World Skyscraper Day 2024: Theme, History, Significance, Fun Facts and the 5 Tallest Buildings

World Skyscraper Day, celebrated every year on September 3, is a tribute to the impressive structures that have transformed cities. These structures are a testament to human creativity, engineering prowess, and an unwavering desire to reach for the skies. Let’s take a look at their history, importance, and some interesting facts.

History of World Skyscraper Day

World Skyscraper Day has its roots in the history of modern skyscrapers. The date was chosen to commemorate the birthday of Louis H. Sullivan, an American architect also known as the Father of Skyscrapers. His work includes impressive designs and layouts. He designed some of the most iconic structures in the United States, such as the Wainwright Building, the Union Trust Building, and the Prudential Building.

Significance: Today, structures at least 150 meters or 465 feet tall are called skyscrapers, and they symbolize wealth and prestige. The day has significant significance, especially in the US, as it commemorates the engineering marvels that the world witnesses today. Previously, the United States enjoyed a global monopoly on skyscrapers, as it accounted for almost all of the tallest structures.

World Skyscraper Day: Interesting Facts

1. At the beginning of the 20th century, a building between 10 and 20 stories was considered a skyscraper.
2. Chicago's Home Insurance Building, built in 1885, was the world's first skyscraper at just 138 metres high.
3. Today, China is the only country with more than 3,000 skyscrapers, with around 120 buildings over 300 meters high.
4. Second on this list is the United States, with a total of approximately 900 skyscrapers, of which 31 are over 300 meters high.
5. India ranks 12th with 122 skyscrapers.
6. The LIC building in Chennai, completed in 1959, marked the beginning of the skyscraper era in India.
7. Currently, the Palais Royale in Bombay, at 320 metres high, is the tallest skyscraper under construction.
8. Burj Khalifa currently holds the title of the tallest building in the world, with a height of 830 meters.
9. The upcoming Jeddah Tower in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, is set to become the tallest building in the world when completed. It is said to be 1 kilometer tall (3,281 feet).

The tallest skyscrapers in the world

1. Burj KhalifaThe iconic Burj Khalifa has held the title of the world's tallest building since its opening in 2010. It is 830 metres tall and consists of 163 floors. It also holds the title of the tallest freestanding structure in the world.
2. Merdeka 118Next on the list is the Merdeka 118 building in Kuala Lumpur, with a height of approximately 679 metres.
3. Shanghai TowerLocated in Shanghai, China, the 128-story building stands at 629 meters and is the third tallest building in the world.
4. Royal Clock Tower of MeccaLocated in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, this skyscraper is around 601 meters high with 120 floors and seven hotels.
5. Ping An International Financial CenterThe center, located in Shenzhen, China, is the fifth tallest building in the world, with a height of 599 meters and 116 floors.

Have you ever visited any of these skyscrapers?