Tall buildings always draw attention, and in 2015 they're only getting bigger and better. The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat has published a list of its top predictions for skyscrapers in the coming year, noting milestones on individual projects, like the highly anticipated Kingdom Tower, and larger industry trends, such as the use of wood in high-rise construction.
From Moscow to Kuala Lumpur, it looks as if 2015 will hold some major highlights for the tall buildings industry. Here are CTBUH's predictions:
1. New York’s B2 Will Be Back
A legal scuffle between contractor Skanska and developer Forest City Ratner stalled this project in 2014, but it will likely be back on track early in 2015.
2. 2015: Year of the “Woodscraper”?
More than one wood-heavy skyscraper is under construction as we move into the new year, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture will reveal the winner of the $2 million Tall Wood Building Competition.
3. Dubai’s Burj 2020 to Get Under Way
The long-awaited Burj 2020 looks to begin construction in 2015, with shortlisted engineering teams being interviewed in late 2014.
4. Re-imagined Pinnacle Will Be Revealed
The London Pinnacle, only partway finished due to the recession, has been taken on by PLP Architects. Their plans for the project should be unveiled by spring of 2015.
5. Jeddah’s Kingdom Tower Completes 22nd Floor
CTBUH predicts that the tower will complete its 22nd floor by May, with construction currently running at 2.5 floors per month.
6. Las Vegas’ Harmon Hotel Will Finally Come Down
After years of frustration and speculation, the deconstruction of this ill-fated hotel began in 2014, and is on track for completion in 2015.
7. Ping An Finance Center Will Top Out
Shenzhen's Ping An Finance Center should reach its ultimate height by mid-2015.
8. Moscow’s Federation Towers Will Be Completed
If this complex is finished in 2015, its Vostok Tower will be the tallest tower in Europe.
9. Foundation Work for Kuala Lumpur’s KL118 Completed by Q3 2015
Developer KL118 has reported that the foundation for the tower will be laid by the end of 2015's third quarter.
10. Shanghai Tower Will Be Completed
The tower and its glassed-in skygardens are set to open their doors by the end of 2015.
11. China Will Complete 13 Supertalls
Squarely ahead of any other country in this category, if China completes its scheduled 13 supertalls, it will be responsible for 57% of the world's supertall buildings in 2015.
Read CTBUH's "Watch Out for These Tall Happenings in 2015" report.
Related Stories
Mass Timber | May 17, 2024
Charlotte's new multifamily mid-rise will feature exposed mass timber
Construction recently kicked off for Oxbow, a multifamily community in Charlotte’s The Mill District. The $97.8 million project, consisting of 389 rental units and 14,300 sf of commercial space, sits on 4.3 acres that formerly housed four commercial buildings. The street-level retail is designed for boutiques, coffee shops, and other neighborhood services.
Construction Costs | May 16, 2024
New download: BD+C's May 2024 Market Intelligence Report
Building Design+Construction's monthly Market Intelligence Report offers a snapshot of the health of the U.S. building construction industry, including the commercial, multifamily, institutional, and industrial building sectors. This report tracks the latest metrics related to construction spending, demand for design services, contractor backlogs, and material price trends.
K-12 Schools | May 15, 2024
A new Alabama high school supports hands-on, collaborative, and diverse learning
In Gulf Shores, a city on Alabama’s Gulf Coast, a new $137 million high school broke ground in late April and is expected to open in the fall of 2026. Designed by DLR Group and Goodwyn Mills Cawood, the 287,000-sf Gulf Shores High School will offer cutting-edge facilities and hands-on learning opportunities.
Adaptive Reuse | May 15, 2024
Modular adaptive reuse of parking structure grants future flexibility
The shift away from excessive parking requirements aligns with a broader movement, encouraging development of more sustainable and affordable housing.
Affordable Housing | May 14, 2024
Brooklyn's colorful new affordable housing project includes retail, public spaces
A new affordable housing development located in the fastest growing section of Brooklyn, N.Y., where over half the population lives below the poverty line, transformed a long vacant lot into a community asset. The Van Sinderen Plaza project consists of a newly constructed pair of seven-story buildings totaling 193,665 sf, including 130 affordable units.
K-12 Schools | May 13, 2024
S.M.A.R.T. campus combines 3 schools on one site
From the start of the design process for Santa Clara Unified School District’s new preK-12 campus, discussions moved beyond brick-and-mortar to focus on envisioning the future of education in Silicon Valley.
University Buildings | May 10, 2024
UNC Chapel Hill’s new medical education building offers seminar rooms and midsize classrooms—and notably, no lecture halls
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has unveiled a new medical education building, Roper Hall. Designed by The S/L/A/M Collaborative (SLAM) and Flad Architects, the UNC School of Medicine’s new building intends to train new generations of physicians through dynamic and active modes of learning.
Sustainability | May 10, 2024
Perkins&Will’s first ESG report discloses operational performance data across key metrics
Perkins&Will recently released its first ESG report that discloses the firm’s operational performance data across key metrics and assesses its strengths and opportunities.
MFPRO+ News | May 10, 2024
HUD strengthens flood protection rules for new and rebuilt residential buildings
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued more stringent flood protection requirements for new and rebuilt homes that are developed with, or financed with, federal funds. The rule strengthens standards by increasing elevations and flood-proofing requirements of new properties in areas at risk of flooding.
Government Buildings | May 10, 2024
New federal buildings must be all-electric by 2030
A new Biden Administration rule bans the use of fossil fuels in new federal buildings beginning in 2030. The announcement came despite longstanding opposition to the rule by the natural gas industry.
