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
Retail Centers | Aug 31, 2015
Urban developers add supermarkets to the mixes
Several high-rise projects include street-level Whole Foods Markets.
Multifamily Housing | Aug 27, 2015
Architects propose shipping container tower to replace slums
The firm says approximately 2,500 containers would be needed to complete the design, which aims to accommodate as many as 5,000 people.
Multifamily Housing | Aug 25, 2015
London multifamily building to have transparent swimming pool designed by Arup
Residents and visitors will be able to swim 10 stories above ground, and see views of London.
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.
