Discover the Tallest Building in Every U.S. State (2024 Edition)

Manhattan skyline at dusk
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Written by Em Thomas

Updated: November 10, 2023

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The United States is home to some of the tallest buildings in the entire world. New York City is home to the One Trade Center and the Central Park Tower, which both rank in the top fifteen tallest buildings globally.

But what about the lesser-known buildings? Indeed, those feats of architecture deserve some attention, too!

For a full understanding of the architectural heights that are reached in the United States, let’s take a look at the tallest building in every U.S. state. Some are astoundingly tall, while others… not so much!

1. Alabama

The tallest building in Alabama, United States is the RSA Battle House Tower. This tower, located in Mobile, Alabama, was built in 2007. It has 35 floors and reaches a height of 745 feet. The tower is an office building owned by Retirement Services America.

2. Alaska

Located in Anchorage, Alaska, the tallest building in this U.S. state is the Conoco-Phillips Building. It was completed in 1983 and has 22 floors, reaching a height of 296 feet. The building is notably visible in the skyline of Anchorage. The Conoco-Phillips Building isn’t the national headquarters of Conoco-Phillips, but it does serve as the regional headquarters.

3. Arizona

Arizona’s tallest building is located in the state’s capital: Phoenix! The Chase Tower, built in 1972 and designed by Welton Becket and Fred Guirey, is 40 stories tall, reaching a height of 483 feet. It recently sold for over $100 million!

4. Arkansas

Arkansas’s tallest building is also located in the state’s capital. The Simmons Tower is a 40-story tower reaching a height of 546 feet. It’s located in downtown Little Rock and its construction was complete in 1986.

5. California

Wilshire Grand Center

As you can see, the Wilshire Grand Center towers above its neighbors!

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California’s tallest building reaches new heights compared to the first few states. With 73 stories, the Wilshire Grand Center in Los Angeles is the tallest building in California. The Wilshire Grand, completed in 2017, reaches 1,100 feet into the air. It’s both an office building and a hotel.

6. Colorado

The tallest building in Colorado is located in the state’s capital, Denver. Republic Plaza, built in 1984, has 56 stories and reaches 714 feet in height. This office building stands out in the skyline of Denver due to its massive size.

7. Connecticut

Connecticut’s tallest building is the CityPlace I. This skyscraper is 38 stories, reaching 535 feet in height. It was built in the 1980s and has some retro charm from the outside. This office building is located in Hartford, Connecticut.

8. Delaware

Located in Wilmington, the tallest building in Delaware is only 23 stories tall. 1201 North Market Street was built in 1988 and reaches 360 feet into the air. Folks with penthouse offices at 1201 North Market Street can see the Philadelphia skyline from the building!

9. Florida

The Panorama Tower in Miami, Florida is the tallest building in the Sunshine State! This mixed-use building was completed in 2018 and has 85 stories! Its tallest point reaches 868 feet. Massive in size, this building certainly stands out in the Miami skyline.

10. Georgia

Atlanta Skyline

The Bank of America Plaza stands out amongst the city of skyscrapers in Atlanta, Georgia.

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One of the grandest buildings on the list so far, the Bank of America Plaza in Atlanta is the tallest building in the state. While it only has 55 stories, the highest point of the building reaches just over 1,000 feet! It was built in 1992 and is actually the 23rd tallest building in all of the United States!

11. Hawaii

The highest building in Hawaii is the recently constructed Central Ala Moana. This residential building was built in 2021 and has 43 floors, reaching a height of 435 feet. The building is located in Hawaii’s capital, Honolulu!

12. Idaho

Boise, Idaho is home to the tallest building in the state. Constructed in 2013, the skyscraper at Eighth & Main takes the cake for height in Idaho. The building is a mere 18 stories and reaches a height of 323 feet. This office building houses multiple companies and serves as a landmark in the Boise skyline.

13. Illinois

Willis Tower at Night

The Willis Tower was originally called the Sears Tower. When it opened, it was the tallest building in the world!

