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Future top 13 tallest buildings in the world


The paucity of land for developing new architecture is the main reason for vertical expansion. This has led to the most dramatic skylines of cities around the world and the competition increases its pace with new architectural designs being planned in every major city. The race is on, and new structures come up with record-breaking heights. From the US to Asia and the Middle East all are a part of this race. We take a look at the future top 13 tallest buildings (As per records in CTBUH) that will design the skylines around the world.


Jeddah Tower

Jeddah Tower |©Adrian smith+Gordon Gill Architecture CTBUH
  • Official Name: Jeddah Tower

  • Other Name: Kingdom Tower

  • Status: Under Construction (On hold)

  • Country: Saudi Arabia

  • City: Jeddah

  • Building Function: Residential/ Serviced Apartment

  • Structural Material: Concrete

  • Architect: Adrian Smith+Gordon Gill Architecture

  • Height: 1000+ m

1st top tallest building in the future.

The tallest building under construction, Jeddah Tower will be the first man-made structure to reach one kilometer in height. The towers unique shape is inspired by the folded fronds of a sprouting desert plant. Offering the highest man-made viewing platform, the Jeddah Tower comprises a luxury hotel, serviced apartment condominiums, and Office space.


Burj Khalifa

Burj Khalifa | PC: Yong Chuan Tan
  • Official Name: Burj Khalifa

  • Other Name: Burj Dubai

  • Status: Completed

  • Country: United Arab Emirates

  • City: Dubai

  • Building Function: Residential/ Office/ Hotel

  • Structural Material:/SteelConcrete

  • Architect: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP

  • Height: 828 m

2nd top tallest building in the future.

The Burj Khalifa is the current tallest building in the world. It redefined the design and engineering of supertall buildings. The design is derived from the regional Islamic architecture, inspired by a regional desert flower, Hymenocallis or Spider Lily. It is the centerpiece of a large scale, mixed-use development.


Merdeka 118

Merdeka 118 | Photo credits: lera.com
  • Official Name: Merdeka PNB 118

  • Other Name: Heritage of Independence, KL118, Menara Warisan Merdeka, PNB HQ

  • Status: Under Construction

  • Country: Malaysia

  • City: Kuala Lumpur

  • Building Function: Serviced Apartment / Hotel / Office

  • Architect: Fender Katsalidis Architects; RSP Architects Planners & Engineers; G.A. Brand Design

  • Height: 644 m

3rd top tallest building in the future.

Initially known as KL118 (Kuala Lumpur 118), Merdeka 118 is currently under construction and will be the tallest building in Malaysia. The towers off-center spire is inspired by the raised right hand of Tunku Abdul Rahman (regarded as the founding father of Malaysia) seen during the Merdeka Proclamation, representing the nation's independence.


Shanghai Tower

Shanghai Tower | PC: Baycrest@gmail.com
  • Official Name: Shanghai Tower

  • Other Name: Shanghai Center

  • Status: Completed

  • Country: China

  • City: Shanghai

  • Building Function: Hotel / Office

  • Architect: Gensler

  • Height: 632 m / 2,073 ft

4th top tallest building in the future.

Currently, Shanghai Tower is the tallest building in China and the second tallest building in the world. This is a mixed-use tower offering a sustainable way of living in a vertical city. It is one of the most sustainably advanced towers in the world.


Makkah Royal Clock Tower

Makkah Royal Clock tower | © Saudi Bin Laden Group / CTBUH
  • Official Name: Makkah Royal Clock Tower

  • Other Name: King Abdul Aziz Endowment Tower, Makkah Royal Clock Tower Hotel

  • Status: Completed

  • Country: Saudi Arabia

  • City: Mecca

  • Building Function: other / hotel

  • Architect: Dar al-Handasah Shair & Partners; SL Rasch

  • Height: 601 m / 1,972 ft

5th top tallest building in the future.

Standing in the center of Abraj Al-Bait, a high rise complex and surrounded by 6 smaller high rises of varying height is the Makkah Royal Clock Tower. Mounted near the top of the tower the four massive clock faces hold the record of being the highest and largest clocks in the world. The Royal clock tower adds a touch of modernization to the historic center of Mecca.


