Shenzhen came out on top, once again, with the tallest skyscraper of 2017 and the most 'supertall' structures. In fact, no country completed more skyscrapers than Shenzhen did. Again.
The annual report from the Council of Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat reveals another broken record for new 200-plus meter buildings that scrape the sky. In a sign that China continues to rise, more than half the 144 completed skyscrapers were built here in the Middle Kingdom. This marks a full decade of China dominating that particular ranking.
Second place goes to the US, with 10 new skyscrapers… which is two fewer than just appeared in Shenzhen’s skyline. If Trump is making America great again, the real estate tycoon isn’t building it up with towers to the sky.
After seven years under construction, central Futian’s Ping An Finance Center took top prize for 2017. At 599 meters (1,965 feet) and 115 floors, it’s now the fourth tallest building in the world. Visitors aren’t able to reach the observation deck yet, but we’re promised access by the end of December.
WATCH: On the Roofs is back with terrifying footage from top of Shenzhen Ping An IFC
With the exception of One Palace, semi-residential Hon Kwok City Center and hotel-hosting Shenzhen University Subway Station Tower, all Shenzhen’s 2017 skyscrapers will be used as office space. Shanghai’s three new skyscrapers are the same, while Guangzhou’s two new supertalls and Beijing’s China World Trade Center Phase 3B will be mixed use.
Shenzhen won in 2016 with 11 new skyscrapers and in 2015 tied for second with five. If everything goes according to plan, we’ll take home the honor once again in 2018, when 24 new supertalls are brought to completion.
We might be overwhelmed by the rapid change and we might not relish the idea of a Trump International Shenzhen (slated for 2021) but the tide of the times pulls us forth.
Keep reaching for the stars, Shenzhen!
READ MORE: Shenzhen's Skyscraper Boom Shows No Signs of Slowing
[Image via Ping An Finance Center, Skyscraper Center, On the Roofs, Kohn Pedersen via CNN]
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