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Supertall skyscraper construction projects currently underway

Written By Sarah Poirier

Close-Up Aerial View of 432 Park Avenue – NYC’s Iconic Super-Tall Skyscraper

The next wave of supertall skyscrapers currently under construction is expected to bring bold skylines to several cities across the world. These supertall skyscrapers reflect economic power, engineering breakthroughs, and national pride. Defined by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) as buildings 300 metres (984 feet) or taller, we highlight the most significant projects globally. Our list includes the Jeddah Tower in Saudi Arabia, the Waldorf Astoria in Miami, Florida, and the impressive Azabudai Hills Mori JP Tower in Tokyo, Japan.

A closer look at today’s skyscraper construction projects

The global economic recovery and demand for mixed-use real estate have reignited interest in megaprojects. 

In North America, the U.S. and Canada are experiencing a renewed confidence in high-rise investments, particularly in cities such as New York, Austin, Toronto, and Miami. In other parts of the world, like the Middle East and Asia, we’re seeing other countries pushing boundaries with skyscrapers well over 500 metres, similar to the Burj Khalifa. According to data from the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH), more than 70 supertall towers are currently under construction worldwide, which is a 22% increase from 2022.

The current crop of under-construction supertalls is also seeing a design shift moving away from just a simple tall structure. They now feature elegant forms, wind-tuned structures, carbon-reducing features, and sky gardens at the top. This change in design makes the skyscrapers more appealing to consumers and tourists worldwide.

Developers are betting big on the idea that people want more than just an office or condo in the sky; they want an experience. With cities competing for global attention, these supertalls have become a way to show off what’s possible when design and ambition come together.

Supertall skyscraper construction projects you need to see to believe

1. Jeddah Tower – Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Jeddah tower under construction in a desert.

Photo courtesy of https://architectuul.com/

  • Height: 1,000+ m (3,281+ ft)
  • Expected completion: Late 2028
  • Developer: Jeddah Economic Company

When completed, Jeddah Tower will rise over 1,000 meters (3,281 feet), making it the tallest supertall skyscraper ever built. The project is located in the north of Jeddah, near the Red Sea, and is part of a massive urban development known as Jeddah Economic City. The tower was designed by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, the same architects behind the Burj Khalifa, and is being developed by the Jeddah Economic Company. Work began in 2013 but was paused in 2018 due to issues with contractors and funding. Construction resumed in 2024, with a renewed push to finish the tower by 2028.

The tower is designed as a multipurpose structure that will house offices, luxury apartments, a Four Seasons hotel, and one of the world’s highest observation decks, expected to be located around the 660-meter mark. The structure’s aerodynamic shape is inspired by desert plant forms and designed to withstand high wind speeds at extreme heights. It features a three-winged design that reduces structural load and offers panoramic views of the coastline. The foundation of Jeddah Tower is one of the deepest ever constructed, reaching over 100 meters into the ground to anchor the massive load of the building.

2. Waldorf Astoria Miami – Miami, Florida, USA

Photo courtesy of https://www.miamicondoinvestments.com/

  • Height: 1,049 ft (320 m)
  • Completion: 2027
  • Developer: PMG and Greybrook Realty

The Waldorf Astoria Miami will become the tallest building in Florida and one of the tallest in the southern United States when completed in 2027. Designed by architect Carlos Ott in collaboration with Sieger Suarez, the tower features a distinctive “stacked box” design, comprising nine offset glass cubes. The structure will rise to 320 meters (1,049 feet), dramatically altering the Miami skyline and symbolizing the city’s evolution into a global hub for business and luxury.

The tower is being developed by Property Markets Group and Greybrook Realty Partners, and it includes over 360 private residences and 205 hotel rooms operated by the Waldorf Astoria brand. It will also feature luxurious amenities, including a full-service spa, resort-style pools, private dining spaces, and a signature restaurant. Its location on Biscayne Boulevard offers stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay. As of 2025, foundation and substructure work is complete, and vertical construction is progressing with high pre-sale occupancy.

