List of tallest buildings in South America explained

South America has historically seen a relatively modest demand for skyscrapers, with the majority of the continent's tallest buildings being residential. Office buildings have not historically been built taller than residential buildings in the region, though this scenario may well change in the next decades, as South America has been experiencing substantial economic growth.

Most of the continent's high-rises are in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Venezuela, with the tallest buildings being located in Buenos Aires, São Paulo, Balneário Camboriú, Santiago, Bogotá, Cartagena, and Caracas, all of which (except Balneário Camboriú) are one of the biggest financial centres of these countries.

History

The first skyscrapers of at least 100m (300feet) height in South America were built in the 1920s, and included the Martinelli Building in São Paulo, Palacio Barolo in Buenos Aires, and the Palacio Salvo in Montevideo. Martinelli was not only the first, but the tallest skyscraper of South America until being surpassed by the Altino Arantes Building, also in São Paulo, in 1947.

Many of the tallest buildings in South America are located in central business districts that emerged as early as the 19th century, or in office parks developed during the second half of the 20th century. Some of the most notable include Catalinas Norte and Puerto Madero (Buenos Aires); along the Centro Empresarial Nações Unidas and the Central Zone of São Paulo (São Paulo); Sanhattan (Santiago); and Parque Central Complex (Caracas).

Tallest buildings

RankNameImageLocationCountryHeight
m / (ft)
FloorsYearNotes
1Santiago Chile3000NaN0622014Tallest building in Chile and South America; first supertall building to be constructed in South America; second tallest building in Latin America (behind Mexico's T.Op Torre 1); fifth tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere (behind Indonesia's Autograph Tower and Luminary Tower, and Australia's Q1 Tower and Australia 108).[1]
2=2940NaN0 812023 tallest buildings in Brazil.[2]
2=2940NaN0 812023 tallest buildings in Brazil.
4Balneário Camboriú Brazil2900NaN0842022[3]
5Alvear Tower2390NaN0 542017tallest building in Argentina.[4]
62350NaN0 662019
7Caracas2250NaN0561979tallest building in Venezuela; tallest building in South America from 1979 until 2014.
8BD Bacatá (South Tower)Bogotá Colombia2160NaN0672015tallest building in Colombia.[5]
9Epic TowerBalneário Camboriú Brazil2090NaN0552020
10Estelar HotelCartagena de Indias Colombia2020NaN0522017
11Torres Atrio (South Tower)Bogotá Colombia2000NaN0442019
12Torre ColpatriaBogotá Colombia1960NaN0501978tallest building in South America from 1978 until 1979.
13Titanium La PortadaSantiago Chile1940NaN0552010[6]
14Centro de Comercio InternacionalBogotá Colombia1920NaN0501977tallest building in South America from 1977 until 1978.
15Orion ComplexGoiânia Brazil1910NaN0502018[7]
16Centro Financiero ConfinanzasCaracas1900NaN0451994[8]
17Museo Parque CentralBogotá Colombia1850NaN0452017
18Torre EBogotá Colombia1840NaN0462017
19=Tour GeneveJoão Pessoa1830NaN0512018
19=Cali TowerCali Colombia1830NaN0461984
21Mercantil TowerCaracas1790NaN0401984[9]
22Millennium Palace CamboriúBalneário Camboriú1770NaN0462014[10]
23=Kingdom Park Vaca BravaGoiânia Brazil1750NaN0522019
23=Coltejer BuildingMedellín Colombia1750NaN0371972
25=E Tower North PointBogotá Colombia1720NaN0462018
25=Torre CaviaBuenos Aires1720NaN0452009[11]
25=Concordia CorporateNova Lima Brazil1720NaN0442018
25=Platina 220São Paulo Brazil1720NaN0402022
29Ciudadela San Martín Torre NorteBogotá Colombia1710NaN0471983
29Mirante do ValeSão Paulo1700NaN0511960tallest building in South America from 1960 until 1977.
30Grand Bay ClubCartagena de Indias Colombia1700NaN0432009
31Figueira Altos do TatuapéSão Paulo Brazil1680NaN0522021
32Edifício ItáliaSão Paulo1650NaN0451965
33Rio Sul CenterRio de Janeiro1640NaN0401982
34Green TowerLa Paz163.4m (536.1feet)402022tallest building in Bolivia.[12]
34Majestic BuildingBucaramanga1630NaN0422015
35Mirage 57Barranquilla1620NaN0432016
36Altino Arantes BuildingSão Paulo1610NaN0361947tallest building in South America from 1947 until 1960.
37Avianca BuildingBogotá Colombia1610NaN0411969
38Mulieris TowersBuenos Aires1610NaN0442008
39El Faro TowersBuenos Aires1600NaN0462005
40Torre del CaféMedellín Colombia1600NaN0361975
41PalmettoCartagena de Indias Colombia1600NaN0422009
