Key Findings
- The tallest building in the US is One World Trade Center, in New York City, which soars to a height of 1,776 feet.
- The second tallest building in the US is Central Park Tower, which is 1,550 feet high. It is also the tallest residential building in the world.
- The third highest building in America is the Willis Tower in Chicago, which is 1,451 feet high.
- Twelve of the top twenty tallest buildings in the US are located in New York City, while five are located in Chicago. Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and San Francisco are also each home to one of the tallest buildings in the US.
20 Tallest Buildings in the United States
1. One World Trade Center, New York
Standing tall at 1,776 feet, One World Trade Center is the tallest building in the United States. Known affectionately as One World Trade or One WTC, and once dubbed the Freedom Tower, it boasts an impressive 94 stories, with its top floor labeled as the 104th. Adjacent to this modern marvel lies the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, solemnly marking the ground where the original Twin Towers once stood.
2. Central Park Tower, New York
Central Park Tower stands tall at 225 West 57th Street, nestled within Midtown Manhattan's Billionaires' Row. Reaching a soaring height of 1,550 feet, it proudly claims the title of the second-tallest building in all of New York City and the United States. Within its gleaming facade, 179 luxurious condominiums offer residents unparalleled views of the city skyline. This architectural marvel came to fruition at a staggering cost of $3 billion, cementing its status as an icon of modern luxury living in the heart of the Big Apple.
3. Willis Tower, Chicago
Standing tall at 1,451 feet, Willis Tower, once known as the Sears Tower, rises proudly in the heart of Chicago's Loop neighborhood. Since its opening in 1973, this 110-story skyscraper held the prestigious title of the world's tallest building for almost 25 years. Today, it remains an iconic symbol of Chicago's skyline. Welcoming over 1.7 million visitors annually, its Skydeck observation deck offers breathtaking views, cementing its status as one of the city's top tourist attractions.
4. 111 West 57th Street, New York
111 West 57th Street, also called Steinway Tower, stands tall at 1,428 feet in Midtown Manhattan. It's a really high residential skyscraper. The folks behind it are JDS Development Group and Property Markets Group. Inside, there are 60 fancy condos, 14 in Steinway Hall and 46 in the tower. This tower is super tall, ranking as the fifth-tallest building in the whole United States. It's also the skinniest skyscraper globally, with a super narrow shape, like 1 part wide for every 24 parts tall!
5. One Vanderbilt, New York
One Vanderbilt, a tall building soaring 1,401 feet high, opened its doors in 2020. Standing tall at the corner of 42nd Street and Vanderbilt Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, it boasts 73 stories. This skyscraper, designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox for developer SL Green Realty, primarily houses office spaces. Its towering presence adds to the iconic skyline of New York City, symbolizing modern architecture and urban development.
6. 432 Park Avenue, New York
432 Park Avenue is a super tall building, standing at 1,396 feet high. It's a fancy residential skyscraper found at 57th Street and Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan. The place is known for its super pricey homes, with the average one going for tens of millions of dollars. It's got 84 floors with numbers and even a mezzanine above the ground. Inside, there are 125 condos, plus cool extras like a private restaurant just for the folks who live there.
7. Trump International Hotel and Tower, Chicago
Standing at a towering height of 1,388 feet, the Trump International Hotel and Tower is a striking skyscraper condo-hotel nestled in downtown Chicago, Illinois. Named in honor of Donald Trump, it was crafted by the skilled architect Adrian Smith. The building's design encompasses various amenities, including retail spaces, a parking garage, a luxurious hotel, and elegant condominiums. Originally intended to claim the title of the world's tallest building, plans were adjusted after the tragic events of September 11, 2001.
8. 30 Hudson Yards, New York
30 Hudson Yards is a super tall building soaring up to 1,270 feet in Midtown Manhattan's West Side. One of its cool parts is The Edge, a triangle-shaped spot where you can check out the view. On the 101st floor, there's even a bar and space for events. It used to be where WarnerMedia had their main office, and now it's the main spot for Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co.
9. Empire State Building, New York
The Empire State Building is a super tall skyscraper in Midtown South, standing at a towering height of 1,250 feet with 102 stories. Its name comes from "Empire State," which is what people call New York. Every year, about four million people from all over the world come to see it. It's really famous, showing up in over 250 TV shows and movies.
10. Bank of America Tower, New York
The Bank of America Tower, standing tall at 1,200 feet, is a prominent landmark in Midtown Manhattan, often referred to as 1 Bryant Park. This 55-story skyscraper boasts 2.1 million square feet of office space, with a large portion leased by Bank of America. Completed in 2009, the tower's construction came with a hefty price tag of $1 billion. It's a symbol of modern architecture and a hub of bustling business activity in the heart of New York City.
