Ten of the Best New Skyscrapers From Around the World

Dezeen presents a not-so-humble list of the ten best skyscrapers opened to the public in 2016.

1 minute read

December 20, 2016, 2:00 PM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Shanghai

It's not easy to make a statement in this skyline, but the world's second-tallest building, the Shanghai Tower, managed to pull it off. | LIUSHENGFILM / Shutterstock

Jessica Mairs offers another fun end-of-the-year list from the world of architecture, selecting ten skyscrapers from around the world as the best examples of high-rise construction for 2016.

Included in the top ten are four from New York City, representing all the U.S. buildings on the list: 10 Hudson Yards (by Kohn Pederson Fox),  432 Park Avenue (by Rafael Viñoly Architects), 56 Leonard (by Herzog & de Meuron), and Via 57 West (by BIG). 

Thursday, December 1, 2016 in Dezeen

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

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

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.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Person wearing mask walking through temporary outdoor dining setup lined with bistro lights at dusk in New York City.

Restaurant Patios Were a Pandemic Win — Why Were They so Hard to Keep?

Social distancing requirements and changes in travel patterns prompted cities to pilot new uses for street and sidewalk space. Then it got complicated.

June 19, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of new neifhborhood under construction with enpty lots in foreground.

In California Battle of Housing vs. Environment, Housing Just Won

A new state law significantly limits the power of CEQA, an environmental review law that served as a powerful tool for blocking new development.

July 2 - CALmatters

Low-rise Pearl Sreet mall in Boulfer, Colorado.

Boulder Eliminates Parking Minimums Citywide

Officials estimate the cost of building a single underground parking space at up to $100,000.

July 2 - Boulder Reporting Lab

Two-story buildings with porches in walkable Florida neighborhood.

Orange County, Florida Adopts Largest US “Sprawl Repair” Code

The ‘Orange Code’ seeks to rectify decades of sprawl-inducing, car-oriented development.

July 2 - CNU Public Square