The global clamour for tall buildings continued in 2018 as 143 buildings of more than 200 metres were completed down by four from the all-time record of 147 in 2017. This year also saw the completion of 18 “supertalls”, the largest number ever in a single year, these are buildings of at least 300 metres height. The report covers other statistical highlights of 2018 and predicts completions for 2019.
The past decade has seen an outburst in growth of tall building construction reaching an all-time record of 147 in 2017. The total number of 200-metre-and higher buildings in the world now stands at 1,478, a 141 percent increase from 614, in 2010 while the total sum of heights of all completions in 2018 alone was 35.2 kilometres.
China has been leading the world in the completion of tall buildings consecutively over the past four years and this year was no different with the tallest building to complete in 2018 being the 528-metre Citic Tower in Beijing. China’s previous record was set in 2016, with 86 buildings of 200 meters or higher and once again, surpassed its own record from last year, recording 14 completions. The United States took second place with 13 completions, up from 10 in 2017.
According to the analysis from CTBUH, a total of 19 cities worldwide got a new tallest building, fourteen of which were in Asia. In effect is, any discussion of business or industry in 2018 would have to consider the role of China, the world’s second-largest economy.
Africa did not complete any 200-metre buildings in 2018.
The report also revealed that the average height of 200-meter-plus buildings completed in 2018 was 247 meters, a slight increase over the 244-metre figure for 2017. In 2018, the average height of the World’s 100 Tallest Buildings grew again by three metres to 381 metres, from 372 metres in 2017.
Meanwhile, the average height of the 20 tallest buildings completed in a given year again rose, to 353 metres in 2018.
According to the report, the continuing appetite to undertake the challenges inherent in building supertalls is as a result of ‘improved construction technologies, the desire to create landmark buildings for cities around the world, and the general economic ascendancy of developing countries, in Asia and elsewhere.’
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The total number of supertall buildings worldwide stands at 144, up from 126 in 2017, representing an 89 percent increase over five years. In 2013, there were 76 buildings 300 meters or higher worldwide compared to only 26 in 2000.
For 2019, the projections are between 120 and 150 buildings of 200 metres or greater height. This range takes into consideration the total number of projects currently underway, but it is common for a substantial percentage of projects anticipated for completion.
