That makes it an even 100. With the completion of 432 Park Avenue in New York City, the number of so-called “supertall” buildings (buildings standing at least 300 meters tall) in the world has reached the century mark, according to the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat.
Half of those 100 supertall buildings have been constructed in the past five years alone, whereas the first 50 took 80 years to construct, starting with New York City’s Chrysler Building, which opened in 1930.
The majority of new supertall skyscrapers can be found in Asia and the Middle East, with Dubai leading the way for supertalls in a single city with 18. Not all of the action is happening overseas, however, as 432 Park Avenue marks New York City’s seventh supertall building, second only to Dubai’s 18.
The 432 Park Avenue project is unique not only for being the world’s tallest all-residential building, but also for its 1:15 slenderness ratio. Thanks to advances in lateral resistance technology making these slim skyscrapers possible, areas with limited land availability and rising luxury residential prices are beginning to see more and more of this construction type, according to CTBUH.
Over the next five to six years, the construction of supertall skyscrapers is expected to continue to grow. There are currently 130 structures bearing the title of supertall currently under construction or topped out, according to CTBUH data. Among these is Jeddah Tower, which will become the first kilometer-high building, and the world’s tallest building, upon completion in 2018.
Buildings with the supertall label are becoming increasingly common, which means a new distinction for buildings that go above and beyond that label is coming. When the supercar label for automobiles became commonplace, the envelope was pushed again and the distinction of hypercar came about. High-definition television led to ultra-high-definition television. And now, many are looking at “megatall” (buildings standing at least 600 meters tall) to be the new distinction by which skyscrapers are judged. There are currently three completed megatall buildings, with four more set to be finished in the coming years. Jeddah Tower is chief among them.
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.
