In the world of tall building construction, projects can stall for any number of reasons—financial, political, cultural—and for long periods of time.
The CTBUH Research team, in the latest installment of Tall Buildings in Numbers, has undertaken to find the top 20 tallest never-completed buildings, and the 15 longest construction periods from 1985 to the present, listing the stop and start dates, and last known status of these 35 projects.
We learned a lot along the way, turning up some interesting findings on familiar names and long-forgotten projects alike, including:
• Now over 28 years since it started construction, Ryugyong Hotel in Pyongang holds the record for longest construction period by over seven years.
• There are 50 buildings 150 meters or taller currently on hold (i.e., construction had started and stopped, but is planned to resume) around the world.
• The Palace of Soviets in Moscow was actually started in 1937, but construction was halted during frame construction with the coming of World War II. It would have been topped with a statue of Joseph Stalin, making it the world’s tallest structure
• Now over 28 years since it started construction, Ryugyong Hotel in Pyongang holds the record for longest construction period by over seven years.
CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE Source: CTBUH
CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE Source: CTBUH
Related Stories
Architects | Feb 11, 2022
How computer simulations of vision loss create more empathetic buildings for the visually impaired
Here is a look at four challenges identified from our research and how the design responds accordingly.
Healthcare Facilities | Feb 10, 2022
Respite for the weary healthcare worker
The pandemic has shined a light on the severe occupational stress facing healthcare workers. Creating restorative hospital environments can ease their feelings of anxiety and burnout while improving their ability to care for patients.
Architects | Feb 8, 2022
Perkins Eastman and BLT Architects merge
Expanding services in hospitality, education, and mixed-use sectors to better serve clients.
Architects | Feb 3, 2022
SmithGroup elevates Mark Adams to lead workplace practice
In his new role, Adams leads the firm’s practice devoted to the design of corporate and commercial facilities.
Architects | Feb 2, 2022
Steven L. Pliam joins LEO A DALY as Design Technology Leader
Pliam will oversee the deployment and use of technologies such as computational design, parametric design, digital practice, reality capture, visualization, virtual/augmented reality, GIS and AI/Machine Learning.
Architects | Jan 31, 2022
Heatherwick Studio proposes new public waterfront site for Seoul
Heatherwick Studio was recently selected as part of the team by the Seoul Metropolitan Government to create a new sports and cultural district for the city.
Retail Centers | Jan 31, 2022
Amazon Style: Amazon’s latest innovative physical shopping experience
In January, Amazon unveiled plans to build a physical fashion store concept, dubbed Amazon Style, in Los Angeles. The e-commerce giant says the store will offer “together the best of shopping on Amazon–great prices, selection, and convenience–with an all new shopping experience built to inspire.”
Sponsored | BD+C University Course | Jan 30, 2022
Optimized steel deck design
This course provides an overview of structural steel deck design and the ways to improve building performance and to reduce total-project costs.
Laboratories | Jan 28, 2022
3 must-know strategies for developers in today’s life sciences industry
While the life sciences industry had been steadily growing, this growth exploded when the pandemic arrived—and there is no indication that this lightning-fast pace will slow down any time soon.
Cultural Facilities | Jan 27, 2022
Growth in content providers creates new demand for soundstage facilities
Relativity Architects' Partner Tima Bell discusses how the explosion in content providers has outpaced the availability of TV and film production soundstages in North America and Europe.