3. The One – Toronto, Canada

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.com

  • Height: 338 m (1,109 ft)
  • Revised completion date: 2026
  • Developer: Mizrahi Developments

The One is currently the tallest skyscraper under construction in Canada, located at the bustling intersection of Yonge and Bloor in downtown Toronto. It is expected to reach 338 meters (1,109 feet) upon completion in 2026, surpassing all existing towers in the country. The structure is a mixed-use development featuring commercial space, a hotel, and high-end condominiums. Designed by the British architectural firm Foster + Partners and developed by Mizrahi Developments, The One stands out with its bold exoskeleton frame and minimal internal columns.

The building’s exterior consists of large diagonal steel beams that form an X-pattern across the facade, reducing the need for interior supports and maximizing open space within. The tower will feature a 175-room hotel on its lower floors and over 400 residential units on its upper levels. Construction began in 2018 but faced a series of delays, including financial setbacks and pandemic-related supply chain issues. However, as of 2025, significant vertical progress has been made, with cladding and mechanical installations underway.

4. Tribune East Tower – Chicago, Illinois, USA

Photo courtesy of https://chicagoyimby.com/

  • Height: 1,422 ft (433 m)
  • Estimated completion: 2028
  • Developer: CIM Group and Golub & Company

Tribune East Tower is a planned supertall skyscraper in downtown Chicago that will rise to 433 meters (1,422 feet), making it the tallest building in the city once completed. Located near the historic Tribune Tower, this project is being developed by CIM Group and Golub & Company. Designed by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, the tower will include 113 floors featuring apartments, hotel rooms, retail outlets, and amenities. 

The structure will be a tapered glass tower that narrows as it rises, with tiered setbacks that give it a distinctive, tiered profile. The design accommodates outdoor terraces and offers visual separation between the residential and hotel components. Although approved in 2020, the project’s construction timeline was delayed due to economic uncertainty during the pandemic. As of mid-2025, enabling works and utility rerouting are underway, with core construction expected to begin in early 2026.

Tribune East Tower represents the next chapter in Chicago’s architectural narrative. The building’s mix of uses and public spaces reflects a growing trend toward vertical mixed-use development. It also plays into broader urban goals of densifying the city core without expanding its footprint. Once complete, it will serve as a signature element in the evolving skyline and offer a new model for supertall skyscraper construction in America’s heartland.

5. Central Park Tower – New York City, USA

Photo courtesy of https://www.dezeen.com/

  • Height: 472 m (1,550 ft)
  • Completion target: Final phases through 2026
  • Developer: Extell Development Company

Central Park Tower stands at an impressive 472 meters (1,550 feet), making it the tallest residential building in the world and the second-tallest structure in New York City after One World Trade Center. Located on 57th Street, also known as Billionaire’s Row, the tower was developed by Extell Development Company and designed by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture. The structure topped out in 2019, but finishing work, including interior customization for ultra-high-end units and final retail buildouts, is expected to extend through 2026. Its prime location offers unobstructed views of Central Park to the north and Midtown Manhattan to the south, a key selling point for buyers from around the globe.

The building includes 179 luxury condominiums starting on the 32nd floor, with amenities such as a private fitness center, swimming pool, cigar lounge, and ballroom. Perhaps its most notable commercial tenant is Nordstrom, whose seven-level flagship department store anchors the tower’s base. 

The entrance to the residences is entirely separate and private, ensuring discretion for high-net-worth residents. Pricing for the units has broken records, with several penthouses listed above $100 million. The uppermost residence spans over 17,000 square feet and offers 360-degree skyline views. The building’s slender profile is made structurally possible by a reinforced concrete frame and tuned mass damper, designed to reduce sway caused by high winds at extreme heights.

