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
High-rise Construction | Jul 25, 2019
Could this 500 foot, Bjarke Ingels-designed observation tower rise in San Diego?
The tower would be part of the $2.4 billion Seaport San Diego project.
Building Tech | Jun 26, 2019
Modular construction can deliver projects 50% faster
Modular construction can deliver projects 20% to 50% faster than traditional methods and drastically reshape how buildings are delivered, according to a new report from McKinsey & Co.
High-rise Construction | Apr 11, 2019
Top new skyscrapers for 2019: Salesforce Tower named best worldwide
The San Francisco tower was recognized for its innovations in seismic engineering and a design that "gives back" to the community.
High-rise Construction | Apr 10, 2019
*Updated* A Tulip is ready to bloom in London
Designed by Foster + Partners, the Tulip will rise 1,001 feet and be a new cultural and tourist attraction.
High-rise Construction | Mar 4, 2019
Goettsch Partners' tallest tower ever tops out in China
The tower will become the tallest in Nanning, China upon completion.
High-rise Construction | Feb 8, 2019
Dubai’s newest supertall will be covered in digital displays
SOM designed the tower.
High-rise Construction | Jan 18, 2019
‘Paramount’ will become Nashville’s tallest tower
Goettsch Partners is the project’s architect.
High-rise Construction | Jan 14, 2019
AS+GG-designed tower will be the tallest in China
The tower is at the center of the Shimao Longgang Master Plan.
High-rise Construction | Jan 10, 2019
Indoor-outdoor amenities open leasing value at a San Francisco skyscraper
The amenities that set this 605-foot-tall building apart are its 50,000 sf of outdoor and open spaces that include 14 skydecks and large terraces on its 12th and 28th floors.
High-rise Construction | Dec 13, 2018
Record number of 'supertall' towers were completed in 2018
Citic Tower in Beijing and Vincom Landmark 81 in Ho Chi Minh City are among 18 "supertall" skyscrapers completed this year—a record number, according to the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat.