Since the first skyscraper was built in Chicago in 1885, cities across the U.S. (and the world) have developed a penchant-turned-obsession for tall buildings. Not only do these sky-high towers save valuable acreage in crowded urban areas, but they also showcase the latest in modern engineering and architecture — plus, they provide an added bonus of incredible panoramic vistas. Here’s where you can find every state’s tallest building, ranging from a modest 11 floors to a staggering 108 stories.
Alabama: RSA Battle House Tower
Located in Mobile, the RSA Battle House Tower is the tallest building in Alabama at a height of 745 feet, including a 91-foot-tall fiberglass spire. Completed in 2007, the 41-story building survived five different hurricanes in the years it took construction to finish. In addition to housing offices for RSA (Retirement Systems of Alabama), the building connects to the Battle House Hotel and Spa, the upscale historic hotel for which the tower is named.
Alaska: Conoco-Phillips Building
Located in the most populous city in Alaska, the Conoco-Phillips Building stands high above the rest of the buildings in Anchorage — and the rest of the state. Measuring 296 feet tall, the building contains 22 floors and was completed in 1983 to hold offices for ConocoPhillips, the largest producer of crude oil in the state. The building also has a small food court open to the public, in addition to an atrium and water fountain.
Arizona: Chase Tower
The tallest building in Arizona is located in the state capital of Phoenix. Soaring 483 feet and 40 stories high, the Chase Tower was originally known by its address: 201 N. Central Avenue. In the early 1990s, the office tower was renamed Bank One Plaza, but after JPMorgan Chase acquired Bank One in 2004, the building became Chase Tower. As of 2022, the tower is vacant, as Chase employees have migrated to the company’s campus in Tempe, and the future of the skyscraper remains unclear.
Arkansas: Simmons Tower
Little Rock is not only Arkansas’ capital and most populous city, but it also houses the tallest building in the state. The Simmons Tower stands 546 feet tall and contains 40 floors, which have primarily housed offices since the building was completed in 1986. Originally called the Capitol Tower, the skyscraper has had several other names over the years, including TCBY Tower and Metropolitan National Bank Tower. Situated in Little Rock’s central business district, the building is conveniently located near major interstates and also features a fitness center, conference facilities, and a 55-foot high atrium.
California: Wilshire Grand Center
The Wilshire Grand Center in downtown Los Angeles took the title from San Francisco’s Salesforce Tower for the state’s tallest building when it was completed in 2017. The soaring 1,102-foot tower features 73 floors. In addition to housing the luxury InterContinental Hotel (and its rooftop pool), the building contains 17 floors of offices, several notable restaurants, and a pristine courtyard. The hotel’s lobby occupies the building’s 70th-floor and features local art pieces and incredible views of the city.
Colorado: Republic Plaza
Built in 1984 and recently renovated, Denver’s Republic Plaza is the state’s tallest building, measuring 714 feet. The building’s grid-like facade climbs 56 stories and is made of Sardinian granite. Most of the interior is dedicated to offices, but the skyscraper also features retail space and a below-ground recreational and co-working space for building tenants that contains ping pong tables, lounge seating, televisions, and an 8,000 square-foot fitness center.
Connecticut: City Place 1
Also known as the United Healthcare Center, Hartford’s City Place 1 is the tallest building in Connecticut. Edging out the historic Travelers Tower (constructed in 1919) by just eight feet, the high-rise measures 535 feet in height and was built in 1980. Eighteen of the building’s 38 floors are dedicated to United Healthcare office space, with other floors housing a fitness and wellness center, retail establishments, and restaurants.
Delaware: 1201 North Market Street
Located in Delaware’s largest city of Wilmington, the 1201 North Market Street tower reaches 360 feet tall and has 23 stories mainly occupied by offices. The building opened in 1988 and was formerly known as the Chase Manhattan Centre. The skyscraper is located in Wilmington’s business district and features views that stretch as far as Philadelphia (30 miles to the northeast) on a clear day.
Florida: Panorama Tower
Nine of Florida’s 10 tallest buildings are located in Miami, and the tallest, the aptly named Panorama Tower, overlooks Biscayne Bay. Rising 868 feet and 85 stories tall, the mixed-use tower became the tallest building in the state when it was completed in 2018. It is also the tallest residential building south of New York City. Located in the vibrant Brickell District, the building features amenities such as a sundeck and pool, social and cocktail lounges, coffee bars, private theaters, and pet grooming services. However, the Panorama Tower may not hold its title for long — a 100-story building for the Waldorf Astoria Residences is currently under construction.
Georgia: Bank of America Plaza
Towering 1,023 feet above Atlanta, the Bank of America Plaza has been a fixture of the Georgia capital’s skyline since it was completed in 1992. The skyscraper, which contains 1.35 million square feet of office and retail space across 55 floors, was recently acquired by the CP Group. Its new owners are planning for a renovation of the building’s lobby and a new upscale restaurant.
