The race for the tallest skyscraper is not over. And if several buildings already far exceed the Eiffel Tower, a disproportionate project could soon reach a new peak.
Skyscrapers have never stopped pushing the boundaries, and today, several concrete and steel giants dominate the skies of many metropolises. Among them, the Shanghai Tower in China, with its 632 meters, is one of the most impressive constructions in the world. This colossal building houses offices, shops, hotels, and even a restaurant perched more than 550 meters high. For its part, the Tokyo Skytree, at 634 meters, stands proudly above the Japanese capital, serving mainly as a broadcasting tower but also as an observation point for tourists.
Another record is held by the Makkah Royal Clock Tower in Saudi Arabia, which stands at 601 meters. This immense complex located in Mecca impresses with its architecture and its gigantic clock, visible from several kilometers around. At its feet, thousands of pilgrims find refuge in its luxury hotels. And what about the Ping An International Finance Center in Shenzhen, China, which, at 599 meters, dominates the city’s business district, symbolizing the region’s growing economic power.
However, these grandiose monuments lag behind the Burj Khalifa, the undisputed giant of Dubai. Since 2010, this dizzying tower, culminating at 828 meters, has held the record for the tallest skyscraper in the world. Its slender profile, visible for miles, embodies the modernity and ambition of the United Arab Emirates. Much more than a simple building, the Burj Khalifa is a true vertical city, bringing together luxury residences, hotels, offices and observation points offering a breathtaking view of the city and the surrounding desert.
But if the Burj Khalifa seems unstoppable, other projects are preparing to shake up this established order. In Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the Jeddah Tower aims to become the first building to cross the symbolic kilometer mark. Once completed, this 1,000 meter tower is expected to far exceed the Burj Khalifa and mark a new turning point in the race to the sky. Its construction is delayed, but forecasts give hope for an opening in the years to come.
Even more ambitious, Tokyo plans to erect the Sky Mile Tower by 2045. This futuristic skyscraper will reach 1,700 meters, more than twice the height of the Burj Khalifa. This project is not just an engineering feat: it is part of a sustainable vision, with the capacity to accommodate more than 50,000 people and resist climate challenges. Tokyo could thus become the new world capital of giant skyscrapers.
Between these titanic constructions and the even crazier projects to come, the human quest for height seems infinite. Each skyscraper is a symbol of national pride and economic power, and the race continues, ever higher, ever further.