flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

The 75 tallest observation decks in the world

High-rise Construction

The 75 tallest observation decks in the world

Chicago's Willis Tower cracks the top 20 as the Middle East and China dominate the rest of the list compiled by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat.


By Mike Chamernik, Associate Editor | October 8, 2015
The 75 tallest observation decks in the world

Visitors step out onto the Skydeck at Chicago's Willis Tower. The building's observation deck is on the 103rd floor, which is 1,387 feet from ground level. Photo: David Fulmer/Creative Commons

With many skyscrapers across the globe jostling for the title of the world’s tallest building, the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat released a report ranking the world’s highest observation decks.

The list contains 75 prominent buildings, including yet-to-be-completed towers.

Kingdom Tower, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, finished first in the rankings. The thousand-meter-tall (3,280 feet) tower is scheduled to be completed in 2018, and the observation deck will be 2,093 feet high. The deck will be 194 feet higher than No. 2 finisher Goldin Finance 117 in Tianjin, China.

Buildings in China round out the top five. Dubai’s Burj Khalifa was sixth, with a height of 1,824 feet. Chicago’s Willis Tower has the United States’ tallest observation deck, finishing 17th at 1,453 feet.

“Often adding an important source of revenue for the structures that have them, observation decks also change the way people view cities, and can potentially elevate their international reputation,” said the authors of the report.

The Eiffel Tower was the oldest structure on the list. Built in 1889, the observation deck at the Paris landmark is 905 feet off of the ground, which is tied for 51st highest in the world. 

 

Related Stories

Wood | Apr 29, 2016

Anders Berensson Architects designs 40-story wooden skyscraper for Stockholm

The structure, which will be made entirely out of cross-laminated timber, will rise 436 feet into the air, making it Stockholm’s tallest building.

High-rise Construction | Apr 28, 2016

bKL Architecture proposes world’s third tallest tower for China

The mixed-use H700 Shenzhen Tower will have sky gardens, angled recesses, and an attached plaza. It will trail only the Burj Khalifa and the Jeddah Tower in terms of height.

Mixed-Use | Apr 24, 2016

Atlanta’s Tech Square is establishing The ATL’s Midtown district as a premier innovation center

A much anticipated, Portman-developed tower project will include collaborative office spaces, a data center, and a retail plaza. 

High-rise Construction | Apr 21, 2016

Ingenhoven Architects unveils plans for two Tokyo towers

The Toranomon District will add a business and a residential high-rise, both of which feature green and energy-efficient design.  

High-rise Construction | Apr 20, 2016

OMA reveals designs for its first Tokyo skyscraper

The goal is for the Toranomon Hills Station Tower to transform its neighborhood and serve as a hub for international business.

High-rise Construction | Apr 12, 2016

Santiago Calatrava tower in Dubai could be taller than the Burj Khalifa

The slender structure will have 10 observation platforms, two Hanging Gardens decks, and a illuminating flower bud at the top.

Virtual Reality | Apr 8, 2016

Skanska will use Microsoft HoloLens to lease planned Seattle high rise

The mixed reality headset will allow people to take a holographic tour of the building while keeping visual contact with the leasing representative.

BIM and Information Technology | Apr 5, 2016

Interactive 3D map shows present and future Miami skyline

The Downtown Miami Interactive 3-D Skyline Map lets users see the status of every downtown office, retail, residential, and hotel project. 

High-rise Construction | Mar 28, 2016

SOM’s Salt Lake City skyscraper uses innovative structural system to suspend itself over a neighboring building

The hat truss-supported office tower was topped off in January, rising 25 stories above the Salt Lake City streets.

High-rise Construction | Mar 18, 2016

'High-Rise' movie, based on the novel of the same name, headed to theaters

The story, which was originally thought to be a critique of London’s city planning, takes place in a high-rise divided to mimic the historical class structure of Western society.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category




Curtain Wall

7 steps to investigating curtain wall leaks

It is common for significant curtain wall leakage to involve multiple variables. Therefore, a comprehensive multi-faceted investigation is required to determine the origin of leakage, according to building enclosure consultants Richard Aeck and John A. Rudisill with Rimkus. 

halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021