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10 Tallest Buildings in the US

Official listing of the tallest buildings in the United States.

Updated on

January 29, 2024

New York City’s iconic skyline. PHOTO | FILE

The official list of tallest buildings in the US features the One World Trade Center, Central Park Tower, Willis Tower, 111 West 57th Street, and One Vanderbilt Place, among others.

This list is based on data provided by Emporis, a public database for building information.

1. One World Trade Center

Located in Lower Manhattan, New York City, One World Trade Center tops the list of tallest buildings in the US. The skyscraper, which was completed in 2014, is the main structure of the rebuilt World Trade Center complex that was destroyed in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

One WTC, New York City – 104 (floors); Height: 541 m (1,776 ft) 2014. PHOTO | COURTESY

One World Trade Center became the tallest building in the US in May 2013 when the final component of its spire was installed – pushing the building’s total height to 1,776 feet (541 m).

The height in feet marks the year when the U.S. Declaration of Independence was signed.

One World Trade Center was designed by David Childs and developed by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Other designers were Hill International and The Louis Berger Group. WSP Cantor Seinuk was the structural engineer for the project, while Tishman Construction was the main contractor.

The project was completed for $3.9 billion.

2. Central Park Tower

Also known as Nordstrom Tower, Central Park Tower is the 2nd tallest building in the US and the tallest residential building in the world.

The supertall building, which is located at 225 West 57th Street in Midtown Manhattan, topped out in September 2019 with a completion date of 2021.

Central Park Tower, New York City – 95 (floors); Height: 472 m (1,550 ft) 2020. PHOTO | COURTESY

It houses 179 residences set from the 32nd floor upwards, with the largest apartments having eight bedrooms that occupy more than 1,626 square metres of floor space.

Central Park Tower was designed by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture and developed jointly by Extell and Shanghai Municipal Investment Group.

WSP Global was the structural engineer for the project, while Lendlease was the main contractor.

The project was completed for $3 billion.

3. Willis Tower

Located at 233 South Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois, Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) is a supertall office building that was once the tallest structure in the world for more than two decades.

In fact, at its completion in 1974, Willis Tower beat the World Trade Centre in New York to become the world’s tallest building until 1998 when it was surpassed by Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Willis Tower, Chicago – 108 (floors); Height: 442 m (1,451 ft); 1974. PHOTO | COURTESY

It however remained the tallest building in the United States for 41 years, until 2013 when it was overtaken by the One World Trade Center.

Willis Tower is famous for being home to Skydeck, the highest observation deck in the United States. Located on the 103rd floor at a height of 1,353 feet (412.4 m), Skydeck is toured by more than a million people each year – making it one of Chicago’s most popular attractions.

4. 111 West 57th Street

Also known as Steinway Tower, 111 West 57th Street is a supertall residential building that towers over Manhattan’s Billionaires’ Row on the northern side of 57th Street near Sixth Avenue.

Designed to be the world’s most slender skyscraper, 111 West 57th Street, which is set for completion in 2021, is a colorful addition to the already stunning New York City skyline.

111 West 57th Street, New York City – 84 (floors); Height: 435 m (1,428 ft) 2021. PHOTO | COURTESY

The skyscraper is built on a 60 feet-wide base that makes it the slimmest tower in the world.

111 West 57th Street, which topped out in April 2019, was designed by SHoP Architects and built by JDS Development, Property Markets Group, and Spruce Capital.

The project is estimated to cost $2 billion.

5. One Vanderbilt Place

One Vanderbilt Place, the fifth in the list of tallest buildings in the US, is a supertall office tower at the turn of 42nd Street and Vanderbilt Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, New York City.

Construction of the building, which is owned by SL Green Realty Corp., got underway on February 14, 2017, and the building topped out two months ahead of schedule on September 17, 2019.

432 Park Avenue, New York City – 85 (floors); Height: 426 m (1,397 ft); 2015. PHOTO | COURTESY

Measuring 1.7 million square feet, One Vanderbilt is the second biggest office building in Manhattan, the largest office market in the United States. It was officially opened in September 2020.

One Vanderbilt was designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox. Severud Associates was the structural engineer for the project, while Tishman Construction was the main contractor.