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Illinois is home to the twelfth-tallest building in the entire world: the Willis Tower! The skydeck of the Willis Tower is the highest viewing point in the U.S. The tower has 108 stories and reaches just over 1,450 feet. Located in Chicago and built in 1974, the Willis Tower is an astounding architectural feat!

14. Indiana

Indiana’s tallest tower is located in Indianapolis. The Salesforce Tower, built in 1990, is an office building with 48 floors. This tower reaches 701 feet into the sky.

15. Iowa

Located in Des Moines, Iowa, the tallest building in the state is 801 Grand. This building was built in 1991 and contains 44 stories. The skyscraper has a unique shape designed by Hellmuth, Obata, and Kassabaum, Inc. 801 Grand reaches 630 feet.

16. Kansas

The Epic Center of Wichita, Kansas is the highest building in the Sunflower State. With 22 floors reaching 320 feet into the air, this office building stands triumphantly among all of its neighbors. It was built in 1987 and is presently home to multiple businesses and corporations. There’s also a field office of the FBI inside!

17. Kentucky

400 west market building downtown aerial Louisville Kentucky sunset in city

While 549 feet isn’t much compared to some of the tallest buildings in the world, the 400 West Market dome towers over surrounding skyscrapers.

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Kentucky‘s tallest building is located in the state’s largest city, Louisville. With 35 stories, the office building at 400 West Market is the tallest in the state. It reaches 549 feet in height and is topped with an incredible dome!

18. Louisiana

The tallest building in Louisiana is the Hancock Whitney Center. This 51-story building is located in New Orleans, Louisiana, and was built in 1972. Reaching a height of almost 700 feet, this building is home to a wide variety of offices and retail space.

19. Maine

The oldest building on our list yet is Saint Joseph’s Church. This three-story church was built in 1870, and the steeple reaches 235 feet into the sky. Maine is not known for its skyscrapers, and this church is proof! Located in Biddeford, the church is still operating today.

20. Maryland

Maryland’s tallest building is the 100 Light building in Baltimore. This 40-story building was built in 1972 and reaches 529 feet in height. The office building is often referred to as the Transamerica Tower and was once the headquarters of the United States Fidelity and Guarantee Company. Now it’s home to a few different companies, as well as a peregrine falcon nest located on the 33rd floor!

21. Massachusetts

Boston

John Hancock Tower is obviously the tallest building in the city!

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The tallest building in Massachusetts is located in the state’s capital, Boston. Built in 1976, the John Hancock Tower contains 60 stories of offices and reaches 790 feet. Not only is the Hancock the tallest building in Massachusetts, but it is the tallest building in all of New England.

22. Michigan

Michigan’s tallest building is located in the southeast metro hub of Detroit. With 73 stories reaching a height of 727 feet, the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center is the tallest building in the state. While most of the tallest buildings on this list have been office buildings, this building is a giant hotel.

23. Minnesota

The IDS tower is the tallest building in Minnesota, reaching a height of 792 feet. This building is located in Minneapolis and houses 57 feet of office space. When this building was constructed in 1973, it was the 16th tallest building in the world.

24. Mississippi

Biloxi, Mississippi, casinos and buildings

Beau Rivage means “beautiful shore.” That’s clear!

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Located in Biloxi, Mississippi, the tallest building in the state is a casino hotel! The Beau Rivage Casino Hotel has 32 floors, reaching a height of 347 feet. It was built in 1999 and is operated by MGM Resorts International.

25. Missouri

The tallest building in Missouri is located in Kansas City and reaches a height of 624 feet. Built in 1988, the One Kansas City Place is a 43-story office building located right downtown. At night, the building glows with multiple colors that change throughout the year.

26. Montana

Billings, Montana is home to the tallest building in the state. Built in 1985, the First Interstate Center rises 20 stories high, reaching 272 feet in height. This office building consists of four towers sandwiched closely together.

