Dubai, Xi’an, Jeddah, Kuala Lumpur… Asia is now leading the global race to build the tallest skyscraper—a title once held by New York. Even Monterrey, Mexico, is joining the competition
Building the tallest skyscraper is a real show of design prowess, a symbol of economic clout and technological dominance. In the 21st century, Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, has taken the baton from New York, but it’s not the only city vying to pierce the clouds. 2025 brings a wave of newcomers to the global skyscraper race.
The imposing Burj Khalifa, standing at 828 metres, still reigns supreme in Dubai. But Saudi Arabia aims to snatch its crown and shatter that record with the Jeddah Tower, also designed by architect Adrian D. Smith, which promises to revolutionise architecture by soaring beyond 1,000 metres.
Santiago Calatrava’s Dubai Creek Tower, with its elegant lily-inspired form and planned height of 930 metres, aspires to iconic status, though it’s still in its early construction stages. Meanwhile, the 517-metre Six Senses Residences by Woods Bagot further reflect Dubai’s vertical ambition. And adding a touch of glamour is the 595-metre Burj Binghatti Jacob & Co Residences, a luxury collaboration with the prestigious watchmakers.
Also in Dubai, the Nebula Rise Tower by K-Estudio is a masterpiece of parametric architecture, an innovative style that uses algorithms and computational geometry to create fluid and dynamic structures.
In Xi’an, the historic starting point of the Silk Road, the China International Silk Road Center, designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, will rise 498 metres, boasting a modern and functional design. Over in Shanghai’s Hongkou district, the North Bund Tower will stretch to 480 metres with a design that maximises space efficiency.
Further inland in Chengdu, the Tianfu Center by Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates promises to become a key landmark with its impressive 489-metre height and advanced energy management systems. In Tianjin, the futuristic CTF Finance Centre (530 m), designed by SOM Studio, adds to China’s impressive skyline.
In Mecca, the Abraj Al Bait, or Makkah Royal Clock Tower, is an architectural complex with a traditional flavour, spanning 1,580,000 square metres and peaking at 601 metres. In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the Merdeka PNB118 is another skyscraper competing to break through the clouds. Designed by Australian firm Fender Katsalidis Architects, this neo-futurist skyscraper will have 118 storeys and soar to 679 metres.
The sole non-Asian contender in this high-stakes race is the Torre Rise in Monterrey, Mexico, aiming for a respectable 475 metres. Designed by Pozas Arquitectos, its completion is slated for 2026.
