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
High-rise Construction | Aug 14, 2015
Pei Cobb Freed designs ‘glass sail’ tower for Shenzhen
The 29-story tower won’t be the tallest in the city, but it will set itself apart from surrounding, glimmering towers with gently curved façades, resembling sails blown by the wind.
High-rise Construction | Aug 12, 2015
Construction begins for Kengo Kuma-designed twisted Rolex tower in Dallas
Japanese architect Kengo Kuma designs tower with gradually rotating floor plates for Rolex's new office in Dallas.
High-rise Construction | Aug 11, 2015
Calatrava's Turning Torso wins CTBUH's 10 Year Award
The 623-foot, 57-story tower was the world's first twisting skyscraper. Completed in 2005, the building, designed by Santiago Calatrava, rotates 90 degrees along its height.
High-rise Construction | Aug 7, 2015
Tribute tower to cricket world champs will be Sri Lanka’s tallest
The 1996 Iconic Tower will be a tribute to the country’s cricket team, which won the World Cup in 1996.
Vertical Transportation | Aug 5, 2015
ThyssenKrupp’s maglev elevator test tower almost ready
The 761-foot concrete tower will enable the manufacturer to test its maglev elevator prototypes. The new elevators will be moved by magnets, allowing for vertical and horizontal movement of multiple cars in one shaft.
High-rise Construction | Aug 4, 2015
Construction of Vietnam’s tallest building commences in Ho Chi Minh City
A 1,509-foot skyscraper broke ground on the banks of the Saigon River in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
High-rise Construction | Jul 29, 2015
Jerusalem to get a high-rise pyramid by Daniel Libeskind
Are pyramids making a comeback? The city of Paris recently approved a triangle-shaped building that stirred controversy from residents. Now, the city of Jerusalem gave Libeskind's pyramid tower the go-ahead.
High-rise Construction | Jul 28, 2015
Work begins on KPF's 'flared silhouette' tower in Manhattan
The 62-story, 157-unit luxury condo tower widens at the 40th floor, resulting in a gently flared silhouette, accented by a sculpted crown.
Codes and Standards | Jul 27, 2015
New York City changing zoning rules to reduce shadows cast by high rises
For decades, the New York City’s zoning rules have made it hard to construct high-rise buildings that seem airy and minimize the shadows they cast. The city planning department is now working to change that.
High-rise Construction | Jul 20, 2015
Morphosis' Casablanca Finance City tower to be topped with crown-shaped pinnacle
The tower will anchor a new business district being planned, similar to the glass and concrete business La Défense section at the outskirts of Paris.