42Repsol-YPF TowerBuenos Aires1600NaN0362008[13]
43Provincial TowerCaracas1590NaN0401984[14]
40Villa SerenaBalneário Camboriú1590NaN0462013
41Le Parc TowerBuenos Aires1580NaN0511995
42Torre NorteSão Paulo1580NaN0381999
43Parque Cidade JardimSão Paulo1580NaN0412010
44Brookfield Towers (Tower A)São Paulo1580NaN0472013
45Telecommunications TowerMontevideo Uruguay1570NaN0352002tallest building in Uruguay.[15]
46Palmetto ElipticCartagena de Indias Colombia1560NaN0412011
47Château Puerto MaderoBuenos Aires1550NaN0502010
48Torre BBVA Banco FrancésBuenos Aires1550NaN0332015
49Mansão Margarida Costa PintoSalvador1540NaN0432008
50Grattacielo BuildingBarranquilla Colombia1530NaN0392014
51Centro Financiero LatinoCaracas1530NaN0321978
52Universe Life SquareCuritiba1520NaN0452014
53Go Green BuildingBucaramanga Colombia1500NaN0382015
54CAF TowerCaracas1500NaN0402014
55Intercontinental Hotel (Isla Multiespacio Complex)Valencia1500NaN0402014
56Girasoles TowerLa Paz1500NaN0402013[16]
57Birmann 21São Paulo1490NaN0241996
58Premier VisionGoiânia1480NaN0472005
59E-TowerSão Paulo1480NaN0372005
60Infinitum CartagenaCartagena Colombia1450NaN0392018
61Sede do BankBostonSão Paulo1450NaN0352002
62Building of the Comptroller General of ColombiaBogotá Colombia1450NaN0321974
63Galicia Central TowerBuenos Aires1450NaN0332007
64Le Parc Puerto MaderoBuenos Aires1450NaN0 372007
65Iluminata TowerBarranquilla1450NaN0362016
66Torre Telefónica ChileSantiago Chile1430NaN0331996[17]
67Banco do Brasil BuildingSão Paulo1430NaN0241955
68105 Lélio Gama St.Rio de Janeiro1430NaN0401980
69Solara TowersBarranquilla1420NaN0362015
70Alas BuildingBuenos Aires1410NaN0411957
71Eldorado Business TowerSão Paulo1410NaN0362007
72Torre Banco de la NaciónLima1400NaN0[18] 302015tallest building in Peru.
73Yacht TowersBuenos Aires1400NaN0442010
74Torres MauiRosario1400NaN0442014
75World Trade Center Montevideo (Tower 4)Montevideo Uruguay1400NaN0402013
76Torre AllianzBogotá Colombia1400NaN0361996
77Edificio HorizontesCartagena Colombia1400NaN0372007
78Fonade TowerBogotá Colombia1400NaN0371974
79Edificio de la ContraloríaBogotá Colombia1400NaN0361974
80BankBoston TowerBuenos Aires1400NaN0332001
81Libertador 4444Buenos Aires1400NaN0461995
82Evolution CorporateSão Paulo1400NaN0352014
83Plaza CentenárioSão Paulo1390NaN0321995
84Mirante João Olímpio FilhoNatal1380NaN0432009
85Edificio Banco ContinentalLima1370NaN0201978
86Mandarim BuildingSão Paulo1370NaN0422006
87Bellini Esmeralda Plaza San MartínBuenos Aires1370NaN0452015
88The Point TowerGuayaquil Ecuador1360NaN0362013tallest building in Ecuador.
89Icono TowerAsuncion1360NaN0372011tallest building in Paraguay.
90Torre Renoir IBuenos Aires1360NaN0412008[19] [20]
91Dolfines GuaraníRosario1360NaN0452009
92Mundo PlazaSalvador1350NaN0412010
93Edificio La PrevisoraGuayaquil1350NaN0351991
94MetrópolisBalneário Camboriú1340NaN0402010
95Edificio CorficolombianaCali Colombia1330NaN0321974
96Barão de Iguape BuildingSão Paulo1330NaN0371959
97Château Libertador ResidenceBuenos Aires1330NaN0402008
98Madero Office TowerBuenos Aires1310NaN0272011
99City UBogotá1310NaN0322016
100Píer Maurício de NassauRecife1310NaN0422009
100Hotel Marriott SantiagoSantiago Chile1300NaN0421999[21]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: A Visit to Gran Torre Santiago: South America's Tallest Building. Worldwide Walkers. June 16, 2020. October 2, 2022. October 3, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221003203917/https://wowiwalkers.com/a-visit-to-gran-torre-santiago-south-americas-tallest-building/. live.
  2. Web site: https://g1.globo.com/sc/santa-catarina/noticia/2024/06/18/predio-neymar-sc-ganha-mais-13-metros-mais-alto-pais-lista.ghtml . 'Prédio do Neymar' em SC ganha mais 13 metros com pináculos e volta a ser o mais alto do país, aponta lista . G1. 18 June 2024 . 18 June 2024.
  3. Web site: Emporis GmbH . One Tower, Balneário Camboriú, Brasil . https://web.archive.org/web/20170302113039/https://www.emporis.com/buildings/1234391/one-tower-balneario-camboriu-brazil . dead . March 2, 2017 . Emporis.com.
  4. Web site: Marcuzzi. Josefina. Puerto Madero: crece la torre más alta de la ciudad. La Nacion. es. August 17, 2015. January 13, 2023. April 20, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210420194125/https://www.lanacion.com.ar/buenos-aires/puerto-madero-crece-la-torre-mas-alta-de-la-ciudad-nid1819798/. live.