Ping An Finance Center

Ping An Finance Center | ©Zhou Ruogu Architecture Photography via CTBUH
  • Official Name: Ping An Finance Center

  • Other Name: PAFC, Ping An International Finance Center Tower 1

  • Status: Completed

  • Country: China

  • City: Shenzhen

  • Building Function: Office

  • Architect: Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates

  • Height to the tip: 599.1 m / 1,965 ft

6th top tallest building in the future.

Ping An Finance Center is a very dense, very tall, and hyper-connected skyscraper. The main feature of this tower is the stainless steel facade which will be the largest in the world. The tower is located in the center of the city easing the connectivity.


Goldin Finance 117

Goldin finance 117 | © P & T Group via CTBUH
  • Official Name: Goldin Finance 117

  • Other Name: Walking Stick

  • Status: On Hold

  • Country: China

  • City: Tianjin

  • Building Function: hotel / office

  • Architect: P & T Group

  • Height to the tip: 596.6 m / 1,957 ft

7th top tallest building in the future.

The design of the Goldin Finance 117 tower resembles a walking stick. Crowned by a diamond-shaped atrium, this long slender tower comprises high-end residential, polo field, entertainment venues, retail outlets, training facilities, and green areas.


Lotte World Tower

Lotte World Tower | ©Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates / CTBUH
  • Official Name: Lotte World Tower

  • Other Name: Lotte Jamsil Super Tower, Lotte World Premium Tower

  • Status: Completed

  • Country: South Korea

  • City: Seoul

  • Building Function: hotel / residential / office / retail

  • Architect: Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates

  • Height to the tip: 555.7 m / 1,823 ft

8th top tallest building in the future.

The Lotte world tower is designed as a combination of Modern aesthetics with forms influenced by Korean porcelain, ceramics, and calligraphy. The design of the different interior spaces of the Lotte World Tower is inspired by the traditional Korean art forms.


One World Trade Center

One World Trade Center | © Marshall Gerometta/CTBUH
  • Official Name: One World Trade Center

  • Other Names:World Trade Center

  • Status: Completed

  • Country: United States

  • City: New York City

  • Building Function: office

  • Architect: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP

  • Height to the tip: 546.2 m / 1,792 ft

9th top tallest building in the future.

One World Trade Center is established as a new civic icon of the country, it serves as a symbol of the revitalization of downtown Manhattan and reasserts its preeminence as a business center.


Guangzhou CTF Finance Center

Guanzhou CTF Finance Center | © Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates / Atchain / CTBUH
  • Official Name: Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre

  • Other Names: The CTF Guangzhou, Chow Tai Fook Centre, East Tower

  • Status: Completed

  • Country: China

  • City: Guangzhou

  • Building Function: hotel / residential / office

  • Architect: Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates

  • Height to the tip: 530 m / 1,739 ft

10th top tallest building in the future.

The design of the Guangzhou CTF finance center is determined by its multiple uses. The form of the tower is sculpted at four transition points, office to residential- to hotel- to crown and to the sky. Because of the sculpted setbacks, the tower looks different from every angle.


Tianjin CTF Finance Center

Tianjin CTF Finance Center | © Seth Powers | SOM via CTBUH
  • Official Name: Tianjin CTF Finance Centre

  • Other Names: Tianjin Chow Tai Fook Binhai Center

  • Status: Completed

  • Country: China

  • City: Tianjin

  • Building Function: hotel / serviced apartments / office

  • Architect: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP

  • Height to the tip: 530.4 m / 1,740 ft

11th top tallest building in the future.

This tower is located in the outer district of Tianjin, China. One of the main features is the softly concealing glass skin that incorporates eight sloping mega columns that connect the corners and centers of all four elevations.


Citic Tower

Citic Tower | © H G Esch
  • Official Name: CITIC Tower

  • Other Names: China Zun, Zhongguo Zun

  • Status: Completed

  • Country: China

  • City: Beijing

  • Building Function: Office

  • Architect: TFP Farells, Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates

  • Height to the tip: 527.7 m / 1,731 ft

12th top tallest building in the future.

The design of the CITIC tower resembles "zun", a Chinese ceremonial vessel. The design of the tower is developed on the concept of creating a dramatic form by gradually bending the transforming shells.


Taipei 101

Taipei 101 | ©Taipei Financial Center Corporation / CTBUH

13th top tallest building in the future.

Eliciting the form of a Chinese pagoda the design of Taipei 101 flares outwards rising from its base in a series of 8 story modules.

 

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