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SKYDB
Data backbone

Other information
besides just buildings.

SKYDB is built from regions, companies, photos and the dictionary that ties them together. Pick a thread to pull.

Explore database →
Cities + countriesRegionsBrowse every region on file→
Names behind the projectsCompaniesArchitects, developers, engineers→
Visual archivePhotos & RenderingsImagery from around the world→
Data StandardsDefinitionsTerms and concepts explained→
Using the dataLicensingHow to license the data backbone→
New tool Heatmap mode See structure density visualised across cities - beta.
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Buildings, everywhere.

Unlimited ways
to discover.

SKYDB is the source for building data. Browse the top 1000 tallest, search for any building by name or attribute, or explore city-by-city statistics.

Explore buildings →
Don't browse.Search formFind buildings with ease.→
Official ListTop 1000 TallestUpdated as new towers complete→
StatisticsBiggest CitiesView city-related statistics→
StatisticsBiggest CountriesNational rankings + records→
Cities + countriesRegionsBrowse buildings by region→
Names behind the projectsCompaniesArchitects, developers, engineers→
Featured activity SKYDB Awards The best skyscrapers of the world. Selected every year by SKYDB and its community members.
Visit the page →
SKYDB Services

Data services
for pros.

Custom research, bulk exports and API access for architects, developers and journalists.

From $729 / monthSKYDB ResearchFull access and priority support→
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DeveloperAPI AccessREST + JSON. Real-time updates.→
For individualsMembershipsFull access to the database→
Trusted by CNN · The Guardian · Reuters · New York Times Over 200 organizations use SKYDB data.
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SKYDB Community

Where accuracy
comes from.

We are what makes SKYDB stand apart. Editors who care about buildings and care more about getting them right. Same standards, same care.

Community →
ProfilesMembers and editorsFind other people→
StatisticsMost Active MembersSee what's going on→
DiscussForumJoin the discussion→
ToolAdd buildingLaunch the object tool→
ToolUpload photosSubmit missing images→
Spotlight Featured Personality Marshall Gerometta is "the brain" when it comes to heights. As a veteran in the field, he also maintains the world's official list of the tallest skyscrapers.
Explore his work →
Since 30 years

The source
for tall buildings

SKYDB is creating the world's most comprehensive and deepest database of tall buildings. Used by professionals, maintained by experts.

Who we are →
MissionWho we areExperts in the field→
Data StandardsDefinitionsHow we measure and verify→
HelpKnowledge BaseArticles + tutorials→
UpdatesGet the NewsLatest announcements→
ContactLeave a FeedbackReach out to the team.→
Featured activity SKYDB Awards The best skyscrapers of the world. Selected every year by SKYDB and its community members.
Visit the page →
● 177,165 tall buildings 53,770 companies
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Buildings worldwide

Explore buildings
with SKYDB

The most comprehensive tall building database.

  • 382,013buildings
  • 53,770companies
  • 10,859cities
  • 788,261photos & diagrams
  • 30years of records
Markets

Tall-building cities

Top 8 cities by structure count. Each tile is one ES aggregation, with a skyline silhouette built from the tallest 30 buildings on file.

New York City

3,595 buildings
Tallest
543m·One World Trade Center
Built since 2010
9%
Over 300m
31
Dominant use
Residential
Explore New York City

London

1,904 buildings
Tallest
306m·The Shard
Built since 2010
9%
Over 300m
1
Dominant use
Residential
Explore London

Rio de Janeiro

1,574 buildings
Tallest
163m·Rio Sul Center
Built since 2010
4%
Over 300m
0
Dominant use
Residential
Explore Rio de Janeiro

Tokyo

1,121 buildings
Tallest
634m·Tokyo Sky Tree
Built since 2010
2%
Over 300m
5
Dominant use
Office
Explore Tokyo

Sydney

890 buildings
Tallest
309m·Sydney Tower
Built since 2010
4%
Over 300m
1
Dominant use
Office
Explore Sydney

Chicago

872 buildings
Tallest
442m·Willis Tower
Built since 2010
14%
Over 300m
8
Dominant use
Residential
Explore Chicago

Hong Kong

762 buildings
Tallest
484m·International Commerce Centre
Built since 2010
3%
Over 300m
7
Dominant use
Residential
Explore Hong Kong

Minneapolis

509 buildings
Tallest
241m·IDS Tower
Built since 2010
36%
Over 300m
0
Dominant use
Residential
Explore Minneapolis
Explore

Browse the database

Every entry point the main navigation surfaces, in one place.