Hawaii: First Hawaiian Center
At 30 stories and 429 feet tall, Honolulu’s First Hawaiian Center is the state’s tallest building. The high-rise, designed by architectural firm Kohn Pedersen Fox for the state’s largest bank, was completed in 1996. The building’s striking exterior features a mix of beige limestone and blue glass. Its first floor is open to the public and features several galleries curated by the Honolulu Museum of Art.
Idaho: Eighth and Main Building
The 18-story Eighth and Main Building in Boise houses the headquarters of Zions Bank. Completed in 2014, it rises above the rest of the buildings in the state with a height of 315 feet. Built with sustainability in mind, the mixed-use building is LEED-certified and constructed with recyclable and recycled materials. The first two floors of Eighth and Main are home to restaurants such as Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse and Flatbread Pizza Company.
Illinois: Willis Tower
Formerly known as the Sears Tower, the Willis Tower was once the tallest building in the world, though it now ranks 25th in the world. (The tallest is the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.) Still, the Willis Tower continues to soar over the Chicago skyline at 1,450 feet tall (1,729 feet to the tip of its antenna). Completed in 1974, the skyscraper contains 108 floors, and the 103rd floor features the popular Skydeck. On a clear day, visitors can see up to four states — Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin — and they can also venture onto the Ledge, a glass-bottomed area where you they can see 1,353 feet straight down to the city streets below.
Indiana: Salesforce Tower
At 701 feet tall (811 feet to the tip of its twin spires), Salesforce Tower rises high above Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis. The 49-story building is not only the tallest building in the state, but also the highest in the Midwest, outside of Chicago and Cleveland. The office tower provides many amenities for its office tenants, including valet parking, a hair and nail salon, a lounge space, and direct access to the Columbia Club, a private club on the National Register of Historic Places.
Iowa: 801 Grand
It’s easy to pick out 801 Grand on the Des Moines Skyline — the 630-foot, 44-story tower looms over every other building in Iowa’s capital city. The office building was completed in 1991 and is covered with 200,000 square feet of stone that was mined in Brazil and polished in Italy. Due to its unique shape with multiple architectural step-backs, the building also contains more corner offices than a standard high-rise. Visitors can access the building through Des Moines’ downtown skywalk system.
Kansas: Epic Center
Wichita’s Epic Center has held the crown as the tallest building in Kansas since it was completed in 1989. The 22-story building measures 385 feet tall and was designed by architect Sid Platt. He originally envisioned two matching towers that were connected by a shopping center, but his plan never came to fruition. Constructed of concrete and steel, the Epic Center features a distinctive slanted roof meant to resemble the shape of a kite.
Kentucky: 400 West Market
One of the most recognizable buildings on the Louisville skyline, 400 West Market is topped with an 80-foot-high Romanesque dome that illuminates at night. With 34 floors of mostly office space, the skyscraper was built in 1992 at the cost of $100 million. Since then, the 549-foot-high tower continues to reign supreme as the tallest building in the state. Filled with modern amenities, 400 West Market provides a sweeping view of Louisville and the Ohio River.
Louisiana: Hancock Whitney Center
Constructed in 1971 as New Orleans’ first skyscraper, the 697-foot Hancock Whitney Center still retains its title of the tallest building in the state. Centrally located in the city’s business district, the skyscraper was built with a mix of Italian travertine and bronze glass. With a redesigned lobby that features sleek granite floors, the Hancock Whitney Center has 18 elevators that whisk visitors up 51 floors, with building amenities that include restaurants, dry cleaners, and a hair salon.
Maine: Franklin Towers
While St. Joseph’s Church in Biddeford technically measures taller, that is mainly due to the church’s steeples. On a list narrowed to traditionally storied buildings, the tallest in Maine is currently Franklin Towers in the state’s largest city, Portland. The 175-foot, 16-floor residential building was completed in 1969, but after holding the crown for more than half a century, it will soon be eclipsed by a new project in Portland: a mixed-use retail and residential building at 201 Federal Street. Estimated to be finished in 2023, it will stand 18 stories tall.
Maryland: Transamerica Tower
Located in downtown Baltimore, this 40-story, 529-foot high-rise has undergone several iterations. After it was built in 1973, it belonged to the United States Fidelity and Guaranty Company. When it changed hands in 1997, the tower was known as the Legg Mason Building, named after the investment firm that had offices inside. In 2011, the building was renamed Transamerica Tower, but since it’s once again under new ownership, the future name of the building remains unclear.