The project was completed for $3.31 billion.

6. 432 Park Avenue

Located at 57th Street and Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, 432 Park Avenue is a supertall residential skyscraper that features 125 condominiums and private restaurants for residents.

At the time of its completion in 2015, 432 Park Avenue became the tallest residential building in the world and the third tallest building in the USA.

432 Park Avenue, New York City – 85 (floors); Height: 426 m (1,397 ft); 2015. PHOTO | COURTESY

The accolades were lost quickly and as of 2021, the skyscraper is the world’s third tallest residential building and the sixth tallest building in the United States.

The 432 Park Avenue, which overlooks Central Park, was designed by Rafael Viñoly and developed by CIM Group and Harry B. Macklowe. SLCE Architects served as the architect of record.

WSP Cantor Seinuk was the structural engineer for the project, while Deborah Berke and the firm Bentel & Bentel designed the interiors of 432 Park Avenue.

The project was completed for $1.25 billion.

7. Trump International Hotel & Tower

The Trump International Hotel & Tower, a supertall condo hotel in downtown Chicago, Illinois is currently the seventh tallest building in the US – reaching a height of 1,388 feet including its sphere.

Initially planned to be the tallest building in the world, the owner – Donald Trump – scaled back the plans after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

Trump Tower, Chicago – 98 (floors); Height: 423 m (1,388 ft); 2009. PHOTO | COURTESY

At the time of its completion in 2009, Trump International Hotel & Tower became the second tallest building in the USA after Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower).

According to its website, the skyscraper – which was designed by architect Adrian Smith of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill – inspired the construction of Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building.

8. 30 Hudson Yards

Also known as North Tower, 30 Hudson Yards is a supertall office building located at the intersection of 33rd Street and 10th Avenue – near Hell’s Kitchen, Chelsea, and the Penn Station area.

The building, which opened on March 15, 2019, after nearly five years of construction, is LEED Gold-designed and was originally planned to be 480m tall before the structure was shortened to 387m.

30 Hudson Yards, New York City – 73 (floors); Height: 387 m (1,270 ft); 2019. PHOTO | COURTESY

On the 100th floor of the 30 Hudson Yards is ‘The Edge’, a 1,131-foot observation deck that is regarded as the highest outdoor observation deck in the Western Hemisphere.

Editor’s Note: Willis Tower and One World Trade Center have higher observation decks at 1,354 feet and 1,268 feet respectively. However, both facilities are enclosed.

30 Hudson Yards was designed by renowned architect Bill Pedersen and Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates, with Related Companies and Oxford Properties Group as co-developers.

9. Empire State Building

Soaring 1,250 feet on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, New York City, the Empire State Building became the tallest building in the world when it was completed in 1931. It held this title for nearly 40 years.

The building, which is called ‘Empire State’ after the nickname of the State of New York, remained the tallest building in the world until 1970 when it was surpassed by the World Trade Center.

Empire State Building, New York City – 102 (floors); Height: 381 m (1,250 ft); 1931. PHOTO | COURTESY

In 2010, the Empire State Building was renovated to make it more energy-efficient. A year later, it became the tallest LEED-certified building in America.

The building was designed by Shreve, Lamb, and Harmon and developed by Empire State Inc., including John J. Raskob and Al Smith. Homer Gage Balcom was the structural engineer for the project, with Starrett Brothers and Eken as the main contractor.

It was completed for $40.9 million ($564 million in today’s money).

10. Bank of America Tower

Located at One Bryant Park, on Sixth Avenue in Manhattan, New York City, Bank of America Tower is a supertall office tower regarded as one of the most efficient and ecological buildings in the world.

Designed by COOKFOX Architects & Adamson Associates Architects, the Bank of America Tower, which was completed in 2009 was built using concrete manufactured with slag, a by-product of blast furnaces.

Bank of America Tower, NYC – 54 (floors); Height: 366 m (1,200 ft); 2009. PHOTO | COURTESY

The use of slag reduces the amount of concrete needed for a building, which subsequently lowers the amount of carbon emissions released during the production of cement.

Bank of America Tower is Certified Platinum LEED for being one of the planet’s most environmentally responsible high-rise office buildings. The building was completed for $1 billion.