*indicates buildings I have been in.
1. Burj Khalifa, Dubai*. 163 stories, 829.8m high
Tallest existing structure: 829.8 m (2,722 ft) (previously KVLY-TV mast – 628.8 m or 2,063 ft)
Tallest structure ever built: 829.8 m (2,722 ft) (previously Warsaw radio mast – 646.38 m or 2,121 ft)
Tallest freestanding structure: 829.8 m (2,722 ft) (previously CN Tower – 553.3 m or 1,815 ft)
Tallest skyscraper (to top of spire): 829.8 m (2,722 ft) (previously Taipei 101 – 509.2 m or 1,671 ft)
Tallest skyscraper to top of antenna: 829.8 m (2,722 ft) (previously the Willis (formerly Sears) Tower – 527 m or 1,729 ft)
Building with most floors: 163 (previously World Trade Center – 110)
Building with world’s highest occupied floor
World’s highest elevator installation (situated inside a rod at the very top of the building)
World’s longest travel distance elevators: 504m (1,654 ft)
Highest vertical concrete pumping (for a building): 606 m (1,988 ft)
World’s tallest structure that includes residential space
World’s second highest outdoor observation deck: 124th floor at 452 m (1,483 ft). When it first opened, the observation deck was the highest outdoor observation deck in the World, but it has since been surpassed by Cloud Top 488 on top of Canton Tower.
World’s highest installation of an aluminium and glass façade: 512 m (1,680 ft)
World’s highest nightclub: 144th floor
World’s highest restaurant (Atmosphere): 122nd floor at 442 m (1,450 ft) (previously 360, at a height of 350 m (1,148 ft) in CN Tower)
World’s highest New Year display of fireworks.
World’s second highest swimming pool: 76th floor (world’s highest swimming pool is located on 118th floor of Ritz-Carlton Hotel at International Commerce Centre, Hong Kong).
2. Abraj Al Bait, Mecca, Saudi Arabia 2011 601 1,972 120
3. One World Trade Center, New York City, USA 2013 541.3 1,776 104
4. Taipei 101, Taipei, Taiwan* 2004 509 1,670 101
5. Shanghai World Financial Center, Shanghai* 2008 492 1,614 101
6. International Commerce Centre, Hong Kong* 2010 484 1,588 118
5. Petronas Towers, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia* 1998 452 1,483 88
8. Zifeng Tower, Nanjing, China* 2009 450 1,480 89
9. Willis Tower, Chicago, United States 1974 442 1,450 108
10. Jin Mao Building, Shanghai*, China 1998 421 1,381 88
11. Two International Finance Centre, Hong Kong*2003 415 1,362 88
12. CITIC Plaza, Guangzhou, China* 1997 391 1,283 80
13. Shun Hing Square, Shenzhen, China 1996 384 1,260 69
14. Empire State Building, New York City* 1931 381 1,250 102
15. Central Plaza, Hong Kong* 1992 374 1,227 78
BEST URBAN PANORAMAS
The CN Tower, the Empire State Building, Seattle’s Space Needle – these landmarks are some of the best places to see a modern metropolis. Here are ten more
1. Parc de Belleville, 7th arrondissement, Paris. This 45,000 sq. m hilltop park is the highest in Paris with a different view. Has a toboggan hill, streams and waterfalls and a vineyard.
2. Piazzo Duo Bell Tower, Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence, Italy. Construction of Forence’s central cathedral began in the 13th century and finished in the 15th with the addition of the soaring dome from which it derives its nickname, Il Duomo. 463 steps to great view of Tuscan capital.
3. Sugarloaf Mountain*, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This shoreline granite monolith is 396m high. Climb Sugarloaf’s brother, Morro Da Urca in 40 minutes to catch the Sugarloaf cable car.
4. Taipei 101, Taipei, Taiwan*. 508 m high and 101 floors, this was the world’s tallest building until 2010. Observation decks on the 88th and 91st floors has a 730 tonne pendulum that stabilizes the building during earthquakes and typhoons.
5. Stawamus Chief*, Squamish BC. Hike the backside trail to see waterfalls and old-growth forests or zip up on the Sea-to-Sky Gondola.
6. Minceta Tower, Dubrovnik, Croatia. Part of a fortress built in 1319 to protect Dubrovnik from invaders. It is the highest point on the old fort walls with great view of Old Town Dubrovnik, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
7. The High Line, New York City. This 2km linear park built on a disused railway spur weaves 9m high among the buildings of Manhattan’s busy West Side. Shops, attractions, tourist guides, vegetation.
8. Sky Tower, Auckland New Zealand. The best views of the city. Skyjump has a 192m freefall.
9. Diamond Head Monument, Honolulu, Hawaii. The most famous volcanic crater on Oahu has an unobstructed view of the south shore. Trail is a challenging scramble featuring tunnels, steep, narrow stairways and a short crawl.
10. Burj Khalifa*, Dubai, UAE. At 830m is the tallest building in the world with many world records. Visit at dusk for views during the day and at night. Watch the fountain display from above. Warning: it takes at least 45 minutes to get to the top from the Dubai Mall entrance so arrive at least that long before your allotted time if it matters.