11. St. Regis, Chicago
Standing tall at 1,198 feet, the St. Regis, previously known as the Wanda Vista Tower, is a 101-story skyscraper located in Chicago, Illinois. Construction began in August 2016 and wrapped up in 2020, with a hefty price tag close to $1 billion. Renowned architect Jeanne Gang lent her expertise to its design, making it the tallest structure globally crafted by a woman. This multi-use supertall skyscraper dominates the skyline, symbolizing modernity and architectural prowess.
12. Aon Center, Chicago
Standing at a towering height of 1,136 feet with 83 floors, Aon Center is a modern skyscraper located east of the Chicago Loop in Chicago, Illinois. Originally known as the Amoco Building, it was designed by the architect firms Edward Durell Stone and The Perkins and Will partnership. Completed in 1973, it briefly held the title of the tallest building in Chicago until it was surpassed by the Sears Tower.
13. John Hancock Center, Chicago
Originally known as the John Hancock Center, the towering skyscraper in Chicago, Illinois, now goes by the name 875 North Michigan Avenue since 2018. Standing tall at 1,128 feet with 100 stories, it's the fifth-tallest building in the city. Housing offices, restaurants, and around 700 condos, it's a bustling hub. Notably, its 44th-floor sky lobby boasts the highest indoor swimming pool in the United States.
14. Comcast Technology Center, Philadelphia
The Comcast Technology Center stands tall in Center City Philadelphia, soaring high with its 60 floors reaching a staggering height of 1,121 feet. It's a supertall skyscraper that dominates the city skyline. Inside, the central floors buzz with activity as offices for Comcast software developers and engineers fill the space, while the lower floors house television studios and retail stores. Construction kicked off in mid-2014 and wrapped up on November 27, 2017, marking a significant addition to Philadelphia's architectural landscape.
15. Wilshire Grand Center, Los Angeles
The Wilshire Grand Center is another tall skyscraper standing at 1,100 feet in downtown Los Angeles, California. Finished up in 2017, it’s the tallest building you’ll find west of Chicago. This building is more than just tall; it’s got a lot going on inside too. It's part of a big complex with a hotel, shops, offices, and even places where you can go up high and see the view. Making this whole thing happen took a whopping $1.2 billion. And guess what? It won a fancy award in 2019 for being structurally excellent!
16. 3 World Trade Center, New York
Standing tall at 1,079 feet with 80 stories, 3 World Trade Center is a significant skyscraper in Lower Manhattan. Originally opened in July 1981 as the Vista International Hotel, it tragically fell victim to the September 11 attacks in 2001, along with the entirety of the World Trade Center complex. However, as part of the reconstruction efforts, a new building was erected in its place as a symbol of resilience and renewal, contributing to the revitalization of the area.
17. Salesforce Tower, San Francisco
Standing at 1,070 feet tall, Salesforce Tower, once called Transbay Tower, looms over San Francisco's downtown in the South of Market district. With 61 floors, it's a giant in the skyline. Its main occupant is Salesforce, a cloud software company. As of 2024, it proudly holds the title of San Francisco's tallest building. But it's not just about height; Salesforce Tower aims to be eco-friendly too, with water-saving features integrated into its design.
18. Brooklyn Tower, New York
Brooklyn Tower is another tall building in Downtown Brooklyn. It's a mix of things, but mostly for people to live in. It's super tall, like 1,066 feet tall, with 74 floors! That's a lot of floors. They used to call it different names, like 340 Flatbush Avenue Extension or 9 DeKalb Avenue. The builders, SHoP Architects, finished it between 2018 and 2022. And get this, it's the first super tall building in all of Brooklyn!
19. 53 West 53, New York
53 West 53, also known as 53W53 and once called Tower Verre, stands tall in Midtown Manhattan, reaching a height of 1,050 feet with 77 stories. Some floors are skipped, making the highest story numbered 87. This supertall skyscraper, finished in early 2020, offers a mix of uses. Its residential section features 145 condominiums, making it a significant addition to the city's skyline.
20. Chrysler Building, New York
The Chrysler Building, standing at 1,046 feet tall, is an Art Deco skyscraper found on the East Side of Manhattan. It wraps up our list of tallest buildings in the United States. Originally, it was a project led by real estate developer and former New York State Senator William H. Reynolds. Today, it hosts notable modern tenants like the YES Network, Creative Artists Agency, InterMedia Partners, and PA Consulting.