skyscraper

A skyscraper is a tall, continuously habitable building designed for commercial, residential, or mixed use. Its defining features are a structural system that resists lateral wind loads—typically a steel frame or reinforced concrete skeleton—and the presence of elevators that serve many floors. Exterior walls often employ glass curtain walls, which contribute to a sleek, uniform façade and emphasize height.

The development of skyscrapers began in the late 19th century in North America, aided by the invention of safe elevator technology and the steel skeleton frame. The Home Insurance Building in Chicago, completed in 1885, is commonly cited as the first skyscraper; later structures in Chicago and New York expanded the scale of urban skylines. Through the 20th century, advances in materials and design allowed ever-taller buildings, culminating in the international style and a proliferation of high-rise clusters worldwide.

Today, skyscrapers range from modestly tall office towers to megatall structures. The term varies, but contemporary practice often uses categories such as tall, supertall, and megatall, roughly corresponding to the height of the tallest buildings in a city. As of the 2020s, the tallest building in the world is the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, at 828 meters.

Skyscrapers influence urban form, economy, and infrastructure, shaping skylines, zoning, and planning. Their construction raises engineering, safety, and environmental questions, including energy use and wind effects. Innovations in materials, construction methods, and sustainability continue to drive design and regulation of tall buildings.