Dubai is leading the surge; no surprise there
New data from the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) just dropped — and the UAE has officially overtaken the U.S. in the race for the skies. The latest report shows the UAE is now home to 37 completed supertall skyscrapers, outpacing the U.S., which trails with 31.
To make the cut, buildings must stand at least 300 metres tall — and unsurprisingly, Dubai is driving the UAE’s skyscraper boom, with icons like the Burj Khalifa leading the charge. On a global scale, the UAE ranks third across all height categories, boasting 345 buildings over 150 metres and 159 that soar past 200 metres.
According to The National, China dominates every height category by a long shot — with 122 supertalls over 300 metres, 3,497 buildings above 150 metres, and 1,271 topping 200 metres. Cities like Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou are home to several of the world’s tallest towers, including heavyweights like the 632m Shanghai Tower and the 599m Ping An Finance Center.
The tallest towers in Dubai
No surprise here — the Burj Khalifa takes the crown as the world’s tallest at a staggering 828 metres. But Dubai’s skyline is packed with other jaw-dropping giants too. Take Marina 101, for example — standing tall at 425 metres, it’s not only Dubai’s second tallest building but also ranks as the 4th tallest residential tower globally.
Next up is the Princess Tower at 414 metres, which used to hold the title of the world’s tallest residential building. Then comes 23 Marina at 392.8 metres, Elite Residence at 381 metres, and Kempinski The Boulevard at 370 metres — which also ranks as the 56th tallest building worldwide. Rounding out Dubai’s current top ten are Almas Tower, Gevora Hotel, Il Primo, and the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai.
Coming soon
Of course, Dubai’s skyline game never slows down — and the next wave of supertalls is already on the way. Burj Azizi is set to soar to 725 metres, making it second only to the Burj Khalifa. It’ll feature the world’s highest observation deck on level 130, plus the highest nightclub, restaurant, and hotel room at levels 126, 122, and 118 respectively. This massive project is pegged at a $1.5 billion price tag, with completion expected by 2028.
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The Burj Binghatti Jacob & Co Residences, a luxe collab between high-end jeweler Jacob & Co and Emirati developer Binghatti, is set to rise in Business Bay. It’ll feature stylish two- and three-bedroom residences, an infinity pool, and exclusive concierge services like private chefs, bodyguards, and chauffeurs. The tower is designed to reach 595 metres tall.
The Six Senses Residences Dubai Marina will soar 517 metres high, marking the brand’s second Dubai project alongside the under-construction Six Senses The Palm. Slated for completion in July 2028, the tower will offer 251 residences designed with a holistic, wellness-focused lifestyle in mind — from the architecture and interiors to the community spaces.
