For the third year in a row, the number of buildings over 200 meters tall that were completed has increased and broken the previous year’s tally. In 2016, 128 buildings 200 meters tall or taller were completed, according to the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH). The previous record, set in 2015, saw 114 completions of 200 meters or taller. Now, the overall number for buildings at or exceeding 200 meters sits at 1,168, a 441% increase from the 265 that existed in the year 2000.
Of the record-setting 200-meter-tall buildings that were completed in 2016, 18 of them became the tallest in their city, country, or region. Asia had the most 200-meter-tall completions with 107, or a whopping 84% of the 128-building total. 2016 was the fourth year in a row with at least 75% of the 200-meter-plus building completions occurring in Asia. A large portion of these completions were in China, which had the most by a country with a record 84, surpassing its previous high set in 2015 of 68. Among these completions was Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre, which, at 530 meters, stands as the tallest building in Guangzhou, the second-tallest building in China, and the fifth-tallest building in the world.
The Middle East had nine completions of at least 200 meters, matching its total from 2015, and North America had seven completions, a three-building increase from 2015’s four. The United States represented all seven of those North American completions after only completing two in 2015.
Despite the high number of buildings over 200 meters completed, only 10 supertalls (buildings of 300 meters or higher) were finished in 2016. This total was lower than anticipated and is at least in part due to the construction delays that arise when constructing buildings of such immense height. Still, the 10 supertalls completed in 2016 was behind only 2014’s 11 and 2015’s 14.
Looking ahead to 2017, CTBUH is predicting the completion of between 12 and 20 supertalls and between 125 and 150 200-meter-plus buildings overall. The tallest of these projected completions is Ping An Finance Center, which will stand 599 meters and become the second-tallest building in China and the fourth tallest in the world.
For the CTBUH’s full report, click here.
Graphic courtesy of CTBUH
Related Stories
High-rise Construction | Dec 2, 2016
Agora Garden, a twisting, plant-filled tower in Taipei, will absorb 130 tons of carbon dioxide annually once completed
The building sits just a few blocks from the LEED-Platinum certified Taipei 101, the world’s eighth tallest building.
High-rise Construction | Nov 7, 2016
Shanghai Tower wins CTBUH’s “Best Tall Building Worldwide” award for 2016
Shanghai Tower beat out three other finalists selected from 132 entries from around the world for the award.
High-rise Construction | Nov 3, 2016
Two identical Kohn Pederson Fox office towers may be headed to Wacker Drive
Murphy Development Group is looking for tenants for the $800 million project.
High-rise Construction | Nov 1, 2016
The world’s 100 tallest buildings: Which wind consultants have worked on the most?
The top firm has worked on almost half of the world’s 100 tallest buildings.
High-rise Construction | Nov 1, 2016
LEGOLAND Dubai unveils the Brick Khalifa, the world’s tallest LEGO replica building
The model is on display at the newly opened LEGOLAND Dubai.
High-rise Construction | Nov 1, 2016
Winthrop Square will give rise to Boston’s second tallest building
The building will become the tallest residential tower in the city.
Building Team | Oct 31, 2016
The world’s 100 tallest buildings: Who owns and has developed the most?
All but four owners/developers on the list are located in the United Arab Emirates, China, or Hong Kong.
High-rise Construction | Oct 28, 2016
The world’s 100 tallest buildings: Which contractors have worked on the most?
Only one firm has worked on more than 10 of the world’s 100 tallest buildings.
High-rise Construction | Oct 27, 2016
The world’s 100 tallest buildings: Which MEP engineers have worked on the most?
The top firm worked on over three times as many of the tallest buildings as the second place firm on the list.
High-rise Construction | Oct 26, 2016
The world’s 100 tallest buildings: Which structural engineers have worked on the most?
The top firm has worked on almost one-fifth of the 100 tallest buildings in the world.