This century we have seen skyscrapers die. Now their designs are so embarrassingly bad that they belong in a clown's dressing room - gherkins, walkie-talkies, cheesegraters, gimmicky plastic-looking experiments in form that we have to live with all our lives. And what are these embarrassments, but oversized windows? The skyscraper is supposed to be an overwhelming experience, a statement of might, in solid rock, our society's answer to the Pyramids of Giza. Things the beauty and dimensions of which inspire awe in, and give us something to look up to. Things that any humans of the future will look back on, and uphold as we do the ancient Hellenic and Roman wonders.
Here then, are the skyscrapers that I consider to be the most beautiful in the United States, and in many cases, the World. They are beautiful, and either original Art Deco masterpieces, or from the 'Art Echo' revival era, which occured from around 1983 to 1998 (or thereabouts).
NOTE: As a skyscraper enthusiast I have always defined the minimum roof height of a skyscraper as 230 metres. Due to their design, there may be one or two exceptions that are still close to that minimum roof height. I found in an earlier compilation that my favourite skyscraper architect is Caesar Pelli, who has designed no less than three of these masterpieces (and the Petronas Towers as well). Phillip Johnson & John Burgee designed two - including America's most beautiful skyscraper of all. Kevin Roche, John Dinkeloo & Associates designed two more of these, which, like the trend with the other architects, I found out afterwards.
Enjoy America's best architecture!
15
14
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
THE WORLD FINANCIAL CENTER (esp. WFC 3) - MANHATTAN
4
AMERICA'S THREE MOST BEAUTIFUL SKYSCRAPERS:
3
ONE WORLDWIDE PLAZA
2
40 WALL STREET
1
TRANSCO TOWER (aka WILLIAMS TOWER) - HOUSTON
What Girls & Guys Said
Opinion
1Opinion
Freedom Tower, Manhattan
TransAmerica Pyramid, San Francisco
(Formerly known as) Library Tower, Los Angeles
(Commonly referred to as) Sears Tower, Chicago
Amazing