CTBUH Year in Review: Tall Trends of 2019 Tall Buildings in 2019: Another Record Year for Supertall Completions

Abstract The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat has released its annual report, CTBUH Year in Review: Tall Trends of 2019, part of the Tall Buildings in Numbers data analysis series. The report shows that 126 buildings of 200 meters’ height or greater were completed in 2019, including 26 “supertall” buildings of at least 300 meters’ height, a new record.* The total number of supertall buildings worldwide is now 170. In 2013, there were 76 buildings 300 meters or higher worldwide; in 2000, only 26. The 530-meter Tianjin CTF Finance Centre in Tianjin, China was the tallest building completed in 2019 (see Figure 1).

Note: Please refer to Tall Buildings in Numbers—The Global Tall Building Picture: Impact of 2019 in conjunction with this paper, pages 50–51. *The study sets a minimum threshold of 200 meters’ height because of the completeness of data available on buildings of that height.

Keywords: Skyscraper Completions, Supertalls, Construction Trends, Economics, Statistics, Urbanization

Introduction which this record was established, besting 18 2018, a 13.7 percent decline. This is the first supertalls in 2018. It was also the sixth year in year in which the overall completion figure The year 2019 was remarkable for the tall a row that at least one 500-meter-plus declined since the 2010 to 2011 gap, which building industry, as it saw 26 supertall building was completed (see Figure 2). was attributed to the lag effect of project buildings (300 meters or taller) completed, the Overall, 126 buildings of at least 200 meters cancellations due to the 2008 recession. The most in any year. This is the second year in were completed in 2019, compared to 146 in tallest building to complete in 2019 was the Tianjin CTF Finance Centre, at 530 meters (see Figure 1). It is now tied for the third-tallest building in China with its sister tower, Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre (also 530 meters) and is the seventh-tallest in the world. This marks the fifth year in a row in which the tallest building to complete is in China.

Key Worldwide Market Snapshots

The 126 completions figure was within the range predicted by CTBUH at the end of 2018 (120 to 150), albeit near the lower end. China completed 57 of these buildings, representing 45 percent of the total. This is also a decline from 2018, when 92 buildings representing 63 percent of the total were completed in China.

Asia (excluding the Middle East) overall contributed 87 of the 126 completions, for a 69 percent share; down from 110 completions for a 75.3 percent share of 2018’s total (see Figure 3).

The United States was again the second- most prolific country, with 14 completions, for 11 percent of 2019’s total. The number was equal to 2018’s total, though the Figure 1. Tianjin CTF Finance Centre, Tianjin, 530 meters, Courtesy of SOM © Seth Powers percentage represented was lower. North

42 | CTBUH Year in Review CTBUH Journal | 2020 Issue I 180

170 1,749 MAX 1,800 160 1,719 1,604 MIN 1,600 150 145 146 MAX 1,400 142 140 134 130 1,200 126

120 115 1,000 117 MIN

110 800 103 100 Number of 200 m+ buildings

610 Projected number of 200 m+ 90 600 buildings 83 80 400 Number of supertalls (300 m+) 71 73 70 70 262 200 Projected number of MAX 145 170 200 supertalls (300 m+) 187 60 71 50 MIN Number of megatalls (600 m+) 6111115 28 13 26 54 3 7 0 50 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2019 2020 48 Projected number of megatalls (600 m+) 40 32 30 31 31 MAX 30 Notes: 27 26 23 1. We can predict 2020 building 22 17 20 19 18 18 completions with some accuracy, 16 16 MIN 15 14 15 15 due to projects now in advanced 11 12 11 construction. A range is given to 10 9 10 99 9 9 10 7 8 8 acknowledge the challenging factors 5 6 66 6 5 33 33 3 4 3 in predicting completion dates. 2211 1 1 22 22111112 1 2 1 2 1 0 2. Totals after 2001 take into account the destruction of the World Trade

1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Center Towers 1 and 2.

Figure 2. Main chart: Number of 200-meter-plus buildings completed in each year from 1979 to 2019, with a 2020 projection. Inset: Total number of 200-meter-plus buildings in existence at decade’s end, from 1930 to 2019, with a 2020 projection.

Africa: 2 Europe: 2 1.6% 1.6% America represented 20 of the completions, Oceania: 3 South America: 2 or 15.9 percent of the world totals, compared 2.4% 1.6% to 16 of 2018’s completions, or 10.8 percent Middle East: 11 (see Figure 4). 8.7%

It was followed by the United Arab Emirates, with nine completions, down from 10 in 2018. The Middle East overall recorded 11 completions, down from 13 in 2018. North America: 20 Malaysia and India tied at seven completions; 15.9% Asia: 86 and the Philippines had five. In 2018, 68.3% Malaysia also recorded seven completions, India had zero; and the Philippines had one completion (see Figure 5).

