High-rise buildings have become more common in major cities due to the surge in urban living demand. These skyscrapers, often known as towers, feature office space as well as apartments or other commercial space within its walls.
The United States boasts more high-rise buildings than any other nation; many can be found in major cities; however, not all rank among America’s 10 tallest structures.
New York
New York has long been known for its tall buildings. Early highrises were constructed to house New York City’s increasing population and accommodate new industries; furthering this trend were steel frame buildings which allowed architects to construct structures much taller than masonry ones.
In the late 19th century, two highrise towers of significance – Empire State Building and Singer Building – were completed, signaling an unprecedented boom of highrise construction across America. Over subsequent decades, skyscrapers sprouted rapidly across all 50 states – predominantly residential but with some office space being added as well.
At this time, New York’s skyline changed drastically due to the construction of major towers like the World Trade Center and others that made New York an international financial centre as wealthy individuals from overseas sought refuge in New York with their savings.
This trend continued into the 1960s and 70s with iconic structures like the Chrysler Building and One World Trade Center being constructed. A major driver behind their creation were technological developments like steel frames and elevators which helped speed up construction timeframes while opening up possibilities for urban development.
Some of these projects, like the Seagram Building and MetLife Building, were designed by iconic modern architects such as Mies van der Rohe, Philip Johnson, and Le Corbusier.
Renzo Piano designed the New York Times Building, an 8th tallest structure in Manhattan made of glass and steel that stands at 8 stories high in Midtown New York.
New York’s skyline features iconic towers that often spark controversy, yet their presence can often be controversial. Critics contend that they obscure nearby streets’ views and cast shadows across the cityscape; others point out they are inappropriate structures for their location, potentially jeopardizing public safety.
Zoning laws and planning regulations have become more stringent over time to safeguard residents from unwanted development. Zoning rules primarily deal with the maximum allowable area for building on and maximum height limits on buildings, among other concerns.
Washington DC
Washington DC, the capital city of the USA, is home to many iconic high-rise buildings that stand out in terms of architectural design and history. Examples include Capitol Building and Washington Monument – two structures known for both.
History of Washington high-rise buildings begins in 1894 when the Cairo Apartment Building, at 164 feet 50 m), became the first Washington building with height greater than 150 feet 46 meters.
However, due to security considerations associated with being the seat of government for so many countries, it took some time before enough tall buildings sprung up to create an eye-catching skyline that could draw in tourists and residents alike.
Washington’s slow development of high-rise buildings may also be attributable to the Height of Buildings Act passed in 1910, which restricted their heights to 130 feet or the width of adjacent streets; this law created an obstacle that significantly slowed development of tall structures within Washington city limits.
Though these tall buildings may be limited in number, some remain. Onyx on First is among those already constructed while Square 54 Residential I and PNC Bank Building remain under development.
Some buildings constructed recently feature contemporary architecture. This genre has become increasingly popular since 2000 and features large glass panes and intricate, often asymmetric forms.
Architecture that falls under this genre can be seen throughout the city and is most commonly found in areas like the National Mall, CityCenterDC and Downtown. Some contemporary buildings can also be found in its outer neighborhoods.
Washington DC is an exciting and culturally vibrant place to call home, boasting one of the highest LGBTQ-friendliness rankings among U.S. cities.
Washington DC is not only an incredible place to call home; it also makes an ideal tourist destination. Boasting international culture and African American heritage as well as being the capital of the USA, its museums and other attractions allow tourists to immerse themselves in its history while learning more about its vibrant culture.
Los Angeles
Los Angeles is home to numerous tall buildings. As the third most populated city in the US with 3.8 million inhabitants, Los Angeles remains a vibrant metropolis with many landmarks standing tall over it all.
High-rise buildings can be distinguished by their vertical structures which reach heights of 150 meters or greater, often serving as office space or residential apartments.
Tall buildings were initially intended to house business enterprises and their corporate offices; however, in recent years they have evolved into multifunctional structures with both residential and commercial spaces.
Los Angeles stands out from the pack when it comes to its history of designing high-rise buildings. Beginning in 1904, a law was put in place that severely limited construction of tall structures within city limits; once that restriction was lifted in 1957, an increase was seen in construction activity of tall structures rapidly across Los Angeles.
At this time, Los Angeles also saw its inaugural skyscraper construction – the Braly Building was completed in 1903.
Since then, several tall buildings have been constructed throughout Los Angeles including the Gas Company Tower which was completed in 1971 with 55 floors located in Bunker Hill of Los Angeles.
In the 1950s, it was decided that the city would lower the building height limit to 46 meters as an effort to make the city safer against earthquakes; since then, several major tremors have hit it.
These earthquakes have claimed many lives and damaged infrastructure, so it is crucial that safe buildings be constructed.
In 1988, this led to the creation of Los Angeles Tall Buildings Structural Design Council by a coalition of structural engineering firms and building officials. Their primary mission was to enhance structural designs of tall buildings while also including university research in their efforts.
The council supports and promotes the use of innovative technologies for designing the structural systems of these high-rises, while offering guidelines to protect building occupants.
As Los Angeles has seen an increase in tall buildings, security measures must be implemented by owners and managers of each structure. To address this need, the City commissioned RAND Corporation to conduct a study. Their report included key points including:
Chicago
High-rise apartments and condos in Chicago are popular among city residents due to the breathtaking views they offer, making them the ideal home for both young professionals and families seeking something different from where to call home.
Contrasting with low and mid rise buildings, apartments in tall buildings typically provide more floor space that can be utilized for various purposes; such as entertaining spaces and recreational amenities like pools and fitness centers.
As an example, an outdoor living room on the 69th floor may include a swimming pool that provides breathtaking views of Lake Michigan. Furthermore, high-rise apartments and condos feature many different amenities that make them appealing to people who like exploring their local environments in their free time.
There are also several fascinating historic skyscrapers in the city, designed by well-known architects. These buildings represent its architectural legacy.
Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower), one of the world’s most iconic tall buildings, stands as third tallest in America and 23rd in the world. Built by Sears in Chicago as part of their retail establishment in 1933, its 110-story structure has come to symbolize Chicago itself and be called “City of Chicago.”
The Home Insurance Building in 1885 is widely considered to be the first modern skyscraper because its steel frame dispersed weight more evenly across its entirety, creating a lighter structure than others of its time that relied on load-bearing walls as loadbearing walls were commonly used at that time.
Home Insurance Building was Chicago’s tallest building when completed in 1885 at 10 stories and 138 feet, and is considered an example of its “Chicago School” of architecture which pioneered steel frame construction instead of cast iron and stone construction methods.
Carbon and Carbide Building was constructed in 1929 as another significant landmark, and remains an Art Deco masterpiece with dark green terra cotta tiles and gold leaf details.