Architectural design has advanced to a phenomenal stage where every modern city would like to boast of having one of the tallest buildings. While criteria defining the tallest buildings or skyscrapers differ widely, listed below are most popular architectural marvels of our time.

Empire State Building – the 102-storey Art Deco skyscraper is located at New York at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and West 34th Street. Its name is derived from the nickname for the state of New York. It stood as the world’s tallest building for more than 40 years – from its completion in 1931 until the construction of the World Trade Center’s North Tower was completed in 1972. Following the destruction of the World Trade Center in 2001, the Empire State Building is once again the tallest building in New York City and New York State.

Petronas Towers – also known as the Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, they were the world’s tallest buildings before being surpassed by another building in Taipei. However, the towers are still the tallest twin buildings in the world. They were the world’s tallest buildings from 1998 to 2004 if measured from the level of the main entrance to the structural top.

Sears Tower – is a 108-storey, 1,450.58 feet skyscraper in Chicago, Illinois. At the time of its completion in 1973, it was the tallest building in the world, surpassing the World Trade Center towers in New York. Currently, the Sears Tower is the tallest skyscraper in the United States, and the fourth-tallest freestanding structure in the world.

Bank of China Tower – Is one of the most recognized skyscrapers in Central Hong Kong. It houses the headquarters of the Bank of China Hong Kong Limited. The building is located at 1 Garden Road, in Central and Western District on Hong Kong Island.

Chrysler Building – located on the east side of Manhattan in the Turtle Bay area at the intersection of 42nd Street and Lexington Avenue, it is a classic example of Art Deco architecture and considered by many contemporary architects to be one of the finest buildings in New York City. In 2007, it was ranked ninth on the List of America’s Favorite Buildings.

Taipei 101 – is a landmark skyscraper located in Xinyi District, Taipei, Republic of China. The building contains 101 floors above ground and 5 floors underground. Its postmodern style combines Asian and international modern and traditional elements. It is designed to withstand typhoons and earthquakes. A multi-level shopping mall adjoining the tower houses hundreds of fashionable stores, restaurants and clubs.

CN Tower – located in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, this is a communications and observation tower standing 553.33 meters. Despite the loss of its title as the world’s tallest freestanding structure, the CN Tower remains a symbol of Canada.

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