At the city scale, Shenzhen, China was once again the world champion, besting its own record for the fourth time in a row, with 15 Figure 3. Buildings 200 meters or taller completed in 2019, by region.

CTBUH Journal | 2020 Issue I CTBUH Year in Review | 43 70 Countries

60 Cities 50

Cities completing a 200 m+ building

Countries completing a 200 m+ building 40

30

20

10

0 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 Figure 4. Number of cities and countries completing a 200-meter-plus building, 1978-2019.

60 20,000

48 Total Number Sum of heights (m) 16,000

Note: Only countries with at least two completions in 2019 are 36 included in this chart. One 200 m+ tall building was also completed 12,000 during 2019 in these countries: Algeria, Brazil, Colombia, Japan, Kuwait, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and Turkey. 24 8,000

12 4,000

0 0 China United States UAE Malaysia India Philippines Canada Thailand South Korea Australia Indonesia Figure 5. Buildings 200 meters or taller completed in 2019, by country.

20 5,000

Total Number Sum of heights (m) 16 4,000 Note: Two or fewer tall buildings 200 m+ in height were also completed during 2019 in these cities: Algiers, Austin, Balneario Camboriu, Beijing, Bogota, Boston, Brisbane, Calgary, Changsha, 12 Chicago, Colombo, Dalian, Edmonton, Fuzhou, Guiyang, Huizhou, 3,000 Istanbul, Jakarta, Jinan, Kaohsiung, Kolkata, Kunming, Kuwait City, Makati, Mandaluyong, Melbourne, Mexico City, Nanning, Pasig, Riyadh, Sandton, Shanghai, St. Petersburg, Suzhou, Taguig City, Tianjin, Tokyo, Wuhan, Wuxi, and Zhongshan. 8 2,000

4 1,000

0 0 Shenzhen Dubai New York City Chongqing Kuala Lumpur Mumbai Bangkok Busan Nanjing Xiamen Taiyuan Miami Toronto Figure 6. Buildings 200 meters or taller completed in 2019, by city.

44 | CTBUH Year in Review CTBUH Journal | 2020 Issue I Transit-Oriented Developments It was a big year for transit-oriented tall building developments in 2019, with the increasing demand for high-quality real estate and optimal connectivity intersecting in some of the world’s largest cities.

Figure 7. Shenzhen North Station. © HPP International Figure 8. One Manhattan West. © Lester Ali Figure 9. Shibuya Scramble Square. © Kakidai (cc by-sa) Height: 258 m / 846 ft Height: 303.3 m / 995 ft Height: 228.3 m / 749 ft City: Shenzhen City: New York City City: Tokyo

completions, for 11.9 percent of the global meters (see Figure 7). The city’s Futian total, surpassing all other countries besides Station, on the same high-speed rail network China, let alone cities. The next-most prolific that connects mainland China with Hong city was Dubai, with nine completions (see Kong, is already a high-rise nexus (the Ping Shenzhen, China Figure 6). An Finance Center complex and many others was“ once again the are connected to the station), but the more northerly station has both more rail capacity world champion, Project Trends: Transit-Oriented and buildable land, so it was only a matter Developments of time. besting its own record

It was a big year for transit-oriented tall In New York City, Pennsylvania Station is a for the fourth time building developments in 2019, with the well-established transit hub, but the rail increasing demand for high-quality real yards extending westwards from its throat in a row, with 15 estate and optimal connectivity intersecting were long considered unbuildable. In the completions, for in some of the world’s largest cities. past decade, that perception has been wiped away, as the rail yards were decked 11.9 percent of the In Shenzhen, the immediate forecourt of the over, and Hudson Yards and Manhattan West city’s North Station saw two separate have opened building after building. This global total. developments complete along its eastern year’s completion roster includes One flank. The Huide Tower and Shenzhen North Manhattan West (see Figure 8), and 15, 30 ” Station Site C2, Tower 1, both exceeded 200 and 35 Hudson Yards, all over 200 meters.

