Since the dawn of time, man has been architecting structures as a means of function, ability, and in many cases, distinction. The debate over what constitutes the tallest structures, has been a subject of controversy for many years since the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat has changed its definitions over the years. By the most current standards, what constitutes the tallest structure only requires the building to be “topped out” or formally completed, but not necessarily open to the public. The following list is the 12 tallest man made structures in the world, in each of the structural categories that exist.
You will be amazed by some of these structures. The amount of money and people required for such projects are astounding. They are quite impressive due to their sheer size, function, height, and in some cases, the speed of construction. Read on to see the 12 tallest man made structures on planet earth. They are certainly accomplishments to behold.
The List of the 12 Tallest Man Made Structures on Planet Earth
12. Petronas Twin Towers
Height: 1,483 ft
Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Year Completed: 1998
Cost: $1.6 billion
The Petronas Twin Towers Build Details
The Petronas Twin Towers are currently the twelfth tallest man made structures on earth. Commissioned by the government of Malaysia and completed in 1998, it is 1,483 feet tall (451.9 m). The towers reside in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and opened in 1999. The total cost of construction was $1.6 billion. They are used as commercial offices.
The Petronas Twin Towers are a major tourist attraction. The buildings were architected by César Pelli using a postmodern style resembling motifs found in Islamic Art. The primary engineers were Thornton Tomasetti and Ranhill Bersekutu. Since the Malaysian government ordered the two buildings be constructed in 6 years, a number of contractors were used to meet the aggressive deadline. The contractors included Hazama Corporation, Samsung Engineering, and B.L. Harbert International.
The Petronas Twin Towers were built from 1993 to 1998 and were the tallest buildings in the world from 1998 to 2004. They are currently the tallest twin towers in the world. These towers are a major landmark of the Kulua Lumpur and visible almost anywhere in the city.
11. Lualualei VLF Transmitter
Height: 1,503 ft
Location: Lualualei, Hawaii
Year Completed: 1972
Cost: Unknown
The Lualualei VLF Transmitter Build Details
The Lualualei VLF transmitter is the eleventh tallest man made structure on earth. The U.S. Navy facility was completed in 1972, standing 1,503 feet tall (458 m). The VLF (very low frequency) transmitter operates near Lualualei, Hawaii, sending orders to submerged submarines.
The Lualualei VLF transmitter uses two guyed masts of the same height. When initially built, the transmitters were the tallest towers used in the western hemisphere for long wave transmission and for military reasons.
The VLF transmitter Lualualei is a guyed mast radiator insulated against the ground. Both masts are umbrella antennas, fed by overhead cables. The primary contractor was the U.S. Navy for both towers.
10. Troll A Platform
Height: 1,549 ft
Location: Troll Gas Field, Norway
Year Completed: 1996
Cost: $650 million
The Troll A Platform Build Details
The Troll A platform is the tenth tallest man made structure on earth. Operated by Equinor as of 1996, it is 1,549 feet tall (472 m). The Condeep gravity-based structure offshore natural gas platform operates in the Troll gas field off the west coast of Norway. The total cost of construction was 4150 million NOK ($650 million).
The Troll A platform was the tallest structure to ever be moved from one position to another, as of 2014. It is also the second heaviest object ever moved. The platform tow became a part of popular culture in 1996, as it became a TV sensation.
The natural gas platform was built by Norwegian Contractors for Norske Shell from 1991 to 1996. The platform was towed from Vats, in the northern part of Rogaland, to the Troll field, taking seven days and traveling over 120 mi (200 kilometers).
9. Bullwinkle Oil Platform
Height: 1,736 ft
Location: Gulf of Mexico
Year Completed: 1988
Cost: $500 million
The Bullwinkle Oil Platform Build Details
The Bullwinkle oil platform is the ninth tallest man made structure on earth. Installed by the Fieldwood Energy in 1988, it is 1,736 feet tall (529 m). The pile-supported fixed steel oil platform was placed in the Gulf of Mexico. The total cost of construction was $500 million.
At the time of its construction, it was the third tallest freestanding structure ever built. What made the Bullwinkle platform unique from other massive oil towers, is that it could be built on land without any modifications required to stand; most oil platforms require the buoyancy of water to aid in their standing.
