Tallest Building in the U.S. and 13 Other Stunning Skyscrapers

Eight of the 10 tallest buildings in the United States are in the Big Apple. Volodymyr TVERDOKHLIB / Shutterstock

When you look at the tallest buildings, you're not just gazing at steel and glass; you're witness to a place's aspirations for greatness. These record-breaking skyscrapers reshape urban space, optimize office space and serve as iconic landmarks.

So, what is the tallest building in the U.S. and what are its closest competitors?

Each towering skyscraper tells a story. From New York's One World Trade Center to Chicago's Willis Tower, these towering feats of engineering tell stories of ambition, innovation and breathtaking views.

Let's take a deep dive into the tallest buildings in the United States, the record-holders in each state and the quirky debate over spires versus antennas.

Contents

14 Tallest Buildings in the U.S.
The Tallest Building in Each State
The Spire Debate: What Really Counts in a Building's Height?

14 Tallest Buildings in the U.S.

We'll kick things off with a countdown of the tallest buildings in the U.S., starting with the king of the skyline. These are the giants that define their cities and inspire awe.

1. One World Trade Center: 1,776 ft (541.3 m)

Towering over Lower Manhattan, this architectural marvel symbolizes resilience and hope. Designed by David Childs of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, it's the tallest skyscraper in the Western Hemisphere. The spire? Oh, we'll get to that later.

2. Central Park Tower: 1,550 ft (472.4 m)

Also known as the Nordstrom Tower, this residential skyscraper on West 57th Street is packed with luxurious condominiums and jaw-dropping views of Central Park.

3. Willis Tower (Sears Tower): 1,451 ft (442.3 m)

The pride of Chicago, this masterpiece by architect Bruce Graham reigned as the tallest building in the world for 25 years. Its observation deck, the Skydeck, offers a panoramic view of the city's skyline.

4. 111 West 57th Street (Steinway Tower): 1,428 ft (435.3 m)

Known as the skinniest skyscraper in the world, the fourth-tallest building in the country is a slender marvel in NYC. It was designed by SHoP Architects in a feat that combines elegance and engineering.

5. One Vanderbilt: 1,401 ft (427.0 m)

Standing proudly in Midtown Manhattan, this LEED Platinum-certified structure boasts sustainable development features and thrilling observation decks.

6. 432 Park Avenue: 1,396 ft (425.5 m)

Another New York City giant, this tower is a bold example of mixed-use development, designed by Rafael Viñoly Architects.

7. Trump International Hotel and Tower, Chicago: 1,388 ft (423.1 m)

Combining a luxury international hotel with residential space, this building is a major urban development landmark in the Windy City.

8. 30 Hudson Yards: 1,268 ft (386.5 m)

A recent addition to the New York skyline, this skyscraper includes The Edge, the highest outdoor observation deck in the country.

9. Empire State Building: 1,250 ft (346.3 m)

An iconic symbol of urban life, this classic beauty in Midtown Manhattan remains one of the most iconic buildings in the country. You can't think of New York City without this classic Art Deco tower coming to mind.

10. Bank of America Tower: 1,200 ft (365.8 m)

With its sharp lines and sustainable design, this structure — also known as One Bryant Park — is a major office space hub in Midtown Manhattan. Just because it serves a utilitarian purpose doesn't mean it can't awe passersby with its remarkable size.

11. Aon Center: 1,136 ft (346.3 m)

Wrapping up our list is another Chicago beauty, a stunning skyscraper known for its reflective facade.

12. Comcast Technology Center: 1,121 ft (341.7 m)

This 60-floor skyscraper is Pennsylvania's tallest building and the state's only entry on this list of the tallest in the nation.

13. Wilshire Grand Center: 1,100 ft (335.3 m)

Counting the 300-foot (91.4-meter) spire, this towering Los Angeles structure is California's tallest building.

14. Salesforce Tower: 1,070 ft (326.1 m)

As the tallest building in San Francisco, this sleek tower dominates the Bay Area and champions sustainable development.

The Tallest Building in Each State

While the big names in New York, Chicago and San Francisco dominate the nation's tallest, every state has its star. Let's take a cross-country trip to discover the tallest building in each state.

State	Building	Height (ft)	Height (m)
Alabama	RSA Battle House Tower	745	227.1
Alaska	Conoco-Phillips Building	296	90.2
Arizona	Chase Tower	483	147.2
Arkansas	Simmons Tower	546	166.4
California	Wilshire Grand Center	1,100	335.3
Colorado	Republic Plaza	714	217.6
Connecticut	CityPlace I	535	163.1
Delaware	1201 North Market Street	360	109.7
District of Columbia	Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception	329	100.3
Florida	Panorama Tower	868	264.6
Georgia	Bank of America Plaza	1,023	311.8
Hawaii	The Central Ala Moana	435	132.6
Idaho	Eighth & Main	323	98.5
Illinois	Willis Tower	1,451	442.3
Indiana	Salesforce Tower	701	213.7
Iowa	801 Grand	630	192
Kansas	Epic Center	385	117.3
Kentucky	400 West Market	549	167.9
Louisiana	Hancock Whitney Center	697	212.5
Maine	Saint Joseph's Church	235	71.6
Maryland	100 Light	529	161.2
Massachusetts	John Hancock Tower	790	240.8
Michigan	Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center	727	221.6
Minnesota	IDS Tower	792	241.4
Mississippi	Beau Rivage Casino Hotel	347	105.8
Missouri	One Kansas City Place	624	190.2
Montana	First Interstate Center	272	82.9
Nebraska	First National Bank Tower	634	193.2
Nevada	Fontainebleau Las Vegas	735	224
New Hampshire	City Hall Plaza	275	83.8
New Jersey	99 Hudson	900	274.3
New Mexico	Albuquerque Plaza	351	107
New York	One World Trade Center	1,776	541.3
North Carolina	Bank of America Corporate Center	871	265.5
North Dakota	North Dakota State Capitol	242	73.8
Ohio	Key Tower	947	288.7
Oklahoma	Devon Energy Center	850	259.1
Oregon	Wells Fargo Center	546	166.4
Pennsylvania	Comcast Technology Center	1,121	341.7
Rhode Island	Industrial National Bank Building	428	130.5
South Carolina	Capitol Center	349	106.4
South Dakota	CenturyLink Tower	174	53
Tennessee	AT&T Building	617	188.1
Texas	JPMorgan Chase Tower	1,002	305.4
Utah	Wells Fargo Center	422	128.6
Vermont	Decker Towers	124	37.8
Virginia	The Westin Virginia Beach Town Center	508	154.8
Washington	Columbia Center	933	284.4
West Virginia	West Virginia State Capitol	293	89.3
Wisconsin	U.S. Bank Center	601	183.1
Wyoming	Wyoming Financial Center	148	45.1

The Spire Debate: What Really Counts in a Building's Height?

Here's where things get heated in the world of architecture: Should a spire count as part of a building's official height? The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) says yes, but not everyone agrees.

Take One World Trade Center. Its spire makes up 408 feet (124.3 meters) of its 1,776-foot (541.3-meter) height. Critics argue that a spire is just decorative, unlike antennas, which serve a purpose.

This controversy places Willis Tower (which relies on its massive antenna for extra height) in an interesting spot. Without the spire on One World Trade Center, the Chicago icon would reclaim the title of the tallest in the country.

But spires aren't just about vanity; they're about cultural significance. They enhance a city's skyline, turning tall buildings into timeless symbols. As Adrian Smith, co-designer of the Burj Khalifa, notes, "Height isn't just about function; it's about inspiring the world."