The Top 10 U.S. Cities with the Most Skyscrapers

Major cities in the United States have some majorly high buildings. The exact definition of a skyscraper can vary, depending on the source. Generally, a skyscraper is any building with more than 40 floors that are all able to be used. Buildings that are over 492 feet tall, regardless of the number of floors, are also included. The term originated in the late 1800s when unusually tall buildings started to appear in major cities. Skyscrapers were plentiful in New York City and Chicago in those years, with many other cities following suit as they expanded and grew.

Some skyscrapers are elaborate and offer a unique architectural element to the city’s skyline. They may have been built for a specific event or purpose. Others are more practical and offer plenty of housing or office space. Either way, these massive buildings become symbols of the cities where they were built and can offer fantastic views as well. Skyscrapers around the world are common in urban areas where space is at a premium.

New York City

New York City has an amazing 316 skyscrapers across the five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. Some of the most recognizable include the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, and One World Trade Center. Many of these landmarks are iconic sights in the New York City skyline. One World Trade Center, also called the Freedom Tower, was built in 2006. It is on the site of the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, which were destroyed in an attack in 2001. The Freedom Tower is 1,792 feet tall and is the tallest building in the United States. Tours of buildings like the Empire State Building reward visitors with amazing views of the city. You can even take in the sight of the city from across the Hudson River in New Jersey to get a real view of just how massive these buildings are.

Chicago

Chicago has 137 skyscrapers in the city. The tallest of the tall is the Willis Tower, which was formerly named the Sears Tower. It is 1,451 feet tall and has 110 stories. The story behind many of the skyscrapers (and other buildings) in Chicago includes the Great Chicago Fire in 1871. Around 17,500 of the buildings in the city were destroyed in the fire. Chicago took great care to rebuild and many of the skyscrapers in the city were constructed after the fire.

Miami

There are 58 skyscrapers in Miami. Even though Jacksonville surpasses it in both population and area, Miami is still a hot spot in the Sunshine State. There are many buildings beyond the 58 skyscrapers that are still quite tall, including around 80 that are over 400 feet tall. The tallest building in Miami is the Panorama Tower at 828 feet. It is also the tallest building in the entire state of Florida. The Panorama Tower, the Four Seasons Miami, and others in the city are largely residential. In fact, 7 out of the 8 tallest skyscrapers in Miami have hotel or condo residences.

Houston

Houston is home to 40 skyscrapers. The JPMorgan Chase Tower, which used to be known as the Texas Commerce Tower, is just over 1,000 feet tall and has 75 floors. The building is a banking headquarters for the company. It also happens to be near the business district, theater scene, and downtown. Other notable buildings include the Wells Fargo Bank Plaza and the Williams Tower, although the JPMorgan Chase Tower is the only one that tops 1,000 feet.

Los Angeles

There are 30 skyscrapers in Los Angeles. The city is famous for its large footprint rather than its towering buildings. However, there are still quite a few skyscrapers on the skyline. The Wilshire Grand is the tallest at 1,100 feet. It is also the tallest building in the West. Its name comes from the street where it is located, Wilshire Boulevard. One of the best places to see the city is the Griffith Observatory. While not a skyscraper, it sits on a hill overlooking Los Angeles that provides visitors with the most breathtaking views. Griffith Observatory also has high-tech telescopes and other instruments to view the night sky.

San Francisco

Another California city, San Francisco has over 20 large skyscrapers. There are also a lot of buildings over 400 feet, which is still quite tall. The Salesforce Tower is the tallest skyscraper in the city at 1,070 feet. It was built in 2017 and is a relatively new addition to the skyline. Other notable buildings in San Francisco include 181 Fremont, 555 California Street, and the second-largest building in the city, the Transamerica Pyramid. It was the tallest for over 40 years until the Salesforce Tower surpassed it. The Transamerica Pyramid is one of the most iconic and recognizable thanks to its pyramidal top. It stands at 853 feet tall.

Dallas

The second city in Texas to appear on our list, Dallas has around 20 skyscrapers. The Bank of America Plaza is the tallest building in Dallas at 921 feet tall. Other notable skyscrapers in the city include the Reunion Tower. It is only 561 feet tall but it provides 360-degree views thanks to its spherical design. The Ball’s observation deck is the perfect place to see the city lights. They even offer a special romance package and are open for special events.

Seattle

There are around 19 skyscrapers in Seattle. The most recognizable is the Space Needle, which is 605 feet tall. There are three observation levels at the top where you can see the city from indoors or outdoors. There is even a revolving glass floor so that you can look below. It was originally built in the 1960s for the World’s Fair. Today, it is one of the most recognizable skyscrapers in the United States, a main feature of the Seattle skyline, and a symbol of the city.

Boston

Boston has around 19 skyscrapers in the city. The John Hancock Tower is the tallest skyscraper in the city. It stands at 790 feet tall and has 60 floors. You may know the building as 200 Clarendon (its address) or just as The Hancock, built in 1976. Other buildings in Boston that stand out for their height are the Prudential Tower, which is 750 feet tall, and One Dalton, which is a residential building. All three are in the Back Bay neighborhood of Boston.

Atlanta

There are at least 16 skyscrapers in Atlanta. Additionally, around 40 buildings are over 400 feet tall. The Bank of America Plaza is not only the tallest at 932 feet but it’s also one of the most recognizable buildings in the city. There are 55 floors in the building and has a notable dark brown exterior that really stands out amid the grey and glass of other city buildings. The gold spire at the top is 90 feet tall and covered in gold leaf, giving the building the nickname the “South Star.”