Raised high on a suspended platform, Elisha Otis summoned an axe and, to the horror of the crowd at the 1854 New York World's Fair, ordered that it was brought down on the rope holding the platform up.
The platform shuddered, dropped a few inches and stopped. The Otis elevator safety brake suddenly made it possible to carry people hundreds of metres in a lift without the fear of plummeting to their doom.
No longer having to puff up flights of stairs also ushered in an age of structures many stories tall. And nowhere embraced the idea of the skyscraper more than New York City and the US.
By 1890, the 94-metre New York World Building was declared the tallest in the city, with some people claiming it was the tallest in the world. As the decades went by, skyscrapers rose ever higher and the records tumbled.
Manhattan's Woolworth Building topped 242 metres and opened in 1913. The 319-metre Chrysler Building held the title of world's tallest building until 1931, when it was upstaged by the Empire State Building at 381 metres tall.
The Empire State Building was unchallenged until 1971, with the completion of the first 417-metre World Trade Centre tower.
Two years later, the title moved to Chicago and the 442-metre Sears Tower. The completion of Kuala Lumpur's 451.9-metre Petronas Towers in 1998 meant the world's tallest building was outside the US for the first time in 110 years. It may never return.
Still, North America remains indelibly associated with skyscrapers, with the US home to the 10 tallest buildings on the continent.
About a dozen of the world's 100 tallest buildings are also in North America.
That includes One World Trade Centre, built on the site of the destroyed World Trade Centre. It stands at 541.3 metres or, more significant to Americans, 1,776 feet, a reference to the year the Declaration of Independence was signed.
Here are the top 10 tallest buildings in North America:
- One World Trade Centre, New York, 541 metres
- Willis Tower, Chicago, 442 metres
- One Vanderbuilt, New York, 427 metres
- 432 Park Avenue, New York, 425 metres
- Trump International Hotel and Tower, Chicago, 423 metres
- Hudson Yards, New York, 387 metres
- Empire State Building, New York, 381m
- Bank of America Tower, New York, 365 metres
- Aon Centre, Chicago, 346 metres
- 875 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, 343 metres
1. One World Trade Centre, New York
Height: 541 metres
Rising literally from the ashes of the World Trade Centre, this is North America’s tallest building and the only one to make it into the global top ten. A fierce debate raged over what would replace the twin towers destroyed on September 11, 2001, and this patriotic structure at 1776 feet was the eventual winner.
2. Willis Tower, Chicago
Height: 442 metres
Until 2009, this was the Sears Tower, and the last building in America to hold the title of world’s tallest. Completed in 1973 it is now the 23rd tallest in the world. The main tenant is American Airlines.
3. One Vanderbuilt, New York
Height: 427 metres
Opened for business only last month, this stands next to the famous Grand Central Station in Manhattan. Completion was delayed for a month by Covid-19, with New York’s latest landmark including an observation deck and restaurant by top chef Daniel Boulud.
4. 432 Park Avenue, New York
Height: 425 metres
A residential building on what is sometimes called “billionaires’ row”, and with prices of its 125 condominiums to match its height. The floor space is actually taller than One World Trade Centre. Complete with a private restaurant for residents, it was completed in December 2015.
5. Trump International Hotel and Tower, Chicago
Height: 423 metres
It was inevitable that any top ten list would eventually see the president of the United States muscle his way in. Construction was overseen by Bill Rancic, his prize for winning the first series of The Apprentice in 2004.
6. Hudson Yards, New York
Height: 387 metres
Opened in 2019 on the site of a subway train storage facility, New York’s fourth tallest building also includes the second highest observation deck in the western hemisphere after Toronto’s 553m CN Tower, which is classified as a tower rather than a building.
7. Empire State Building, New York
Height: 381m
It may no longer be the tallest building in the world, or even in New York, but the old lady is still a class act. Completed at breathtaking speed in barely a year by 1931, this American icon is instantly recognisable everywhere. It has featured in dozens of films, including Sleepless in Seattle, Independence Day, and of course, that incident with the giant gorilla.
