Supertall Luxury Residential Towers Reaching New Heights

If you thought residential buildings had reached their maximum potential for livable height, just wait a few years.

2 minute read

September 22, 2021, 8:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Supertall Residential Towers

Myra Thompson / Shutterstock

"Advances in concrete, elevators, and engineering have created a new breed of buildings," according to an article by James Tarmy.

These new supertall residential towers continue to grow, both in size and controversy, as new products come online, taller than the preceding generation. According to Tarmy, residents of these buildings might be in a for a few surprises, like in the example that opens the article, 432 Park in New York City.

At 432 Park, chandeliers often sway with the building, and creaking sounds can be heard on gusty nights. Elevators have been shut down in high wind because their cables were shaking too much to be safe. Right before Labor Day, the entire building had to clear out for about two days during extensive repairs to the building’s electrical systems. It’s hardly what residents thought they’d be getting for their $20 million-plus investments.

While the swaying is to be expected and buildings like 432 Park are subject to city, state, and international standards, each generation of supertall residential towers "is a proving ground for the next," writes Tarmy. This generation is abundant, in addition to being increasingly tall.

"From 1991 to 2001, an average of twelve 200-meter-plus structures went up around the world each year. From 2011 to 2021, the annual average was 112, according to a report by the Council on Tall Buildings & Urban Habitat," writes Tarmy. "The average height of the 100 tallest buildings in the world has increased 41% since 2001, from 284 meters to 399."

The article also provides details about some of the lessons contributing to the ever increasing height of residential supertall buildings—like what we've learned about wind vortices and construction materials.

Monday, September 20, 2021 in Bloomberg BusinessWeek

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Redlining map of Oakland and Berkeley.

Rethinking Redlining

For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

May 15, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 21, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Rendering of California High-Speed Rail station with bullet train.

California High-Speed Rail's Plan to Right Itself

The railroad's new CEO thinks he can get the project back on track. The stars will need to align this summer.

May 19, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Red SF Muni ticketing machine.

San Francisco Muni Raises Fares a Second Time

A 10–cent fare hike for adults is part of the agency’s plan to chip away at a growing budget deficit.

May 21 - San Francisco Examiner

Electric car charging station with several Chevy Bolts charging in parking lot of store in Bellingham, Washington

Electric Grid Capacity Could Hamstring EV Growth

Industry leaders say the U.S. electric grid is unprepared for the increased demand for power created by electric cars, data centers, and electric homes.

May 21 - GovTech

Top view new development riverside residential and commercial neighborhood with vacant land in Texas, USA.

Texas Bill Supports Adaptive Reuse in Commercial Areas

Senate Bill 840, which was preliminarily approved by the state House, would allow residential construction in areas previously zoned for offices and commercial uses.

May 21 - The Texas Tribune