Skyscrapers Soared Their Way to a Record 2014

Last year was a special one for skyscrapers: Ninety-seven new buildings were 200 meters (about 656 feet) or taller, a survey finds. That's a new record, according to the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, which conducted the study; the previous record, in 2011, was 81. For the seventh year running, China finished more such buildings than any other country, with 58, Archinect reports; in fact, 74 of the buildings were in Asia. The US came in fourth place with three completed buildings, putting the country in a tie with Canada, Indonesia, and Japan.

But the US does get to pride itself on having the tallest building of the year: One World Trade Center, which is 541 meters, or about 1775 feet. Indeed, when it comes to tall buildings, 200 meters is just the beginning. Supertall buildings, which are at least 300 meters (some 984 feet) also had a record year. Eleven of them were completed—more than half the number that now exist worldwide, Archinect notes. And 2014's records may not last long: Next year is expected to see up to 130 new buildings 200 meters or taller, and up to 15 in the supertall category. (Los Angeles could soon see a very different skyline.)