8. Bank of America Tower, New York
Height: 365 metres
So environmentally friendly that it includes bee hives on its rooftop and rainwater collection, this is also one of New York’s most valuable office buildings and was completed in 2009.
9. Aon Centre, Chicago
Height: 346 metres
Back in 1973 this was once the world’s tallest marble clad building until a rethink caused by a huge slab falling off. Eventually re-clad in the 1990s at a cost of around US$80, it was originally named after Standard Oil until it was bought by the Aon Corporation in 1999.
10. 875 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago
Height: 343 metres
Formally the John Hancock Building, back in 1968 this was the second tallest building in the world. A major tourist attraction with an open air sky deck and a 95th floor restaurant, it will soon lose its American top ten place with the opening of Chicago’s 365m Vista Tower, incidentally the world's tallest building designed by a woman, Jeanne Gang.
A version of this article was first published on October 13, 2020
Mobile phone packages comparison
SERIE A FIXTURES
Saturday (UAE kick-off times)
Atalanta v Juventus (6pm)
AC Milan v Napoli (9pm)
Torino v Inter Milan (11.45pm)
Sunday
Bologna v Parma (3.30pm)
Sassuolo v Lazio (6pm)
Roma v Brescia (6pm)
Verona v Fiorentina (6pm)
Sampdoria v Udinese (9pm)
Lecce v Cagliari (11.45pm)
Monday
SPAL v Genoa (11.45pm)
FIGHT CARD
From 5.30pm in the following order:
Featherweight
Marcelo Pontes (BRA) v Azouz Anwar (EGY)
Catchweight 90kg
Moustafa Rashid Nada (KSA) v Imad Al Howayeck (LEB)
Welterweight
Mohammed Al Khatib (JOR) v Gimbat Ismailov (RUS)
Flyweight (women)
Lucie Bertaud (FRA) v Kelig Pinson (BEL)
Lightweight
Alexandru Chitoran (BEL) v Regelo Enumerables Jr (PHI)
Catchweight 100kg
Mohamed Ali (EGY) v Marc Vleiger (NED)
Featherweight
James Bishop (AUS) v Mark Valerio (PHI)
Welterweight
Gerson Carvalho (BRA) v Abdelghani Saber (EGY)
Middleweight
Bakhtiyar Abbasov (AZE) v Igor Litoshik (BLR)
Bantamweight:
Fabio Mello (BRA) v Mark Alcoba (PHI)
Welterweight
Ahmed Labban (LEB) v Magomedsultan Magemedsultanov (RUS)
Bantamweight
Trent Girdham (AUS) v Jayson Margallo (PHI)
Lightweight
Usman Nurmagomedov (RUS) v Roman Golovinov (UKR)
Middleweight
Tarek Suleiman (SYR) v Steve Kennedy (AUS)
Lightweight
Dan Moret (USA) v Anton Kuivanen (FIN)
If you go…
Emirates launched a new daily service to Mexico City this week, flying via Barcelona from Dh3,995.
Emirati citizens are among 67 nationalities who do not require a visa to Mexico. Entry is granted on arrival for stays of up to 180 days.
GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
Abu Dhabi Card
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 80,000 1,400m
National selection: AF Mohanak
5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 90,000 1,400m
National selection: Jayide Al Boraq
6pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 100,000 1,400m
National selection: Rocket Power
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Championship Listed (PA) Dh 180,000 1,600m
National selection: Ihtesham
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 1,600m
National selection: Noof KB
7.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 80,000 2.200m
National selection: EL Faust
The biog
Born: High Wycombe, England
Favourite vehicle: One with solid axels
Favourite camping spot: Anywhere I can get to.
Favourite road trip: My first trip to Kazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan. The desert they have over there is different and the language made it a bit more challenging.
