Tall buildings always draw attention, and in 2015 they're only getting bigger and better. The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat has published a list of its top predictions for skyscrapers in the coming year, noting milestones on individual projects, like the highly anticipated Kingdom Tower, and larger industry trends, such as the use of wood in high-rise construction.
From Moscow to Kuala Lumpur, it looks as if 2015 will hold some major highlights for the tall buildings industry. Here are CTBUH's predictions:
1. New York’s B2 Will Be Back
A legal scuffle between contractor Skanska and developer Forest City Ratner stalled this project in 2014, but it will likely be back on track early in 2015.
2. 2015: Year of the “Woodscraper”?
More than one wood-heavy skyscraper is under construction as we move into the new year, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture will reveal the winner of the $2 million Tall Wood Building Competition.
3. Dubai’s Burj 2020 to Get Under Way
The long-awaited Burj 2020 looks to begin construction in 2015, with shortlisted engineering teams being interviewed in late 2014.
4. Re-imagined Pinnacle Will Be Revealed
The London Pinnacle, only partway finished due to the recession, has been taken on by PLP Architects. Their plans for the project should be unveiled by spring of 2015.
5. Jeddah’s Kingdom Tower Completes 22nd Floor
CTBUH predicts that the tower will complete its 22nd floor by May, with construction currently running at 2.5 floors per month.
6. Las Vegas’ Harmon Hotel Will Finally Come Down
After years of frustration and speculation, the deconstruction of this ill-fated hotel began in 2014, and is on track for completion in 2015.
7. Ping An Finance Center Will Top Out
Shenzhen's Ping An Finance Center should reach its ultimate height by mid-2015.
8. Moscow’s Federation Towers Will Be Completed
If this complex is finished in 2015, its Vostok Tower will be the tallest tower in Europe.
9. Foundation Work for Kuala Lumpur’s KL118 Completed by Q3 2015
Developer KL118 has reported that the foundation for the tower will be laid by the end of 2015's third quarter.
10. Shanghai Tower Will Be Completed
The tower and its glassed-in skygardens are set to open their doors by the end of 2015.
11. China Will Complete 13 Supertalls
Squarely ahead of any other country in this category, if China completes its scheduled 13 supertalls, it will be responsible for 57% of the world's supertall buildings in 2015.
Read CTBUH's "Watch Out for These Tall Happenings in 2015" report.
Related Stories
Architects | Jun 6, 2018
A modest boost in licensed architects in 2017
NCARB’s annual survey shows California and New York leading the pack.
Healthcare Facilities | Jun 6, 2018
French 'Alzheimer’s Village' designed to resemble a medieval bastide
The new facility will provide research on a new way of treating Alzheimer’s patients.
Architects | Jun 5, 2018
Michael Green Architecture joins Katerra
Michael green architecture is a globally recognized leader in mass timber architecture.
Architects | Jun 4, 2018
Changing the way we think about water and design
We have several gaps between the need and desire to have abundant, accessible, clean water and the reality of dealing with on-going and increasing water shortage crises.
Libraries | Jun 1, 2018
New library offers a one-stop shop for what society is craving: hands-on learning
Beyond lending books and DVDs, the Elkridge (Md.) branch library loans household tools like ladders, wheelbarrows, and sewing machines.
| May 30, 2018
Accelerate Live! talk: Seven technologies that restore glory to the master builder
In this 15-minute talk at BD+C’s Accelerate Live! conference (May 10, 2018, Chicago), AEC technophile Rohit Arora outlines emerging innovations that are poised to transform how we design and build structures in the near future.
| May 30, 2018
Accelerate Live! talk: Why the AEC industry must adapt to the Internet of Things boom
In this 15-minute talk at BD+C’s Accelerate Live! conference (May 10, 2018, Chicago), building systems expert Jeff Carpenter explores established and emerging IoT applications for commercial and institutional buildings, and offers a technology roadmap for navigating the IoT landscape.
| May 30, 2018
Accelerate Live! talk: T3 mass timber office buildings
In this 15-minute talk at BD+C’s Accelerate Live! conference (May 10, 2018, Chicago), architect and mass timber design expert Steve Cavanaugh tells the story behind the nation’s newest—and largest—mass timber building: T3 in Minneapolis.
| May 30, 2018
Accelerate Live! talk: From micro schools to tiny houses: What’s driving the downsizing economy?
In this 15-minute talk at BD+C’s Accelerate Live! conference (May 10, 2018, Chicago), micro-buildings design expert Aeron Hodges, AIA, explores the key drivers of the micro-buildings movement, and how the trend is spreading into a wide variety of building typologies.
Market Data | May 29, 2018
America’s fastest-growing cities: San Antonio, Phoenix lead population growth
San Antonio added 24,208 people between July 2016 and July 2017, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.