For centuries, humanity has been fascinated with building higher and higher. From the Great Pyramid of Giza, which reigned as the tallest structure for over 3,800 years, to today’s gleaming skyscrapers of glass and steel, tall buildings have symbolised ambition, wealth and national pride.
The modern skyscraper era began in 1885 with Chicago’s 138-foot Home Insurance Building, widely considered the first of its kind. Since then, records have been broken again and again – first in the United States, later across Asia and the Middle East.
Here, we count down the seven tallest buildings in the world today.
7. One World Trade Center – 541 m (1,776 ft)
New York City, United States (2014)
Standing at 1,776 feet, One World Trade Center is both a technical achievement and a powerful symbol. Its height (in feet) is a deliberate reference to the year the United States Declaration of Independence was signed.
Built on the site of the original Twin Towers destroyed in the September 11 attacks, the building opened in 2014 as the centrepiece of the rebuilt World Trade Center complex. It has 94 floors above ground, with five more underground, and is the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere.
The tower combines office space, an observation deck, and broadcasting facilities. Beyond its size, it represents resilience – a design rooted in both safety and symbolism, becoming one of the most recognisable structures in the world.
(Image: Getty)
6. Lotte World Tower – 555 m (1,819 ft)
Seoul, South Korea (2017)
South Korea’s tallest building is a striking, tapered skyscraper with 123 floors above ground. Its glass exterior reflects the curves of traditional Korean ceramics while embracing futuristic design.
One of its highlights is the Sky Bridge Tour, which allows visitors to walk across a bridge at 541 metres – almost the exact height of One World Trade Center. It also boasts the world’s highest glass-floored observation deck, offering 360-degree views of Seoul.
Inside, the tower houses a luxury hotel, offices, retail spaces, concert halls, and even an aquarium. It is not only a landmark of modern engineering but also a hub of commerce and culture in South Korea.
(Image: Getty)
5. Ping An Finance Centre – 599 m (1,966 ft)
Shenzhen, China (2017)
At nearly 600 metres tall, the Ping An Finance Centre dominates Shenzhen’s skyline. Built as the headquarters of the Ping An Insurance Group, it contains office space, a hotel, retail facilities, and a conference centre, along with a high-end shopping mall.
One of its standout features is Free Sky, the observation deck on the 116th floor, sitting at 562.5 metres. At the time of completion, it was the highest observation deck in the world. Visitors are treated to sweeping views over one of China’s most dynamic cities.
(Image: Getty)
4. The Clock Towers – 601 m (1,972 ft)
Mecca, Saudi Arabia (2012)
The Clock Towers complex, officially part of the King Abdulaziz Endowment Project, is a group of seven skyscraper hotels located just 300 metres from the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Islam’s holiest site. Its centrepiece, the Makkah Royal Clock Tower, rises to 601 metres, making it the tallest clock tower in the world.
Each side of the tower features a clock face measuring 43 by 43 metres – the largest in existence. Above them is a spire topped with a crescent, bringing the total height close to 2,000 feet. Behind the clocks lies the Clock Tower Museum, which includes exhibitions on astronomy and Islamic heritage.
The tower’s creation was controversial, as it required the demolition of the 18th-century Ajyad Fortress. Still, it now serves as one of the most iconic buildings in the Middle East, catering to millions of pilgrims who travel to Mecca every year.
(Image: Getty)