CTBUH Journal | 2020 Issue I CTBUH Year in Review | 45 Tokyo’s Shibuya Station is world-famous for vertical cities. Such skybridges are the topic skybridge, with a significant outdoor terrace the crosswalk just outside its doors, in which of an 18-month CTBUH Research Project, on its roof. At its midpoint, an elevated hordes of commuters cross the intersection currently underway. (More information at: pavilion rises, containing a gym and dance in six directions, in a daily movement that bit.ly/38islKt) studio. Further amenities include a health seems at once choreographed and chaotic. spa, steam sauna, pool, restaurants, cafés It’s known as the “Shibuya Scramble,” and Raffles City Chongqing, a massive, eight- and bars and planted lounging areas (see now a 228-meter office and retail tower, tower project at the point where the Figure 11). Shibuya Scramble Square, presides over the Yangtze and Jialing rivers converge, intersection (see Figure 9). It is part of a substantially opened in September. The Golden Eagle Tiandi in Nanjing connects substantial redevelopment of the station Conservatory, a 296-meter-long enclosed, three towers, providing hotel and office and surrounding district, which will see curving skybridge, spans across the roofs of functions with a multi-story skybridge. The many new towers but also fewer pedestrian four towers and connects via shorter bridges linkage has a domed roof and offers obstacles and awkward level changes. to two more. Within is a huge array of communal space in the form of a rooftop programs, including a pool, gardens, garden lounge. Providing a connection of restaurants, a gym, and observation areas this nature at height is an impressive feat in Project Trends: Skybridges (see Figure 10). a seismic zone, requiring a great deal of research on the structures’ performance Projects coming to fruition in 2019 indicate Sky Suites @ KLCC, Kuala Lumpur, connects under wind loads and earthquakes (see the growing interest of creating horizontal three residential towers along the tops of Figure 12). habitat at height in increasingly crowded, the towers by a curving, three-level

Skybridges Skybridge-linked projects coming to fruition in 2019 indicate the growing interest of creating horizontal habitat at height in increasingly crowded, vertical cities.

Figure 10. Raffles City Chongqing. © Junyi Lou Figure 11. Sky Suites @ KLCC. © Hao Li Figure 12. Golden Eagle Tiandi. © Lester Ali Height: 354.5 m / 1,163 ft Height: 230 m / 754 ft Height: 368.1 m / 1,207 ft City: Chongqing City: Kuala Lumpur City: Nanjing

46 | CTBUH Year in Review CTBUH Journal | 2020 Issue I Tallest Regional and National Records On the opposite end of Africa, The Leonardo (227 meters) a hotel and apartment tower in In every year, numerous localities typically Sandton, metropolitan Johannesburg, South The African will see the rise of a new tallest building. But Africa, became that nation’s new tallest in 2019, it was notable that many of these building and the second-tallest building on continent“ and the were areas that did not already have a the continent (see Figure 14). preponderance of tall buildings, and in some nation of Algeria cases, had never been on the 200-meter-plus After a long gestation period including list before. a change of site, the Lakhta Center in alike got a new tallest St. Petersburg became Russia’s and Europe’s The African continent and the nation of new tallest building at 462 meters building in 2019: Algeria alike got a new tallest building in (see Figure 15). It is also the world’s 13th- the Great Mosque of 2019: the Great Mosque of Algiers (265 tallest building. meters) (see Figure 13). Humans have Algiers (265 meters). used ecclesiastical structures to gain In Brazil, despite being a nation of many tall height for hundreds, if not thousands of buildings, to date, none had exceeded 200 ” years, but as the Great Mosque contains meters until 2019. That honor goes to the occupiable floors along more than 51 Infinity Coast Tower (235 meters) in percent of its height, it meets the CTBUH Balneario Camboriu, a beach resort city (see criteria for a “building.” Figure 16).

2019 Record-Breaking Buildings Below is a selection of buildings completed in 2019, each of which was the tallest in its country.

Figure 13. The Great Mosque of Algiers Figure 14. The Leonardo. © Legacy Hotels and Resorts Figure 15. Lakhta Center. © Anton Galakhov Height: 265 m / 869 ft Height: 227.9 m / 748 ft Height: 462 m / 1,515 ft City: Algiers (Tallest Building in Algeria and Africa) City: Johannesburg (Tallest Building in South Africa) City: St. Petersburg (Tallest Building in Russia and Europe)

CTBUH Journal | 2020 Issue I CTBUH Year in Review | 47 2019 Record-Breaking Buildings cont. Below is a selection of buildings completed in 2019, each of which was the tallest in its country.