Official list Top 1000 Tallest The reference ranking.
Geography Biggest Cities Markets ranked by inventory.
Geography Biggest Countries National rankings + records.
Geography Regions Continents, countries, cities.
Industry Companies Architects, developers, engineers.
Recognition SKYDB Awards Annual community picks.
Power tool Search Filter by every attribute.
Slice the database

Drill down

Every row goes to a pre-filtered structure list.

By era
  • Pre-1950 46,868
  • 1950-2000 74,237
  • 2000-2020 62,079
  • Post-2020 6,715
By use
  • Residential 205,901
  • Office 63,791
  • Lodging 27,700
  • Retail 26,843
  • Religion 8,546
  • Government 7,986
  • Health 7,397
By height
  • 300 m+ 762
  • 200-299 m 2,058
  • 100-199 m 8,965
  • 50-99 m 17,164
  • Under 50 m 19,072
By region
  • Europe 57,231
  • North America 48,684
  • Asia 33,305
  • South America 31,910
  • Oceania 3,846
  • Africa 2,110
Market activity

Where the work is happening

Top 15 cities by tall-building completions since 2005, sliced into five-year windows. Trend column compares the last decade to the first - up, down, or flat. Scope: completed structures on the Tall Buildings channel, masts excluded.

# City 2005-09 2010-14 2015-19 2020-now Total Trend Δ
1 BR São Paulo 1,297 153 1 · 1,451 ↘ -100%
2 US New York City 369 172 295 83 927 ↘ -30%
3 AE Dubai 400 177 39 17 633 ↘ -90%
4 CA Toronto 141 204 192 26 563 ↘ -37%
5 SG Singapore 377 125 7 2 511 ↘ -98%
6 CL Santiago de Chile 478 25 · · 503 ↘ -100%
7 BR Rio de Janeiro 277 98 35 · 410 ↘ -91%
8 JP Tokyo 389 11 3 · 403 ↘ -99%
9 BR Recife 219 105 1 · 325 ↘ -100%
10 RU Novosibirsk 261 53 · · 314 ↘ -100%
11 GB London 160 71 63 16 310 ↘ -66%
12 US Chicago 99 47 111 41 299 → +4%
13 RU Moscow 236 49 9 2 296 ↘ -96%
14 CN Hong Kong 218 37 26 2 283 ↘ -89%
15 CN Wuhan 237 5 12 1 255 ↘ -95%
7,483 tall buildings completed across these 15 markets since 2005
Coverage

Hundreds of data fields per building

Every editable attribute in SKYDB's definition catalogue, grouped.

324data fields
2,337options
Identity

Name · Alternative names · ID codes · Status

Location

Address · Coordinates · District · Neighborhood

Dimensions

Architectural height · Tip height · Roof height · Floor count

Construction

Year started · Year completed · Construction system · Material

Companies

Architect · Structural Engineer · MEP · Developer · Contractor · Facade · Elevator

Use

Primary use · Secondary use · Floors by use · Tenant info

Visual

Photos · Diagrams · 3D models · Floor plans · Renderings

History

Renovations · Ownership changes · Naming history · Awards

Lead intelligence

Most active companies

By tracked structures on file.

Browse all 53,770 companies
Company Role City Projects
Otis Elevator Company elevator manufacturer US Farmington 915
New York City Housing Authority property management US New York City 845
KONE Corporation elevator manufacturer FI Espoo 827
Housing and Development Board developer SG Singapore 773
Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP architect US Chicago 708
Schindler Elevator Ltd. elevator manufacturer CH Ebikon 498
Holiday Inn Express tenant GB Windsor 476
Holiday Inn Hotels and Resorts tenant GB Windsor 456
Hong Kong Housing Authority developer CN Hong Kong 373
ThyssenKrupp AG elevator manufacturer DE Essen 324
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