Massachusetts: John Hancock Tower
Named for the first person to sign the Declaration of Independence, Boston’s John Hancock Tower was built in 1976. The 62-story building rises 790 feet high near Trinity Church in Boston’s Back Bay. Known to locals simply as the “Hancock,” the sleek tower is encased in glass, and from the interior of the building, visitors can look out over Back Bay, the Public Gardens, Boston Harbor, and across the Charles River into Cambridge.
Michigan: Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center
In addition to being the tallest building in Michigan, the 727-foot Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center is one of the tallest all-hotel buildings in the Western Hemisphere. Although the building has 70 floors in total, the hotel’s elevators climb to the 73rd floor, since the numbering system skips the seventh, eighth, and 13th floors. As part of the Renaissance Center complex, the cylindrical high-rise is surrounded by four sister office towers and is situated close to the Riverwalk and downtown Detroit.
Minnesota: IDS Center
Measuring 792 feet to its roof and 910 feet to its twin antenna spires, the IDS Center has been the tallest building in Minnesota since construction finished in 1973. The tower is connected to the Minneapolis Skyway System, which means people can access it without having to walk outside during the cold Minnesota winters. The 55-floor tower is home to offices, a retail center, and an indoor urban park that rises eight stories tall. From higher floors, visitors are treated to panoramic views of the Twin Cities and the Mississippi River.
Mississippi: Beau Rivage Casino Hotel
With a name that translates to “beautiful shoreline,” the Beau Rivage Casino Hotel is a waterfront hotel and casino on Biloxi’s Gulf Coast. The tallest building in Mississippi features 1,740 rooms over 32 stories and measures 346 feet in height. While the building appears to be anchored on land, it is actually floating on barges to comply with state gambling laws. The unique design of the Beau Rivage Casino Hotel was put to the test after Hurricane Katrina wreaked havoc on the Gulf Coast in 2006. Fortunately, the building survived the storm, and after repairs, the hotel was able to resume business a year later.
Missouri: One Kansas City Place
Although it took three years to build One Kansas City Place, the 42-story building immediately became one of the most recognizable Kansas City landmarks upon its completion in 1988. Rising to a height of 624 feet (654 feet to its antenna), the building was designed as an updated version of Kansas City City Hall, a historic art deco building that was constructed in 1937. While the similarities between the two towers are noticeable, One Kansas City Place continues to be the tallest in the state and is especially distinctive at night, when it’s illuminated in various colors.
Montana: First Interstate Center
The First Interstate Center in Billings has been the tallest building in Montana for over 35 years. Constructed in 1985, the commercial office building rises 255 feet high and has 20 floors. Despite looming over the state’s other human-made structures, the office tower has nothing on the nearby Rocky Mountains — the highest, Granite Peak, stands 12,552 feet taller than the First Interstate Center. Still, the building’s exterior blue glass was thoughtfully added to the design as a nod toward Montana’s famous big sky.
Nebraska: First National Bank Tower
Omaha’s First National Bank Tower has been the tallest building in Nebraska since it was completed in 2002. In order to make space for the skyscraper, the city’s 17-story Medical Arts Building, completed in 1926, was demolished, although a small portion of the old building’s facade was preserved to showcase inside the newer building’s lobby. Today, the 634-foot-high, 45-story building features an imposing granite exterior and a lobby with a four-story winter garden.
Nevada: The Palazzo
Not counting the Strat, a 1,149-foot observation tower that isn’t occupied, the Palazzo at the Venetian Resort is Las Vegas’ — and Nevada’s — tallest building. Measuring 643 feet in height, the luxury hotel has 53 floors that contain a casino, nightclub, shopping center, theater, and restaurants. The building’s third floor is home to the Palazzo’s pool deck, featuring an outdoor pool surrounded by palm trees and private cabanas available to rent. The hotel also has a 134,000-square-foot spa operated by the luxury brand Canyon Ranch.
New Hampshire: City Hall Plaza
Situated in Manchester’s business center, City Hall Plaza is the tallest building in the state and one of the tallest in northern New England. The 20-story building has been a landmark in downtown Manchester since it was completed in 1992. Reaching a height of 275 feet, the tower features a distinctive four-gabled roof and a brick-and-limestone exterior. In addition to commercial offices, City Hall Plaza houses office space for the Manchester city government.
New Jersey: 99 Hudson Street
Completed in 2020, 99 Hudson Street is a 79-story residential building in Jersey City, overlooking the Hudson River and the Manhattan skyline. Measuring 900 feet tall, the skyscraper is home to 781 high-end residences priced from about $775,000 for a studio to upwards of $4 million for a penthouse suite with million-dollar views to match.
New Mexico: Albuquerque Plaza
Also known as the WaFd Bank Building, Albuquerque Plaza is the tallest high-rise in New Mexico. Located in downtown Albuquerque, the plaza is part of a two-tower complex that adjoins the Hyatt Regency Albuquerque. The 351-foot building contains 22 stories and is about 100 feet taller than its neighboring tower. However, the two buildings share the same color and pyramid-shaped roofline and are both prominent fixtures on the Albuquerque skyline.
