2020 wasn't the best year for high-rise living, but here we are one year later in 2021 on the road back to "normal", ready to jump into an elevator and soar to new heights.
Living on top of the world may have been put on pause for a while, but the curb appeal of having the highest vantage point in the world's biggest cities is always aspirational.
From Dubai, to Miami to New York developers continue to battle for new heights all with the aim of delivering the world's tallest tower- the ultimate architectural and engineering achievement.
As it stands Dubai currently holds the torch for the Burj Khalifa, but with several cranes climbing into the skies -- but -- will they keep the title?
This is the story of the battle for new heights.
Burj Khalifa, Dubai
Currently the world's tallest tower, Burj Khalifa soars to 2716 feet high. The records don't stop there, Burj Khalifa is also the highest number of stories in the world (160), has the highest occupied floor in the world, tallest observation deck, and elevator with the longest travel distance in the world. Burj Khalifa was developed by Dubai's largest real estate developer Emaar Properties who also take credit for building most of the major areas of the city including the Downtown district that was built around this tower, the Dubai Marina and Dubai Hills Estate - an incredible and vast golf community. Emaar Properties are no stranger to setting world records- they also built the world's biggest fountain connected to the world's largest mall- the Dubai Mall.
Central Park Tower New York
Though Burj Khalifa is currently the world's tallest tower, New York currently holds the title for the world's tallest residential building - Central Park Tower. With sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline (and beyond), the mile-high residents are literally moving in as
we speak- this challenging development started construction in 2014, topped out in 2019 and is just handing over now. Central Park Tower is sometimes dubbed Nordstrom Tower as the first five floors of the tower are occupied by a large store. Developed by Extell and Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, this new skyscraper icon stands tall at 1550 feet hosting 179 exclusive homes. Central Park Tower is the second tallest skyscraper in the Western hemisphere, and the 14th tallest building in the world. This tower is definitely the king of the concrete jungle where dreams are made of.
Waldorf Astoria Residences Miami
Slightly down south, Florida's new development ambitions grow tall...with the recent launch of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel & Residences, Miami. This skyscraper will be the tallest tower in the world south of New York City upon completion serving up 100 stories of top-notch luxury. When complete, the development commits to rise to approximately 1049 feet into the sky. The upcoming record-breaking skyscraper,
designed by Sieger Suarez Architects and design architect Carlos Ott, has a distinctive architectural footprint appearing like stacked building blocks that will light up the Downtown Miami skyline, towering over Biscayne Bay. The developer, PMG, is no stranger to the skies with groundbreaking completed projects, from the Muse Residences in conjunction with Deepak Chopra in Sunny Isles to 111 West 57th Street, located on Midtown Manhattan's Billionaires' Row and the second tallest residential high-rise tower in the U.S. This development is scheduled for completion in 2024, until then we watch and wait.
Many other countries in the world including Saudi Arabia, Greece and China- who currently boast 15 of the world's tallest towers- have ambitious development plans with starchitects including the likes of Foster + Partners to one day hold the crown of "world's tallest tower" but if there is one thing we have learnt in the skyscraper race -- seeing is believing.
Source: The World Property Journal