27. Nebraska

Nebraska’s tallest building is located in the metro hub of Omaha. The building was built in 2002 and reaches 634 feet in height. It was 45 stories and has won awards for the framework of the building, which uses a mix of cast-in-place concrete and steel.

28. Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

The Las Vegas Strip is home to an abundance of tall hotels and casinos.

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It’s no surprise that the tallest building in Nevada is located in one of the flashiest cities in the world: Las Vegas! The Resorts World Las Vegas was completed in 2021 and technically exists in the unincorporated area of Winchester. However, the building sits on the north end of the Las Vegas strip. The hotel has 57 stories, and its tallest point reaches 679 feet.

29. New Hampshire

New Hampshire’s City Hall Plaza is the tallest building in the state. It’s located in Manchester, New Hampshire, and has 20 stories. Constructed in 1992, this 275-foot building stands out among the other buildings in the Manchester skyline.

30. New Jersey

New Jersey’s tallest building is located in Jersey City. It’s a 79-floor residential building that was constructed fairly recently in 2019. The building, called 99 Hudson, is 900 feet tall and is the 46th tallest building in all of the United States. Being so close to New York City, it has a lot to compete with in terms of height!

31. New Mexico

Located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, this office building is the tallest building in the state. It reaches a height of 351 and contains 22 stories of office space. The Albuquerque Plaza was built in 1990 and has an astounding blueprint. The building is wide and square, topped with a pyramid.

32. New York

One World Trade Center, New York

This building is the tallest in the United States.

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Surprise, surprise. New York is home to some pretty tall buildings. The tallest building in New York City is also the seventh-tallest building in the entire world. The One World Trade Center contains 104 floors and reaches 1,776 feet into the sky. This office building was constructed in 2014 and its height in feet was precisely chosen to reflect the year the United States Declaration of Independence was signed. Incredible!

33. North Carolina

Charlotte, North Carolina is home to the tallest building in the state. That building is the Bank of America Corporate Center. This office building contains 60 stories and reaches 871 feet up. It was built in 1992 and is the headquarters of Bank of America.

34. North Dakota

The tallest building in North Dakota is located in the capital of the state: Bismarck. The building itself is actually the North Dakota State Capitol building! Built in 1934, this 21-story building is 242 feet tall. The building sits on a 160-acre campus with many other government buildings nearby.

35. Ohio

Cleveland, Ohio is home to the tallest building in the state. The Key Tower sits 947 feet tall and contains 57 stories of office space. It was built in 1991 and stands tall, clearly identified on the skyline of Cleveland due to its size.

36. Oklahoma

Oklahoma’s tallest building is located in Oklahoma City. The Devon Energy Center was built in 2012 and reaches 850 feet into the air! It contains 50 stories of office space. The modern-looking building’s only tenant is the Devon Energy Corporation.

37. Oregon

Portland Downtown Cityscape

The Wells Fargo Center is obvious in this skyline photo of Portland.

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Located in Portland, Oregon, the Wells Fargo Center is the tallest building in the state. It’s 546 feet tall with 41 stories and was built in 1972! The skyscraper is connected to a five-story building and contains the Wells Fargo Bank. Presently, if you walk inside the lobby, you’ll see an 1870 stagecoach that belongs to the bank!

38. Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is home to one of the tallest buildings in the United States! The Comcast Technology Center is 1,121 feet tall and contains 60 stories. It’s the 14th tallest building in all of America. This building is primarily office space, but also features a hotel and restaurant on the top floors.

39. Rhode Island

For being so tiny, Rhode Island has a pretty tall tallest building! Located in Providence, the Industrial National Bank Building reaches 428 feet in height with 26 stories. This office building was built in 1927 and features a breathtaking architectural design.

40. South Carolina

The Capitol Center is the tallest building in South Carolina. The office building contains 26 stories and reaches 349 feet. It was built in 1987 and is currently home to government agencies, law firms, and more.