The jacket of the Bullwinkle oil platform (the mainly submerged part of the platform) was built by Gulf Marine Fabricators from 1985 to 1988 in Ingleside, Texas. The platform was shipped using a barge. It would be installed by Heerema Marine Contractors. The jacket, which is the second tallest object to ever be moved to another position, stands at 1400 feet tall.
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8. Abraj Al Bait
Height: 1,972 ft
Location: Mecca, Saudi Arabia
Year Completed: 2012
Cost: $15 billion
The Abraj Al Bait Build Details
The Abraj Al Bait contains the Makkah Clock Royal Tower, which is the eight tallest man made structure on earth. Completed by the government of Saudi Arabia in 2012, it is 1,972 feet tall (601 m). The complex resides in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, and opened in 2012 as part of the King Abdulaziz Endowment Project. The total cost of construction was $15 billion and the structures are mixed-use buildings.
The government’s intention in constructing these towers were to modernize the city, catering to its pilgrims. The Abraj Al Bait Towers were architected and engineered by SL Rasch GmbH and Dar Al-Handasah. The main contractor was Saudi Binladin Group.
Construction began in 2004 and ended in 2012, using a postmodern new classical style of design. The government owned complex name translates to “Towers of the House.” The Makkah Clock Royal Tower is the tallest in building in Saudi Arabia.
7. Canton Tower
Height: 1,982 ft
Location: Guangzhou, China
Year Completed: 2010
Cost: $450 million
The Canton Tower Build Details
The Canton Tower multi-purpose observation tower is currently the seventh tallest man made structure on earth. It was constructed by Guangzhou New Television Tower Group in 2010 and stands 1,982 feet tall (604 m). The multi-purpose observation tower is located in Guangzhou, China. The total cost of construction was CN¥2.9 billion ($450 million).
The Canton Tower’s twisted shape corresponds to the Russian Empire patent received by Russian engineer and architect, Vladimir Shukhov in March of 1899. The tower was architected by Mark Hemel and Barbara Kuit of IBA. The structural engineer was Arup.
Construction began in 2005 and was completed in 2010, opening for the Asian games of that same year. The architecture style is considered structural expressionism. The tower was named “Canton Tower” as it alludes to the city’s prosperous past. It was at one point, the tallest structure in China.
6. KVLY-TV Mast
Height: 2,063 ft
Location: Blanchard, North Dakota
Year Completed: 1963
Cost: $500,000
The KVLY-TV Mast Build Details
The KVLY-TV mast is currently the sixth tallest man made structure on earth. It is a television-transmitting mast standing 2,063 feet tall (629 m) in Blanchard, North Dakota. Completed in 1963, it was the tallest structure in the world at the time. The total cost of construction was $500,000 ($4.43 million today).
The KVLY-TV mast is owned by Gray Television of Atlanta Georgia. The tower was built by Kline Iron and Steel, and Hamilton Erection Company of York, South Carolina.
Construction of the KVLY-TV mast was completed on August 13, 1963, taking 30 days to complete. It was the first man made structure to exceed 2,000 feet in height.
5. Shanghai Tower
Height: 2,073 ft
Location: Lujiazui, Pudong, Shanghai
Year Completed: 2014
Cost: $2.4 billion
The Shanghai Tower Build Details
The Shanghai Tower skyscraper is currently the fifth tallest man made structure on earth. Completed by Shanghai Tower Construction and Development in 2014, it is 2,073 feet tall (632 m). The tower is located in Lujiazui, Pudong, Shanghai. It was considered complete in 2014, but did not open until 2015. The total cost of construction was CN¥15.7 billion ($2.4 billion). It is a mixed-use building.
Planning for the Shanghai Tower dates back to 1993, as a group of three mega skyscrapers, with the other two being the Shangai World Financial Center and the Jin Mao Tower. The building was architected by Marshall Strabala and Jun Xia of Gensler. The main contractor was the Shanghai Construction Group and the engineers included Thornton Tomasetti, Cosentini Associates, and I.DEA Ecological Solutions. The skyscraper is owned by Yeti Construction and Development.
