Top 10 American Skyscrapers – Awe Inspiring

Most of the cities in the United States of America are famous for their beautifully designed skylines created by thousands of skyscrapers standing tall and proud, and giving that unique look of American architecture.

Top 10 American Skyscrapers List

1. Empire State Building

Empire State Building Official Site

The Empire State Building deserves top spot in our top 10 American Skyscrapers list – it is a 102-story tall, Art Deco sky-scraping standing tall in Midtown Manhattan, New York City.

The Empire State Building is one of the most famous skyscrapers in the world. Designed by the architectural firm, Shreve, Lamb and Harmon, its construction was completed in 1931.

Its name is derived from Empire State, a nickname for New York City (the origins of which are as yet unknown). Its design was changed fifteen times until it was finally ensured to be the tallest building in the world.

Currently, the Empire State Building is the fifth-tallest skyscraper in the United States of America, and the 28th-tallest building in the world. It is a major tourist attraction.

2. One World Trade Center

One World Trade Center Official Site

Known as ‘WTC’ for short, the One World Trade Center is the main building of the re-built World Trade Center Complex, standing in Lower Manhattan, New York City. The tallest building in the United States, it is the sixth-tallest building from all over the world.

David Child’s, whose firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, also designed the Burj Khalifa and the Willis Tower, is the building’s architect.

While construction began in April 2006, the One World Trade Center finally became the tallest building in New York City six years later, by the end of April 2012.

The entire building (including the spire at the top) stands 1776 feet tall, a deliberate reference to the year in which the Declaration of Independence was signed. The building was officially opened to the public in 2014.

3. Chrysler Building

Chrysler Building Official Site

An Art Deco-style skyscraper located in Turtle Bay of New York City, the Chrysler Building stands 1046 feet tall.

It was said to be the world’s tallest building (for 11 months) until that title was taken by the Empire State Building in 1931.

The head of the Chrysler Corporation, Walter Chrysler, built this structure. It remained the headquarters of the company from 1930 to the 1950s.

Even though the building was designed and constructed for the Chrysler Corporation, the building was owned by Walter Chrysler – who decided to pay for it himself so that his children could inherit it one day.

In 2007, the Chrysler Building was ranked ninth by the American Institute of Architects on the List of America’s Favorite Architecture.

Chrysler Building street view from 42nd Street

4. Willis Tower

Willis Tower Official Site

A 110-storey skyscraper in Chicago, it has been known as the Sears Tower for the past 36 years. It became the tallest building in the world at its completion in 1973, and held that title for nearly 25 years.

An achievement of architect Fazlur Rehman Khan, the Willis Tower is currently the second-tallest building in the States. Millions of tourists visit its observation deck each year, making it one of Chicago’s most popular tourist destinations.

It was renamed by Willis Group in 2009 as part of the terms of its lease. The building is occupied by famous tenants and corporations, including United Airlines, Willis Group and Schiff Hardin.

5. Trump International Hotel and Tower

Trump International Hotel and Tower Offical Site

Named after the 45th U.S. President Donald Trump, it was designed by architect Adrian Smith of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill.

The 98-storey structure is a condo-hotel in downtown Chicago, and stands proud next to the main branch of the Chicago River; with a view of the entry to Lake Michigan.

After the September 11 attacks, Donald Trump (who had previously announced his intention of making it the tallest skyscraper in the world) rapidly scaled back his plans and its design underwent several revisions.

6. Columbia center – Top 10 American Skyscrapers List

A Skyscraper who’s name has changed over the years takes 5th spot in our top 10 American skyscrapers list, Formerly known as Bank of America Tower, it is a skyscraper in downtown Seattle, Washington. Standing 76-storeys tall.

Formerly known as Bank of America Tower, it is a skyscraper in downtown Seattle

Columbia center is the tallest building in the entire state of Washington. The Columbia center was completed in 1985 and has the tallest public viewing area in the West Coast and west of the Mississippi.

It plays host to the largest fire-fighter competition in the world, the L.S. Firefighter Stair-climb, and about 2000 firefighters from around the globe make the tiring trek up all 1,311 steps in full structural turnout gear while live on-air.

The proceeds collected from the event benefit the Washington/Alaska chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma society.

7.  Wells Fargo Plaza

Formerly known as the Allied Bank Plaza, it is a skyscraper located in Houston, Texas.

The 71-storey building is currently the 20th-tallest building in the United States of America.

Formerly known as the Allied Bank Plaza, it is a skyscraper located in Houston, Texas

Wells Fargo houses some famous tenants, particularly the Houston office of PwC, the Consulate General of the UK and, last but not least, the office of the US Attorney General for the Southern District of Texas.

The Wells Fargo Plaza is worthy of it’s number 7 ranking in this top 10 American skyscrapers list.

8.  John Hancock center

A 100-storey skyscraper in the city of Chicago, the John Hancock center is located in the Magnificent Mile district. Its name was officially changed from John Hancock center to 875 North Michigan Avenue on 12th February, 2018.

Constructed under the famed architectural firm Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, its structural engineer was Fazlur Rehman Khan (who also designed the Willis Tower).

After its construction was completed in 1968, it was the tallest building outside of New York City, and the second-tallest building in the world.

A major tourist attraction, its observatory (360 Chicago), which competes with the Willis Tower’s Skydeck, has a 360° view of the city, up to four states.

A 100-storey skyscraper in the city of Chicago, the John Hancock center is located in the Magnificent Mile district

It is currently home to several offices and restaurants, alongside containing about 700 condominiums. It has the third-highest rate of residence in the world, after the Burj Khalifa and the Trump Tower.

9. 432 Park Avenue

A residential skyscraper in New York City, 432 Park Avenue overlooks the famed Central Park (an urban park in Manhattan, New York City).

Originally intended to stand as tall as 1,300 feet high, the finished structure topped at 1,396 feet. Its construction – which began in 2011 – was finally completed in 2015.

It is currently the third-tallest building in the United States and the tallest residential building in the entire world.

It is also the first and only building outside of the World Trade Center Complex to stand taller than the original Twin Towers.

A residential skyscraper in New York City, 432 Park Avenue overlooks the famed Central Park

10. Bank of America Plaza

The final place in our top 10 American skyscrapers list goes to A 72-storey, late-modernist skyscraper located in downtown Dallas, Texas, the Bank of America Plaza is currently the tallest skyscraper in the city.

Designed by JPJ Architects, the building is the third-tallest in the state of Texas.

We hope you enjoyed this ‘top 10 American Skyscrapers list’ article if you would like to know more about the many famous and iconic buildings in America please follow the links at the bottom of this page or learn more about the history of American Skyscrapers and Buildings at Wikipedia.