Architectural Record
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Subscribe
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Architectural Record
  • NEWS
    • Latest News
    • Awards
    • Interviews
    • Obituaries
    • Podcasts
      • Design:Ed Podcast
      • Sponsored Podcasts
  • OPINION
    • Book Reviews / Excerpts
    • Exhibition Reviews
    • Forum
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Videos
    • Design Vanguard
    • Top 300 Firms
    • Sponsored Content
    • Sponsored eBooks
    • From the Archives
  • CONTINUING ED
    • Editorial Continuing Ed
    • CE Center
    • CE Academies
  • PROJECTS
    • Buildings By Type
    • Reuse & Renovation
    • Museums & Arts Centers
    • Colleges & Universities
    • Multifamily Housing
    • Interiors
    • Lighting
    • Kitchen & Bath
  • HOUSES
    • Record Houses
    • House of the Month
    • Featured Houses
  • PRODUCTS
    • Products by Category
    • Record Products of the Year
    • Latest Products
  • EVENTS
    • Dates & Events
    • Record on the Road
    • Innovation Conference
    • Sustainability in Practice
    • Women In Architecture
    • Webinars
    • Ad Excellence Awards
    • Submit an Event
  • CONNECT
    • Ask RECORD AI
    • Newsletters
    • Contact
    • Advertise
    • Editorial Calendar
    • Store
    • Customer Service
  • SUBMIT
    • Submission Guidelines
    • RECORD Competitions
  • MAGAZINE
    • Subscribe
    • My Account
    • Digital Edition
    • Current Issue
    • Firm Pass
    • Historic Archive
Architecture News

2015 Was a Record-Setting Year for Tall Buildings, Report Finds

By Anna Fixsen
CTBUH Report 2015

The tallest three buildings completed in 2015 were Gensler's Shanghai Tower, Rafael Viñoly's 432 Park Avenue, and SOM's OKO Residential Tower in Moscow.

Photos © Gensler, Macklowe Properties, and Boris Bochkarev

CTBUH Report 2015

Image courtesy Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat

CTBUH Report 2015

Image courtesy Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat

CTBUH Report 2015

Image courtesy Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat

CTBUH Report 2015

Image courtesy Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat

CTBUH Report 2015
CTBUH Report 2015
CTBUH Report 2015
CTBUH Report 2015
CTBUH Report 2015
January 22, 2016

2015 may have been a record-busting year for global temperatures, weightlifting, and Adele, but now, according to a report released this week, it was also an unmatched year for skyscrapers.

Findings from the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat’s (CTBUH) annual report show that 106 buildings taller than 200 meters (656 feet) were completed last year—the most ever. Upping the ante, 13 supertalls (defined by CTBUH as buildings at least 300 meters tall) were completed in 2015, yet another milestone.    

By CTBUH’s estimate, the combined height of these buildings comes to 25,926 meters—just over 16-miles worth of skyscraper. Not surprisingly, more than three-quarters of these towers were completed in Asia. China alone completed more than half of them. Even North Korea hopped on the bandwagon, completing its first tall building, the Mirae Scientists Street Residential Tower last year.

The tallest building completed in 2015 was Gensler’s Shanghai Tower, clocking in at 632 meters (2,073 feet), making it the world’s second-tallest building after the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.

Check out CTBUH’s interactive data page here.

CTBUH 2015 Infographic

Looking for quick answers on architecture and design topics?
Try Ask RECORD, our new smart AI search tool.
Ask RECORD →

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Anna Fixsen was a staff writer and editor for Architectural Record from 2013 to 2017, during which time she covered topics ranging from new projects to human rights, and edited Firms to Watch—a special section devoted to emerging architecture firms.

Post a comment to this article

Report Abusive Comment

Subscription Center
  • Create an Account
  • Start a Subscription
  • Manage My Account
  • Sign Up for Newsletters
  • Visit Customer Service
  • Update Preferences

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Architectural Record audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Architectural Record or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • TAMLYN XtremeTrim Exterior Trim
    Sponsored byTamlyn

    Designing Cleaner Panel Facades: Why Exterior Trim Details Matter

  • Building with Vapor Barriers
    Sponsored byReef Industries, Inc.

    Vapor Barriers Help Control Moisture in Tighter Building Designs

  • Duct Interior with Prodeq System
    Sponsored byHenry, a Carlisle Company

    Designing Resilient Water Containment Systems

DESIGN:ED Podcast
Listen to Architectural Record’s DESIGN:ED Podcast

Events

June 10, 2026

Rethinking Stormwater – The Power of Porous Paving

Credits: 1 AIA LU/HSW; 1 AIBD P-CE; 0.1 ICC CEU

Learn how porous paving systems support stormwater management, reduce heat island effects, and enhance sustainable site design performance.

June 11, 2026

Very Early Warning Fire Detection for Mission-Critical Facilities

Credits: 1 AIA LU/HSW; 1 AIBD P-CE; 0.1 ICC CEU

Examine advanced fire detection strategies that support uptime and enhance safety in data centers and other mission-critical facilities.

View All Submit An Event

Products

2026 Architect's Square Foot Costbook

2026 Architect's Square Foot Costbook

See More Products

Popular Stories

Coronado Bridge

The Architect’s Guide to San Diego

Practice Matters illustration

What’s in a (Firm’s) Name? Thinking About Succession and Legacy

Practice Matters illustration

By the Numbers: Counting America's Architects

Inward House

Inward House by VeeV Design Studio

Riverdale House by Studio Lau

Riverdale House by Studio Lau

Broader Sustainability of CMU - Free Webinar - May 21, 2026

Related Articles

  • Thames River in London

    UK Parliament Restoration Is 'Painfully Slow,' Report Finds

    See More
  • ExamPhoto.jpg

    NCARB’s New ‘By the Numbers’ Report Finds Increases in Licensure Exam Pass Rates, Diversity

    See More
  • Marina Towers historic construction photo

    A New Exhibition at the Skyscraper Museum in New York Traces the Evolution of Concrete in Tall Buildings

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • Architectural Record - May 2026

    Architectural Record May 2026 Issue

  • Architectural Record - January 2026

    Architectural Record January 2026 Issue

See More Products
×

The latest news and information

#1 Source for Architectural Design, News and Products

SUBSCRIBE
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Submit
    • Store
  • ACCOUNT CENTER
    • Create an Account
    • Start a Subscription
    • Manage My Account
    • Sign Up for Newsletters
    • Visit Customer Service
    • Update Preferences
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • Linkedin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)

Copyright ©2026. All Rights Reserved BNP Media, Inc. and BNP Media II, LLC.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing