Constructing the world's tallest skyscrapers used to be an American phenomenon. With such innovative structures as the 1,454-foot Empire State Building in New York and the 1,729-foot Willis Tower in Chicago, it was in the U.S. that 20th-century architects most often reached for the skies.
The 21st century, however, has been a different story. The tallest building in the world now stands in the Middle East, where Dubai's 2,717-foot Burj Khalifa towers above the rest. Yet as the years tick by, the largest recent cluster of staggeringly tall skyscrapers has sprung up in the Far East, specifically in China.
Just a few weeks into the New Year, and 2017 appears set to continue this trend of Chinese dominance. In fact, all five of the world’s tallest skyscrapers scheduled for completion this year are located in the Land of the Red Dragon. Take a look at them here.
Hengqin Headquarters Tower 2
Designed by the German architecture firm Von Gerkan, Marg and Partners, the 1,607-foot-tall skyscraper in Zhuhai, a Chinese city bordering Macau, will be used strictly for office space.
International Commerce Center 1
The 919-foot-tall mixed-use skyscraper (far left) in Chengdu was designed by Hong Kong–based Gravity Partnership and will also be used exclusively for office space.
Riverview Plaza A1
Designed by the esteemed Argentine architect César Pelli, the 1,430-foot-tall skyscraper is situated in the city of Wuhan in eastern China. Construction began in 2013 on the building, which will be used as a hotel and office space while maintaining a LEED Gold certification.
Changsha IFS Tower T1
Hong Kong–based Wong Tung & Partners designed a 1,483-foot-tall skyscraper in Changsha, the capital of Hunan province. It, too, will be used as a hotel and office space.
Suzhou IFC
Standing 1,476 feet above ground, no other skyscraper is the city of Suzhou is taller than the Suzhou IFC. Designed by the renowned firm Kohn Pedersen Fox Assoc. and overlooking Jinji Lake, the building will comprise office space, a five-star hotel, and luxury apartments.