Figure 16. Infinity Coast Tower Figure 17. Altair. © rhythmicdiaspora (cc by-sa) Height: 234.8 m / 770 ft Height: 240 m / 787 ft City: Balneario Camboriu (Tallest Building in Brazil) City: Colombo (Tallest Building in Sri Lanka)

In addition to striking a distinctive profile, with Its curvaceous form results from shape the effect of proximate events, such as the trade one balcony-laden tower appearing to lean on optimization to reduce vortex shedding and negotiations with the United States, or the other, Altair, Colombo, is Sri Lanka’s new other wind effects, while its square plan with as the harbinger of a recession. It is well- tallest building at 240 meters (see Figure 17). rounded corners enables unique interior designs documented that many of China’s tall building and customization options for occupants. projects were financed with high levels of debt, and that in recent years the government has Remarkable Projects Like many New York skyscrapers, 53West53’s attempted to rein in speculative building and shape results from the city’s zoning and investing. Certainly, the overall momentum of Leeza SOHO, an office tower in a new financial setback requirements (see Figure 20). Unlike construction on the very tallest buildings in the district on Beijing’s southwest side, capitalized most others, its resolution of these world’s most populous nation appears to have on an awkward site, split in two at the requirements involves tapering to a sharp slowed on a year-to-year basis. However, as foundation level by a curving subway tunnel, edge, as it is irregular in plan and falls in three always, it must be remembered that skyscrapers by turning the dividing line into a unifying different zoning districts, each with different are lagging economic indicators—many of concept: a building “split in two” by a towering, floor area and massing limits. Its lower floors these towers were conceived and initiated five 190-meter atrium, running its full height (see incorporate an extension of the Museum of or more years ago, and thus reflect the Figure 18). Modern Art (MoMA). development circumstances of a half-decade prior. Also, observed on a city-by-city basis, the Located in the Tianjin Economic-Technological data often tells a more complex, and divergent Development Area west of the city center, Conclusions and Interpretation story. For instance, amidst an apparent national the mixed-use Tianjin CTF Finance Centre slowdown, Shenzhen completed more tower is an anchor for the larger development It is tempting to read the noticeable drop in 200-meter-plus buildings than ever before, (see Figure 19 and Case Study, page 12). completions, particularly in China, as a sign of and more than any other country. Likewise,

48 | CTBUH Year in Review CTBUH Journal | 2020 Issue I Remarkable Projects Several standout projects from 2019 deployed seemingly eccentric shapes to resolve highly practical environmental challenges.

Figure 18/ Leeza SOHO. © Cao Baiqiang Figure 19: Tianjin CTF Finance Centre. © Seth Powers Figure 20. 53 West 53. © Lester Ali Height: 207 m / 679 ft Height: 530 m / 1,738 ft Height: 320.1 m / 1,050 ft City: Beijing City: Tianjin City: New York City

evaluations of individual cities’ progress year also incorporates some outliers such as meters and higher). A few snapshots of where should be discounted by the knowledge that Boston and Austin, which may reflect the numbers might skew geographically: The single-developer projects completing at once sharpening desire for dense urban living in Shengjing Finance Plaza in Shenyang, China, may include up to eight towers, smaller markets. has 15 buildings in the complex, three of disproportionately driving up the numbers which completed in 2018, and the remainder somewhat for Chongqing, Mumbai, Xiamen, Further, the appetite for especially tall are under construction and set to complete in Nanjing, Busan, Kuala Lumpur, and others. buildings remains high, with more supertalls 2020—all but one exceeds 200 meters. In the (300 meters and higher) completing than Middle East, the King Abdullah Financial Countries such as India jumped from zero ever before, and the number of buildings District in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, is expected to 200-meter-plus completions in 2018 to tying 500 meters and taller remains about the substantially complete, which could release for third place in 2019, with seven. Even this same—2019 was the sixth year in a row up to five 200-meter-plus buildings (of which number underrepresents the volume of in which at least one such building two are supertalls) into the statistics. In North activity; many more Indian projects in the was completed. America, New York City has 10 buildings 200 200-meter-plus range have started and are meters and higher likely to finish in 2020, two well underway, but have not yet met CTBUH of which are supertalls.  completion criteria. Meanwhile, countries that Predictions for 2020 had never broken the 200-meter mark, like See the interactive data report at: Brazil, are poking above the clouds, so to Looking into 2020, CTBUH currently projects a skyscrapercenter.com/year-in-review/2019. speak. And the US seems to be maintaining a similar range for the expected number of steady state of development, dominated by completions for 200-meter-plus buildings: See “2020 Tall Building Predictions” on New York, where the market for tall and thin is between 115 and 145. Of these, between 17 page 52, and at skyscrapercenter.com/ typically strongest; still, the nation’s total this and 30 are expected to be supertalls (300 predictions-2019.

