flexiblefullpage -
billboard - default
interstitial1 - interstitial
catfish1 - bottom
Currently Reading

The 75 tallest observation decks in the world

High-rise Construction

The 75 tallest observation decks in the world

Chicago's Willis Tower cracks the top 20 as the Middle East and China dominate the rest of the list compiled by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat.


By Mike Chamernik, Associate Editor | October 8, 2015
The 75 tallest observation decks in the world

Visitors step out onto the Skydeck at Chicago's Willis Tower. The building's observation deck is on the 103rd floor, which is 1,387 feet from ground level. Photo: David Fulmer/Creative Commons

With many skyscrapers across the globe jostling for the title of the world’s tallest building, the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat released a report ranking the world’s highest observation decks.

The list contains 75 prominent buildings, including yet-to-be-completed towers.

Kingdom Tower, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, finished first in the rankings. The thousand-meter-tall (3,280 feet) tower is scheduled to be completed in 2018, and the observation deck will be 2,093 feet high. The deck will be 194 feet higher than No. 2 finisher Goldin Finance 117 in Tianjin, China.

Buildings in China round out the top five. Dubai’s Burj Khalifa was sixth, with a height of 1,824 feet. Chicago’s Willis Tower has the United States’ tallest observation deck, finishing 17th at 1,453 feet.

“Often adding an important source of revenue for the structures that have them, observation decks also change the way people view cities, and can potentially elevate their international reputation,” said the authors of the report.

The Eiffel Tower was the oldest structure on the list. Built in 1889, the observation deck at the Paris landmark is 905 feet off of the ground, which is tied for 51st highest in the world. 

 

Related Stories

Laboratories | Aug 30, 2021

Science in the sky: Designing high-rise research labs

Recognizing the inherent socioeconomic and environmental benefits of high-density design, research corporations have boldly embraced high-rise research labs. 

High-rise Construction | Aug 25, 2021

Summit One Vanderbilt immersive experience and observatory set to open

The project is located in the crown of One Vanderbilt.

Office Buildings | Aug 4, 2021

‘Lighthouse’ office tower will be new headquarters for A2A in Milan

The tower, dubbed Torre Faro, reimagines the company’s office spaces to adapt to people’s ever-changing needs at work.

High-rise Construction | May 27, 2021

The anti-high rise: Seattle's The Net by NBBJ

In this exclusive video interview for HorizonTV, Ryan Mullenix, Design Partner with NBBJ, talks with BD+C's John Caulfield about a new building in Seattle called The Net that promotes wellness and connectivity. 

Mixed-Use | Apr 22, 2021

Jakarta’s first supertall tower tops out

The project will anchor the Thamrin Nine development.

High-rise Construction | Jan 20, 2021

Casablanca Finance City Tower becomes Morphosis’ first project in Africa

The tower is the first building completed in Casablanca Finance City.

Products and Materials | Sep 23, 2020

A new portable restroom is designed for mobility

Lendlease invented the H3 Wellness Hub, which can include natural lighting and UV bacteria control.

High-rise Construction | Mar 20, 2020

Edge, the Western Hemisphere’s highest outdoor skydeck opens

The attraction is part of 30 Hudson Yards.  

High-rise Construction | Nov 6, 2019

AS+GG releases design scheme for the South HeXi Yuzui Financial District and Tower

The firm won an international design competition for the project in 2018.

High-rise Construction | Oct 7, 2019

A giant shipwreck sculpture highlights the proposal for Prague’s tallest building

Sculptor David Černý and architect Tomáš Císař from the studio Black n´ Arch designed the project.

boombox1 - default
boombox2 -
native1 -

More In Category




halfpage1 -

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021