The tallest skyscrapers are freestanding structures such as the CN Tower in Toronto (opened 1976), which measures 1,815 ft (553 m), and the Ostankino Tower in Moscow (opened 1967), which is 1,771 ft (540 m) high, and the Oriental Pearl TV Tower (2001), with a giddy height of 1,535 ft (468 m), in Shanghai, is the world's third tallest TV tower. By convention, however, a building is defined as being primarily for human habitation with the greatest majority of its height divided into occupiable floors.

The height of a building is measured from the sidewalk level of the main entrance to the structural top of the building. This includes spires but does not include television antennas, radio antennas, or flagpoles. By this definition the tallest buildings are the twin Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

These twin towers, which opened in early 1997, are a reflection of both Asian and Western influences. Architect Cesar Pelli took his inspiration from geometric shapes in Islamic art, and the scalloped fa?ade is reminiscent of lace - albeit lace made from glass and steel. It took 36,910 tons of steel to build the Petronas Towers. The buildings have 32,000 windows between them; it takes window washers an entire month to wash each tower just once! Linked by a bridge at the 41st and 42nd floors, the Petronas Towers rise 1,483 feet (456 m) off the ground, but they are only 88 stories.

Second highest is the Sears Tower (opened 1974) in Chicago; its 110 stories rise 1,454 ft (443 m) with an additional 253 ft (77 m) for the television antenna on top, making it the world’s third tallest freestanding structure at 1,707 ft (520 m). The next tallest building, the 1,380 ft (420 m) tall Jin Mao Tower (opened 1998) in Shanghai, China, is another example of leadership in skyscraper construction shifting from the United States.

Thus though they squeak past the Sears Tower in Chicago by 33 feet, the Sears Tower can still claim the highest occupied floor (110 stories). The World Trade Center, which was built in the early 1970s, was the world’s tallest only briefly until the Sears Tower was erected in 1973. New York loyalists insisted, however, that when the Trade Center’s antenna was included in the measurement, it still retained its world’s-tallest status.

A number of huge structures are under construction in Asia; the 224-story Centre of India Tower in Katangi, India, will be the tallest of all at 2,222 ft (676 m) when it is completed in 2008. This 224-story, 2222-foot (677m) pyramid-shaped building in Katangi, India was scheduled for 2008. The building is being financed by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the Beatles former spiritual leader, and will be his new world headquarters. The firm designing this tower are known for a previous large development, the Twin Towers in Battery Park City, NYC.

The 7 South Dearborn building in Chicago (scheduled to open in late 2003) will be 108 stories and 1,550 (471 m) high; a mixed residential, office, and retail structure, it will have the world’s highest apartments at 1,177 feet (358 m) above street level.

Among the highest New York skyscrapers are the World Trade Center, which had two unstepped, rectangular towers of 110 stories each, one 1,362 ft (415 m) and the other 1,368 ft (417 m) high; the Empire State, with 102 stories, 1,250 ft (381 m) high; Chrysler, with 77 stories, 1,046 ft (319 m) high; 60 Wall Tower, with 67 stories, 950 ft (290 m) high; and GE (formerly RCA) in Rockefeller Center, with 70 stories, 850 ft (259 m) high.

Tag: Skyscrapers