CTBUH Journal | 2020 Issue I CTBUH Year in Review | 49 Tall Buildings in Numbers The Global Tall Building Picture: Impact of 2019

In 2019, 126 buildings of 200 meters’ height or greater were completed. This was a 13.7 percent decrease from 146 in 2018. The total number of 200-meter-plus buildings worldwide now stands at 1,603, up from 1,477 in 2018. This is a 163 percent increase over 2010, and a 519 percent increase from 2000, when only 259 such buildings existed. Asia continued to be the most dominant region in terms of skyscraper construction, however, China’s relative influence has waned somewhat. For more analysis of 2019 completions, see “CTBUH Year in Review: Tall Trends of 2019,” page 42). World’s Tallest Building Completed Each Year Starting with the year 2004, these are the tallest buildings that have been completed globally each year.

800 m Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre Burj Khalifa 530 m / 1,739 ft 828 m / 2,717 ft Dubai Guangzhou

700 m Shanghai World Financial Shanghai Tower Makkah Royal Clock Tower Center 632 m / 2,073 ft 601 m / 1,972 ft Ping An Finance Center 492 m / 1,614 ft Shanghai Mecca 599 m / 1,965 ft Shanghai Shenzhen 600 m Tianjin CTF Trump International Hotel & Tower One World Trade Center CITIC Tower Finance Centre Taipei 101 423 m / 1,389 ft KK100 541 m / 1,776 ft 528 m / 1,731 ft 530 m / 1,739 ft 508 m / 1,667 ft Chicago 442 m / 1,449 ft New York City Beijing Tianjin Taipei Shenzhen

500 m JW Marriott Marquis Shimao Hotel Dubai Tower 2 International Plaza 355 m / 1,166 ft 333 m / 1,094 ft Dubai Shanghai Rose Rayhaan 400 m by Rotana Q1 Tower 333 m / 1,093 ft 323 m / 1,058 ft Dubai Gold Coast

300 m

200 m

100 m

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 The Average Height of the Tallest Buildings

400 m The average height of all 200-m+ buildings completed that year The average height of the 20 tallest 200-m+ buildings completed that year 350 m The average height of the 100 tallest buildings in existence around the world that year

300 m

250 m

200 m 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Tianjin CTF Finance Centre, at 530 A record number Algeria and Africa got meters, the tallest building to complete of supertall a new tallest building: in 2019, is tied for seventh-tallest (300-m+ buildings) The Great Mosque of building in the world with its sister, completed in 2019. Algiers (265 meters). Guangzhou CTF Finance Center. 26

50 | Tall Buildings in Numbers CTBUH Journal | 2020 Issue I World’s Tallest 100: Analysis A plurality of the world’s tallest 100 buildings are located in Asia, have a mix of uses, and employ composite structural systems.

100 6 3 4 100 3 3 100 3 4 100 100 98 6 3 11 9 9 5 4 10 9 98 99 99 9 8 4 5 5 4 3 3 22 22 6 4 5 9 13 97 23 59 92 12 4 3 4 29 31 91 11 5 4 4 6 89 5 90 12 36 86 86 87 87 51 80 80 84 84 83 24 80 80 80 11 42 61 18 68 60 60 61 60 22 40 55 51 40 40 40 42 36 29 31 20 20 20 23 13 8 0 0 0 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2019 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2019 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2019 100 tallest buildings by region 100 tallest buildings by function 100 tallest buildings by material

North America Asia Middle East Europe Office Mixed-Use Hotel Steel ConcreteComposite

South America Oceania Central America Africa Residential Education Mixed Unknown

Number of Buildings Entering the World’s 100 Tallest by Year A total of 17 buildings entered the global 100 Tallest list in 2019, just below the 2011 record of 18.

20

18 17

15 15 15 15 15 14 13 12 12 12 12 12 12 12

10 10 10 9 9 9 8 8 8 8 8 7 7 7 7 Number of Buildings 666 6 6 55 5 55 5 5 5 4 4 4 4 3 3 3 2 1

0 197 0 197 1 197 2 197 3 197 4 197 5 197 6 197 7 197 8 197 9 198 0 198 1 198 2 198 3 198 4 198 5 198 6 198 7 198 8 198 9 199 0 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Of the 126 200-meter- The average height All eight of the buildings plus buildings completed in meters of the 20 over 200 meters completed in 2019, seven were 265 tallest buildings in Chongqing were in the meters tall, the most completed in 2019. same complex, Raffles City. common shared height. 377

CTBUH Journal | 2020 Issue I Tall Buildings in Numbers | 51