at an altitude of 452 m.

There are 58 elevators in operation. In the first months after opening, the building had problems with electricity and elevators. But they were soon resolved. The Khalifa Tower is actively visited by curious tourists. Today it is one of the most famous skyscrapers.

Shanghai Tower

Shanghai Tower is the second largest skyscraper in the world. Its height is 632 m. It neighbors another skyscraper, the Shanghai World Financial Center, which rises 492 m above the ground.

The tower has an interesting twisted design. This can be seen in the photo. This shape adds stability to it. At the top there is a gutter to collect rainwater and use it for heating and air conditioning. The tower is equipped with the fastest elevators in the world - 69 km/h.

However, it is impossible to admire the beauty of the city from the height of the building - the walls of the building have a second layer that maintains the optimal temperature in it.

Royal Clock Tower

This building is located in Mecca (Saudi Arabia) and is part of the Abraj Al-Bait complex, consisting of 7 towers. However, the clock tower is the tallest of them all. Its height is 601 meters and contains 120 floors. The skyscraper is also unique with the largest clock dial with a diameter of 43 m. At night, when the lights are turned on, they can be seen from a distance of 30 km.

The top of the spire is decorated with a crescent moon - one of the main symbols of Islam. Its weight is 35 tons. At night, the tower is a stunning sight, attracting the attention of a huge number of people.

It is noteworthy that the complex is residential. In addition to apartments, it also houses a five-star hotel. And, of course, there is everything you need for a comfortable life - shops, restaurants, conference rooms and even 2 helipads.

Taipei 101

This unique skyscraper is located in the capital of Taiwan - Tanbei. Its spire height is 509 m. The shape of the building is truly unique and even slightly resembles the trunk of a palm tree. On the 87th-88th floors there is an unusual pendulum ball weighing 660 tons. It not only adds color to the interior. The fact is that the ball compensates for gusts of wind. The steel frame and foundation made of piles, going 80 meters deep into the ground, can withstand the strongest earthquakes. This allows the building to be considered one of the safest in the world during natural disasters. In 2002, an earthquake occurred with a magnitude of almost 7.0. The building survived. But at the same time, there is an opinion that it was the construction of the skyscraper that provoked the tremors.

New York Towers

In 1931, the tallest skyscraper in New York was built in just 13 months. This is the Empire State Building. Its height is 441 m (along the spire) and 381 m - along the roof. There are 102 floors here. The Empire State Building remained the largest skyscraper in the world until 1972.

In 2012, World International Center 1 (or Freedom Tower) was built in lower Manhattan in New York City. Its height is 541 m. Today, the Freedom Tower is not only the tallest skyscraper in New York, but throughout America.

Skyscrapers of Moscow

Dozens of skyscrapers rise in the capital of Russia today. Every now and then rumors appear about new, even larger-scale projects. In 2014, the Federation Tower complex was erected - the tallest skyscraper in Moscow. It consists of two towers named “East” and “West”. “East”, whose height is 374 m, has 97 floors, and “West” - 63 (242 m) floors. Both buildings are equipped with high-speed elevators.

It is Vostok that still remains the “high-rise” leader among Moscow skyscrapers.

Pin'an Financial Center

The Ping'an International Financial Center is a complex of skyscrapers. It is located in China, in the city of Shenzhen. The height of one of the towers from the peak is 599 m. The center was opened in 2017. It took 8 years to build this skyscraper. Next to it is a tower, also part of the complex. Its dimensions are more modest - 307 meters in height.

Super tall skyscraper in Seoul

In April 2017, one of the largest skyscrapers in the world was opened. The building is located in the capital of South Korea, in the area of ​​the Lotte World Tower entertainment complex. Its construction began in 2005. The height of the building is 555 m. The 123 floors of this majestic structure are divided into shops, offices and apartments, and a hotel. The highest observation deck in Korea is located on the last three floors.

In May 2017, climber Jane Kim climbed to the top of this skyscraper. At the same time, the girl did not use a special structure. She managed to conquer the summit in 2 hours and 30 minutes.

The most expensive skyscraper in the world

The construction of one skyscraper costs more than $1,000,000,000. However, the government spent $3,900,000,000 on World International Center 1. The Freedom Tower (the center's second name) was built on the site of the Twin Towers, which collapsed in 2001. This tragedy affected many American families whose members died during the terrorist attack.

The most expensive skyscraper, which was sold for $5.15 billion, was a building in Hong Kong. The deal took place quite recently, in November 2017. In the entire history of buying and selling skyscrapers, this one became the most expensive. Previously, the high-rise building belonged to CK Asset, a company whose owner is recognized as the richest person in China. Li Ka-shing sold the building to a large consortium.

Skyscrapers of the future

Despite the fact that Budj Khalifa still retains its status as the tallest skyscraper in the world (how many floors are in the building, indicated above), future projects promise to be even larger.

Already in 2020, several impressive skyscrapers should be ready, the height of which will exceed a kilometer.

The Dubai Crete Harbor Tower project promises to create a structure that will significantly exceed the height of the famous Khalifa Tower. The name of this structure is still unknown, but journalists have already discovered its approximate parameters.

The height of the spire will be 1014 m, and the height of the roof will be 928 m. However, these figures are inaccurate, because the project is kept secret. Construction is estimated at $1 billion.

The foundation was laid in October 2016. The opening of the tower should take place before the Expo 2020 exhibition, which will be held in Dubai. Perhaps the skyscraper can become a symbol of the capital of the UAE, like the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Whether this is so, we will find out in a few years.

Jeddah Tower is another large-scale project. It is also planned to be completed by 2020. However, construction is proceeding quite slowly - the foundation was laid back in 2013, and by 2016 only 47 floors were ready. The height of the completed skyscraper will be 1007 m.

The tower is being built in the desert of Saudi Arabia. The estimated cost is about $1 billion. In the future, the desert area will be allocated to the Kingdom Center business district, which will include Jeddah.

Tokyo Sky Tree

Tokyo Skytree is the tallest television tower in the world. The building is located in the Sumida area. The height of the tower is 634 m. The structure was erected to transmit a digital television signal to the upper floors of the city's skyscrapers. The building also houses a restaurant and observation deck.

Tokyo Skytree is considered the second largest structure in the world. It was built in a futuristic style. During construction, special attention was paid to the reliability of the structure during natural disasters. According to the architects, a special system compensates for up to 50% of tremors.

Humanity is striving upward. The construction of skyscrapers is becoming larger every year, and their design is becoming more attractive.