6. Merdeka 118 – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Merdeka 118 – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.com

  • Height: 678.9 m (2,227 ft)
  • Estimated opening: 2025
  • Developer: PNB Merdeka Ventures

Merdeka 118 is nearing full completion and will be the tallest building in Southeast Asia and the second-tallest in the world upon its opening in 2025. Rising to 678.9 meters (2,227 feet), the tower dominates the Kuala Lumpur skyline. It sits next to the historic Merdeka Stadium, where Malaysia declared independence in 1957, and its design reflects that national pride. The tower’s geometry is inspired by the silhouette of the country’s founding father, Tunku Abdul Rahman, raising his hand in celebration.

The building includes over 100 floors of commercial offices, a Park Hyatt hotel, retail space, and observation decks. It also features a high-speed elevator system capable of traveling at 8 meters per second, one of the fastest in the region. The design incorporates sustainable features, including rainwater harvesting, energy-efficient systems, and shaded facades that minimize solar gain. The tower is part of a broader development known as the Merdeka 118 Precinct, which includes green parks, malls, and pedestrian zones.

Construction of Merdeka 118 commenced in 2014 and has been undertaken by PNB Merdeka Ventures. Despite delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, structural work topped out in late 2021. The final interior fit-outs, particularly in the hotel and commercial zones, are expected to be completed by 2025. 

7. 111 West 57th Street – New York City, USA

Overhead aerial view of 111 West 57th Street, the world's skinniest residential skyscraper, next to Central Park in Midtown Manhattan

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.com

  • Height: 435 m (1,428 ft)
  • Projected full completion: 2025
  • Developer: JDS Development

111 West 57th Street, also known as Steinway Tower, rises to 435 meters (1,428 feet) and is one of the most visually striking additions to the New York City skyline. Located on Billionaire’s Row, it is the world’s most slender supertall skyscraper, with a height-to-width ratio of 24:1. The project was developed by JDS Development Group in collaboration with Property Markets Group and designed by SHoP Architects. The tower stands atop the historic Steinway Hall, a 1925 landmark that once served as the flagship for Steinway & Sons, the renowned piano company. The development integrates the original building’s ornate façade with a sleek, modern tower that soars nearly a quarter-mile into the air.

The tower contains only 60 ultra-luxury condominiums, which start above 200 meters and offer panoramic views of Central Park and Midtown. Units are designed by Studio Sofield and include finishes such as white oak floors, custom cabinetry, and bronze fixtures. Many residences feature double-height ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, and layouts that span full floors, offering unmatched privacy. Amenities include a 25-meter indoor swimming pool, private dining and lounge areas, a fitness center with a terrace, and concierge services. Sales have targeted the global luxury market, with several residences listed well above $50 million. 

What to expect next with supertall skyscrapers under construction

More of these towers are being built with resilience and climate in mind. New structural systems focus on wind resistance, seismic protection, and energy management. Design-wise, we’re seeing narrower towers with offset cores, integrated green spaces, and ultra-high-speed elevator systems. Builders are adapting to zoning limits through creative massing and the integration of public space incentives.

Projects like the planned Tower Fifth in New York (expected to exceed 1,500 feet) and the new KPF-designed towers in Riyadh and Jakarta are already funded and are expected to break ground soon. We’re also seeing growing interest in AI-assisted construction planning, where AI models simulate load, timeline, and logistics in real time. This allows faster approvals and better coordination between trades.

In North America, cities with rising land costs and limited zoning for horizontal expansion will likely lead the next wave of supertall announcements. Look to Seattle, Atlanta, and Vancouver to enter the supertall skyscraper club within the next decade. 

Want to read more about what’s rising next? Check out our other articles on big builds in 2025:

Construction projects in Saudi Arabia
10 mixed-use construction projects on the go in 2025
Construction projects in British Columbia (2025)
Renewable energy projects
Solar energy projects currently under construction

Want more insider info on major builds, materials, and what’s trending on jobsites? Subscribe to our newsletter here: https://underthehardhat.org/join-us/

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