Supertall Luxury Residential Towers Reaching New Heights

"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.