Construction began in 2008 and ended in 2014, officially opening to the public in 2015. Its tiered construction was designed for high energy efficiency and provides nine separate zones divided between retail, office, and leisure use. The building was formerly named the Shanghai Center.
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4. Tokyo Skytree
Height: 2,080 ft
Location: Sumida, Tokyo
Year Completed: 2012
Cost: $65 billion
The Tokyo Skytree Build Details
The Tokyo Skytree is currently the fourth tallest man made structure on earth. It was completed by Tobu Railway and six terrestrial broadcasters in 2012, standing 2,080 feet tall (634 m). The broadcasting and observation tower is located in Sumida, Tokyo. The total cost of construction was $65 billion.
The tower is the centerpiece of a large commercial development spearheaded by Toby Railway, with the broadcasters group lead by NHK. The Tokyo Skytree was architected by Nikken Sekkei, the main contractor was Obayashi Corporation, and the primary developer was Tobu Railway. Tobu Railway is also the primary owner of the structure.
Construction began in 2008 and was completed in 2012. The tower’s design uses a combination of traditional Japanese beauty and neo-futurism. The project was also meant to be catalyst for the revitalization of the city of Sumida.
3. Petronius Oil Platform
Height: 2,100 ft
Location: The Gulf of Mexico
Year Completed: 2000
Cost: $500 million
The Petronius Oil Platform Build Details
The Petronius Oil Platform is currently the third tallest man made structure on earth. Built by Chevron in 2000, it is 2,100 feet tall (640 m). The deepwater compliant tower oil platform operates in the Gulf of Mexico. The total cost of construction was $500 million.
At one point, the structure was arguably the tallest free-standing structure in the world. This was disputed since it is unknown if the structure could stand on its own, without the aid of the water’s buoyancy where it resides. Construction began in 1997 by J Ray McDermott, a global provider of engineering and construction to energy companies.
The Petronius Oil Platform was built from 1997 to 2000. The platform is situated to exploit the Petronius field, which is named after Petronius, the Roman writer. The compliant tower design is more flexible than conventional land structures to cope better with sea forces in excess of 2%; the standard is .5%.
2. Merdeka 118
Height: 2,227 ft
Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Year Completed: 2022
Cost: $5.7 billion
The Merdeka 118 Build Details
The Merdeka 118 skyscraper is currently the second tallest man made structure on earth. Built by the Permodalan Nasional Berhad to be completed sometime in 2023, it is 2,227 feet tall (678.9 m). The building is located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and is not officially opened to the public, although it is currently topped out. The total cost of construction so far is RM5 billion ($5.7 billion). It is a mixed-use building.
Once this tower is officially “complete”, it will be the tallest building in Malaysia. The Merdeka 118 was architected by Fender Katsalidis in association with RSP KL. It is engineered by Leslie E. Robertson Associates, Robert Bird Group in association with Arup. The main contractors are Samsung C&T and UEM group. The skyscraper is owned by PNB Merdeka Ventures Sdn Bhd.
Construction began in 2014 and should be fully completed in 2023. The Merdeka 118 uses a Neo-futuristic style, along with a Malay traditional songket pattern. The building was named for Malaysia’s Merdeka Day.
1. Burj Khalifa
Height: 2,722 ft
Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Year Completed: 2009
Cost: $1.5 billion
The Burj Khalifa Build Details
The Burj Khalifa skyscraper is currently the tallest man made structure on earth. Completed by the government of Dubai in 2009, it is 2,722 feet tall (829 m). The building resides in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and opened in 2010 as part of a development called, Downtown Dubai. The total cost of construction was $1.5 billion. It is a mixed-use building.
The government’s decision to build this skyscraper was to gain international notoriety as-well-as to diversify from an oil based economy. The Burj Khalifa was architected by Adrian Smith and engineered by Bill Baker. The main contractor was Samsung C&T. The skyscraper is owned by Emaar Properties.
Construction began in 2004 and ended in 2009. The design was inspired by Islamic architecture from the region using a Neo-futuristic style. The building was named in honor of Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, president of the United Arab Emirates.
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