  5. Web site: Edificio BD Bacatá es oficialmente el más alto de Colombia y será entregado en agosto. El Espectador. es. 2 June 2015. 29 January 2023. 29 January 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230129231147/https://www.elespectador.com/bogota/edificio-bd-bacata-es-oficialmente-el-mas-alto-de-colombia-y-sera-entregado-en-agosto-article-564174/. live.
  6. Web site: Ficha Técninca . Titanium La Portada . es . 2008 . March 27, 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110923044620/http://www.titaniumlaportada.cl/en/proyecto_ficha_tecnica.html . September 23, 2011 .
  7. Web site: Conheça o novo prédio mais alto do Brasil. 2017-11-02. 2 November 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171102194444/http://forbes.uol.com.br/colunas/2017/11/conheca-o-novo-predio-mais-alto-do-brasil/. dead.
  8. Web site: Emporis GmbH . Centro Financiero Confinanzas, Caracas, Venezuela . https://web.archive.org/web/20070211021432/http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=centrofinancieroconfinanzas-caracas-venezuela . dead . February 11, 2007 . Emporis.com.
  9. Web site: Emporis GmbH . Banco Mercantil, Caracas, Venezuela . https://web.archive.org/web/20070210181545/http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=bancomercantil-caracas-venezuela . dead . February 10, 2007 . Emporis.com . 2010-07-29.
  10. Web site: Emporis GmbH . Millennium Palace, Balneário Camboriú, Brasil . https://web.archive.org/web/20140906222808/http://www.emporis.com/building/millennium-palace-balneario-camboriu-brazil2 . dead . September 6, 2014 . Emporis.com . 2014-09-06.
  11. Web site: Torre Cavia. The Skyscraper Center. Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat. January 13, 2023. January 13, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230113212936/https://www.skyscrapercenter.com/building/torre-cavia/2613. live.
  12. Web site: ¿Cómo es el Green Tower, el edificio más alto de Bolivia?. How is the Green Tower like, the tallest building in Bolivia?. ANF. es. 25 March 2022. 25 January 2023. 27 March 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220327124358/https://www.noticiasfides.com/nacional/sociedad/como-es-el-green-tower-el-edificio-mas-alto-de-bolivia-414473. live.
  13. Web site: YPF Tower. 2016-11-07. CTBUH. The Skyscraper Center. 2016-11-07. https://web.archive.org/web/20161107160216/http://legacy.skyscrapercenter.com/CTBUH_Building_Factsheet.php?id=3358. live.
  14. Web site: Emporis GmbH . Centro Financiero Provincial, Caracas, Venezuela . https://web.archive.org/web/20070209033913/http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=centrofinancieroprovincial-caracas-venezuela . dead . February 9, 2007 . Emporis.com . 2010-07-29.
  15. Web site: Torre Antel. Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat. The Skyscraper Center. October 5, 2022. October 6, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221006010900/https://www.skyscrapercenter.com/building/building/3516. live.
  16. Web site: Tapia. Guadalupe. En el edificio más alto del país el m2 vale entre $us 700 y $us 1.000. La Razón. es. 25 June 2012. 25 January 2023. 25 December 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221225125816/https://www.la-razon.com/sociedad/2012/06/25/en-el-edificio-mas-alto-del-pais-el-m2-vale-entre-us-700-y-us-1-000/. live.
  17. Web site: Torre Telefónica Chile. Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat. The Skyscraper Center. October 2, 2022. October 4, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221004190443/https://www.skyscrapercenter.com/building/torre-telefonica-chile/4237. live.
  18. Web site: El edificio más alto del Perú. CosapiOficial. 5 October 2015. YouTube. 15 June 2017. 19 February 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200219231038/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYAZ8YPBQXk&gl=US&hl=en. live.
  19. Web site: Renoir I. 2016-11-07. CTBUH. The Skyscraper Center. 2016-11-08. https://web.archive.org/web/20161108052606/http://legacy.skyscrapercenter.com/CTBUH_Building_Factsheet.php?id=4445. live.
  20. Web site: Renoir I. 2016-11-07. Skyscraperpage. 2016-11-08. https://web.archive.org/web/20161108052904/http://skyscraperpage.com/cities/?buildingID=34683. live.
  21. Web site: Boulevard Kennedy & Santiago Marriott. Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat. The Skyscraper Center. October 2, 2022. October 4, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221004190509/https://www.skyscrapercenter.com/building/boulevard-kennedy-santiago-marriott/4577. live.