Burj Khalifa, Dubai

The Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world, soaring 828 meters and dominating Dubai's skyline since 2010. Designed by SOM's Adrian Smith, this $1.5 billion mega-structure houses over 200 floors, including the world's highest observation deck on level 148. It outperforms #2 Eiffel Tower by a staggering 498 meters in height and draws 1.87 million visitors annually to its panoramic views. The tower's Y-shaped floor plan reduces wind forces, a key engineering feat that enables its record-breaking stature—30% taller than any rival completed before it.