by Shane Henson — November 18, 2013—Seven of the world’s 10 tallest residential buildings can be found in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, according to a list compiled by Emporis, a global provider of building information.
The World’s 10 Tallest Residential Buildings are:
(Click on image to enlarge)The desire for recognition and prestige, plus the demonstration of economic growth, are the most significant factors leading to the boom in construction of such gigantic apartment palaces, particularly in the United Arab Emirates, Emporis says.
Four of these tallest buildings are located within a fifteen-minute walk of each other in Dubai’s sought-after Dubai Marina district: the 414-meter-tall Princess Tower, the 395-meter-tall Marina, the 380-meter-tall Elite Residence, and the 337-meter-tall Torch.
Outside of the United Arab Emirates, only two buildings make it into the Top 10: Q1 Tower, on the east coast of Australia, and Capital City Moscow Tower, in Russia’s capital, Moscow. Q1 Tower, in particular, is not only remarkable for being the tallest skyscraper in the southern hemisphere, but can also show off a series of other impressive features. In addition to handsome outdoor terraces offering a stunning view of the Gold Coast from 180 meters and 230 meters height, a miniature rainforest, 30 meters high in total, was created in the form of a skygarden from the 60th to 70th floor. The tower also has an enormous steel spire that can be seen from up to 200 kilometers away and is illuminated at night.
The prerequisites for building giant residential palaces that dwarf all around them are particularly ideal in the Gulf Region, notes Emporis. Firstly, there are sufficient providers of capital for major projects of this kind, and secondly, urban planning is not tied to preserving a distinctive existing skyline—meaning that such gigantic development projects can be given the green light.
Emporis notes that its list is likely to change soon. In 2015, when the skyscraper World One is projected to be completed in Mumbai, India, this tower, planned at 442 meters’ height, will take over the top spot. In addition, Diamond Tower in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, at a projected 432 meters, and 432 Park Avenue in New York City in the United States, at 426 meters in height, are also set to overtake the frontrunner from Dubai on their completion, thus raising the bar in the competition still further.