Favourite spot in the UAE: Al Dhafra. It’s unique, natural, inaccessible, unspoilt.
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Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
THE%20SWIMMERS
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Racecard
6.30pm: Mazrat Al Ruwayah Group Two (PA) US$55,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.05pm: Meydan Trophy (TB) $100,000 (Turf) 1,900m
7.40pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (D) 1,200m
8.15pm: Balanchine Group Two (TB) $250,000 (T) 1,800m
8.50pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,000m
9.25pm: Firebreak Stakes Group Three (TB) $200,000 (D) 1,600m
10pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 2,410m
The National selections: 6.30pm: RM Lam Tara, 7.05pm: Al Mukhtar Star, 7.40pm: Bochart, 8.15pm: Magic Lily, 8.50pm: Roulston Scar, 9.25pm: Quip, 10pm: Jalmoud
The specs: 2018 Audi Q5/SQ5
Price, base: Dh183,900 / Dh249,000
Engine: 2.0L, turbocharged in-line four-cylinder / 3.0L, turbocharged V6
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic / Eight-speed automatic
Power: 252hp @ 5,000rpm / 354hp @ 5,400rpm
Torque: 370Nm @ 1,600rpm / 500Nm @ 1,370rpm
Fuel economy: combined 7.2L / 100km / 8.3L / 100km
Founder: Ayman Badawi
Date started: Test product September 2016, paid launch January 2017
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Software
Size: Seven employees
Funding: $170,000 in angel investment
Funders: friends
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
The team
Photographer: Mateusz Stefanowski at Art Factory
Videographer: Jear Valasquez
Fashion director: Sarah Maisey
Make-up: Gulum Erzincan at Art Factory
Model: Randa at Art Factory Videographer’s assistant: Zanong Magat
Photographer’s assistant: Sophia Shlykova
With thanks to Jubail Mangrove Park, Jubail Island, Abu Dhabi
Analysis
Members of Syria's Alawite minority community face threat in their heartland after one of the deadliest days in country’s recent history. Read more
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Zombieland: Double Tap
Director: Ruben Fleischer
Stars: Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone
Four out of five stars
Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
England Test squad
Joe Root (captain), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow (wicketkeeper), Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler, Alastair Cook, Sam Curran, Keaton Jennings, Dawid Malan, Jamie Porter, Adil Rashid, Ben Stokes.
Tom Fletcher on 'soft power'
The Bio
Favourite place in UAE: Al Rams pearling village
What one book should everyone read: Any book written before electricity was invented. When a writer willingly worked under candlelight, you know he/she had a real passion for their craft
Your favourite type of pearl: All of them. No pearl looks the same and each carries its own unique characteristics, like humans
Best time to swim in the sea: When there is enough light to see beneath the surface
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
The stats
Ship name: MSC Bellissima
Ship class: Meraviglia Class
Delivery date: February 27, 2019
Gross tonnage: 171,598 GT
Passenger capacity: 5,686
Crew members: 1,536
Number of cabins: 2,217
Length: 315.3 metres
Maximum speed: 22.7 knots (42kph)
TICKETS
Tickets start at Dh100 for adults, while children can enter free on the opening day. For more information, visit www.mubadalawtc.com.
Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
- Flexible work arrangements
- Pension support
- Mental well-being assistance
- Insurance coverage for optical, dental, alternative medicine, cancer screening
- Financial well-being incentives
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
Indika
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Company Fact Box
Company name/date started: Abwaab Technologies / September 2019
Founders: Hamdi Tabbaa, co-founder and CEO. Hussein Alsarabi, co-founder and CTO
Based: Amman, Jordan
Sector: Education Technology
Size (employees/revenue): Total team size: 65. Full-time employees: 25. Revenue undisclosed
Stage: early-stage startup
Investors: Adam Tech Ventures, Endure Capital, Equitrust, the World Bank-backed Innovative Startups SMEs Fund, a London investment fund, a number of former and current executives from Uber and Netflix, among others.