41. South Dakota

South Dakota’s highest building is located in Sioux Falls. The Century Link Tower is only 11 stories and 174 feet high. This office building was built in 1971 and remains fairly unassuming! However, it is still the grandest in South Dakota.

42. Tennessee

Nashville Tennessee

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Tennessee’s tallest building is located in the state’s capital, Nashville. With an astounding architectural design, the 333 Commerce building rises 617 feet. It was built in 1994 and contains 33 stories of office space. This building, often referred to as the Batman Building, was designed by Richard Miller and Earl Swensson Associates. Obviously, this building bears some resemblance to its namesake!

43. Texas

Houston, Texas is home to the tallest building in the state! The 600 Travis building is a narrow skyscraper that reaches 1,002 feet into the air. It consists of 75 floors of office space and towers far above its neighbors. Constructed in 1982, the tower is home to JPMorgan Chase.

44. Utah

Utah is one of the 18 states that has its highest building located in the state capital. The Wells Fargo Center is the tallest building in all of Utah, nestled right downtown in Salt Lake City. Built in 1998, this building reaches 422 feet and consists of 26 floors.

45. Vermont

Vermont features a humble tallest building located in Burlington. The 11-story-tall Decker Towers is a residential building built in 1971. The building is only 124 feet tall. Finally, a little building has made the list!

46. Virginia

The tallest building in Virginia is located right on the coastline in Virginia Beach. It is the Westin Virginia Beach Town Center. This building was built in 2007 and has 38 stories within its 508 feet of height.

47. Washington

Old and New Seattle Architecture

The Columbia Center was designed by Chester L. Lindsey.

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Seattle is home to Washington’s tallest building. The Columbia Center was built in 1985 and consists of 76 floors. The building is 933 feet tall and towers over its surrounding neighbors. When it was built, this building was the fourth-tallest on the West Coast.

48. West Virginia

West Virginia’s tallest building is the beautiful West Virginia State Capitol. With four floors and a height of 293 feet, what the capitol loses in height it makes up in beauty. The building, built in 1932, is topped with a gorgeous golden dome. Certainly, West Virginia’s capital is impressive.

49. Wisconsin

Milwaukee, Wisconsin is home to the tallest building in the state of Wisconsin. The U.S. Bank Center is a 42-story building that reaches just over 600 feet. It was built in 1973 and houses offices for U.S. Bank.

50. Wyoming

One of the shortest tallest buildings on our list is located in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The Wyoming Financial Center was built in 1990 and is 148 feet tall. Despite its short height, it contains 11 stories of office space. While this building may not be beating any national records, it is the tallest building in Wyoming, towering over its neighbors.

Bonus: Washington D.C.!

Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

The Basilica of the National Shrine was built in the 1930s!

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The tallest building in Washington, D.C. is the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. While the building is only one story, its highest point reaches 329 feet.

What’s the tallest building in the United States?

The tallest building in the United States is the One World Trade Center, located in New York City, New York. This office building is an astounding 1,776 feet tall.

What’s the shortest tallest building in the United States?

When comparing the tallest buildings from each state, the shortest is located in Burlington, Vermont. Decker Towers is only 124 feet tall. That means that the One World Trade Center is over 14 times the height of the tallest building in Vermont!

What’s the tallest building in the world?

The tallest building in the world as of 2024 is Burj Khalifa. This skyscraper is located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It’s 2,722 feet tall, making it about a thousand feet taller than the tallest building in the United States!

Construction on Burj Khalifa took five years and was completed in 2009. The building has 163 floors!

These tall buildings range from humble to astoundingly impressive. America is home to a diverse architectural scene, as seen by the variation in heights between each state. While each state may not be breaking global records, the United States as a whole is home to some really impressive feats of architecture!


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About the Author

Em Thomas is a writer at A-Z Animals primarily covering places, travel, and chili peppers! She's an MBA student with a passion for storytelling. Though she's a Michigan native, she presently resides in Denver, Colorado. While she doesn't currently have any pets of her own, she's an avid dogsitter with an affinity for big dogs!

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