According to The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, a building is structurally "topped-off" when it is under construction, and "the highest primary structural element is in place."
Muscling into the top five is this ice-like shard appropriately located in subarctic St Petersburg. Originally planned for the historic city center, the 462-meter tower was relocated to a less congested (and less controversial) area where it will rise as part of a new office and cultural district. Completion: 2018
via lakhta center press center
China Zun, Beijing, China —
Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates designed Beijing's new flagship skyscraper in the form of a 'zun' -- an ancient Chinese ceremonial vessel. Climbing 528 meters, its concave shape expands office space on prime high floors. It recalls the slender hourglass figure of Canton Tower, currently China's second-tallest structure.Completion: 2018
Courtesy of Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates
Tianjin CTF Finance Centre, Tianjin, China —
With shimmering skin, this office/hotel/apartment tower in a major Chinese port city folds and tapers its way to a staggering 530-meter height. It is one of six supertalls designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill currently under construction. They are architects of the reigning world champ Burj Khalifa.Completion: 2018
Courtesy of SOM
Global Financial Center, Tower 1, Shenyang, China —
Dubbed the Pearl of the North for its giant inset 'pearl' housing an executive club, this is the first of two supertalls (> 1,000 feet) anchoring a massive mixed-use master plan at the heart of this important provincial hub. It will top out at a none-too-shabby 568 meters.Completion: 2018
courtesy of atkins
Wuhan Greenland Center, Wuhan, China —
China-based Greenland Group is developing five of the 100 tallest towers currently under construction, including the leader of the pack racing toward a 636-meter summit. Unless Jeddah Tower mounts a miraculous late surge, Wuhan Greenland will edge out Shanghai Tower for World #2 when it tops out next year.Completion: 2018
