12 Oldest Skyscrapers in the World
Skyscrapers are more than engineering marvels—they are cultural icons, symbols of innovation, and landmarks of human creativity. Today’s skyline features towers soaring over 3,000 feet, but their history dates back hundreds of years. Their story is one of ambition, ingenuity, and evolution.
Interestingly, skyscraper construction has soared recently, with over 1,400 buildings taller than 200 meters erected globally since 2010, according to the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH). Read on for the 12 oldest skyscrapers in the world, showcasing their historical and cultural importance.
Shibam, Yemen
Built in 1533, Shibam is known as the “Oldest Skyscraper City” due to its mud-brick high-rises, which were constructed to protect against Bedouin raids. Some towers rise to 100 feet (approximately 30 meters), earning the nickname “Manhattan of the Desert.”
Architectural historians regard Shibam as revolutionary for its time. It blended urban planning with vertical construction to maximize limited land space. UNESCO designated it a World Heritage Site to preserve its legacy. Its towers rely on sun-dried mud bricks, requiring careful maintenance to withstand time. The city’s vertical planning was an early solution to protect against flooding and attacks.
Home Insurance Building, Chicago, USA
Completed in 1885, the Home Insurance Building in Chicago is considered the “father of the modern skyscraper.” It introduced a steel-frame design that forever changed architectural practices. Before its demolition in 1931, this 10-story structure established the skeleton frame model, allowing for lighter and taller buildings.
Designed by William Le Baron Jenney, this innovation made skyscrapers structurally sound and economically efficient. As a result, Chicago became a hub for architectural innovation. At 138 feet tall, the building used 60% less weight compared to traditional brick constructions of its size.
Hotel Chelsea, New York City, USA
Completed in 1884, Hotel Chelsea stands as an architectural and cultural icon. It was designed in the Queen Anne Revival style with Victorian Gothic elements, so it became a haven for artists and writers during the 20th century.
The rich creative atmosphere inspired works by tenants such as Bob Dylan and Stanley Kubrick. Between 1954 and 2011, the hotel housed over 250 notable figures in literature, music, and art.
Osborne Apartments, New York, USA
Built in 1885, the Osborne Apartments redefined urban living by introducing high-rise luxury residences at a time when most vertical buildings were commercial. Its Renaissance Revival style, featuring terra-cotta and ornate stone carvings, continues to draw admiration.
Lavish interiors, including gilded ceilings and mosaic artwork, cemented its reputation as a symbol of luxury. The Osborne Apartments began America’s shift toward high-rise residential living, paving the way for today’s vertical cities.
Temple Court Building, New York City, USA
Built in 1883, the Temple Court Building (now part of the luxury Beekman Hotel) is the oldest surviving skyscraper. It exemplifies Romanesque Revival architecture, combining load-bearing walls with cast and wrought iron elements for structural support.
Its iconic atrium, featuring a skylight, remains a rare and stunning design element. Admirers continue to admire its impressive and innovative design.
New York Times Building, New York City, USA
Constructed in 1889, the New York Times Building originally served as the newspaper’s headquarters. It represents a balance of functional design and architectural beauty characteristic of the late 19th century.
Lavish interiors and striking masonry secure its status as a historic landmark. Standing 162 feet tall, this building helped establish a blend of practicality and aesthetics in office design.
Manhattan Building, Chicago, USA
Completed in 1891, the Manhattan Building is renowned as Chicago’s oldest remaining high-rise. Its granite-and-brick facade encapsulates architectural resilience, offering occupants peace of mind with enhanced fireproofing features—a major concern following Chicago’s Great Fire in 1871.
Designed by William Le Baron Jenney, it was the first fully steel-supported structure in Chicago, setting the standard for future innovations.
Ames Building, Boston, USA
Built in 1893, the Ames Building was initially constructed as the Ames family’s headquarters and served as Boston’s tallest structure for decades, topping 196 feet. Its imposing Romanesque architecture highlights meticulous craftsmanship with its granite stone façade.
Today, the Ames Building is student housing, bridging historical preservation with contemporary utility.
Rookery Building
Located in Chicago, USA, and completed in 1888, the Rookery Building is famed for its elegant ironwork and efficiency-enhancing features. It introduced innovations such as a central light court and flooding interior spaces with natural light before electric lighting became common.
Architect Frank Lloyd Wright later oversaw renovations that solidified its legacy. The name reportedly came from the “rook” birds that once nested in the area.
Sun Building
Built in Washington D.C., USA, in 1887, the Sun Building was initially created as The Washington Post’s home. It masterfully blends Romanesque and Gothic revival styles with ornate ornamentation and an intricate stone façade that captures the grandeur of late 19th-century commercial architecture. Its design and iconic construction earned it historic protection as part of D.C.’s architectural heritage.
Park Row Building
Completed in 1899 in New York City, USA, the Park Row Building was the world’s tallest building, standing at 391 feet. Its double-tower design blended aesthetic appeal with a functional workspace, making it remarkably ahead of its time.
Construction costs reached $2.4 million, a staggering figure for the late 19th century.
Wainwright Building
Located in St. Louis, USA, and completed in 1891, the Wainwright Building is considered a pioneer of modern skyscraper design. Designed by Louis Sullivan, it embodied the principle of “form follows function,” with simplicity and structural honesty at its core.
It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1968 and remains a significant architectural attraction.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information. It is not intended to be professional advice.
Disclosure: For transparency, this content was partly developed with AI assistance and carefully curated by an experienced editor to be informative and ensure accuracy.
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