New York: One World Trade Center
One World Trade Center is not only the tallest skyscraper in New York, but also the tallest building in the country. As a nod to the year the U.S. gained independence, the building soars to a height of 1,776 feet. The 94-story tower was built as an enduring symbol of hope in the face of tragedy, as it replaced the Twin Towers, which were destroyed by terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. For a stunning bird’s-eye view of Manhattan, visit the building’s enclosed observation deck, One World Observatory, at a height of 1,250 feet.
North Carolina: Bank of America Corporate Center
Charlotte’s Bank of America Corporate Center has been the tallest tower in the state since it opened in 1992. Measuring 871 feet tall, the 60-story building is also known as the “Tower of Power” and the “Taj McColl,” after bank chairman Hugh McColl, who shepherded the building’s construction. Designed by Argentine-born architect Cesar Pelli, the tower houses the world headquarters of Bank of America, with a top floor that is reserved for the corporation’s executives.
North Dakota: North Dakota State Capitol
Completed in 1934, Bismarck’s North Dakota State Capitol climbs 19 stories to a height of 242 feet. The art deco tower is also the subject of a myth that claims all buildings in Bismarck must legally be shorter than the State Capitol. A local historian debunked the myth, clarifying that there is no formal law that prevents buildings from exceeding 242 feet. However, there is a Bismarck law that requires a special permit for any building that has a height over 130 feet, which may explain the city’s lack of tall buildings.
Ohio: Key Tower
Another structure designed by architect Cesar Pelli, Cleveland’s Key Tower is one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks, ascending to a height of 947 feet. Famous for the red keys affixed to the top of the four-sided building, the tower is named for KeyBank, although it was formerly known as the Society Center. Twenty-eight of Key Tower’s 57 stories house the Cleveland Marriott Downtown, while other amenities include a sushi restaurant and an upscale Italian eatery.
Oklahoma: Devon Energy Center
Despite containing two fewer stories than Tulsa’s BOK Tower, Oklahoma City’s Devon Energy Center takes the title for the state’s tallest building. Measuring 844 feet, the tower opened in 2012 as the headquarters of Devon Energy. The 50-story building features a six-story rotunda entrance that complements its modern exterior. The tower’s 49th-floor is also home to Vast, an upscale restaurant that features 360-degree views of Oklahoma City.
Oregon: Wells Fargo Center
Since construction was completed in 1973, the Wells Fargo Center has been a dominant fixture in Portland’s skyline. The 546-foot, 40-story building is located in Portland’s downtown, near restaurants, concert halls, and parks. Featuring a recently renovated lobby, the high-rise building reflects the city’s culture, offering a top-notch coffee bar and ample bicycle parking. From its upper floors, Wells Fargo Center offers unparalleled views of nearby Mount Hood, Mount St. Helen’s, and the Willamette River.
Pennsylvania: Comcast Center
Completed in 2018, Philadelphia’s 1,121-foot Comcast Center is the country’s tallest skyscraper outside of Chicago and New York City. The 58-story modern high-rise features a 70-foot-tall lobby with scrolling digital art and natural elements such as live trees and vertical gardens. In addition to a 550-seat theater, the skyscraper is home to offices for Comcast-owned companies, such as NBC10 Philadelphia, and a Four Seasons hotel. The top of the building features a 210-foot mast that makes Comcast Center nearly impossible to miss on the Philly skyline.
Rhode Island: Industrial National Bank Building
Nicknamed the “Superman Building” due to its resemblance to the Daily Planet headquarters from the comics, the Industrial National Bank Building is one of Providence’s most well-known landmarks. It’s also the tallest building in Rhode Island, with 26 floors ascending 428 feet. Built in 1927, the art deco building was commissioned by the Industrial Trust Company and was subsequently the headquarters for Fleet Financial. Sadly, the historic tower has been vacant since 2013, despite recent talks of turning it into an apartment building. And it may not hold its title for much longer — a 550-foot residential skyscraper is planned to join the Providence skyline in the next few years, though builders have not broken ground yet.
South Carolina: Capitol Center
Constructed in the late 1980s in Columbia, Capitol Center has been the tallest building in South Carolina for over three decades. Standing 25 stories and 349 feet high, the structure was originally built as an office tower for AT&T. Since then, the building has changed hands several times, reflected in its various previous names: Affinity Tower, South Trust, and Wachovia Tower. Today, the building’s top floor features the Capital City Club, an exclusive social organization that started in 1883.
South Dakota: CenturyLink Tower
When the CenturyLink Tower was built in 1962, it wasn’t the tallest building in the state, or even in Sioux Falls. That distinction went to the Zip Feed Mill, a 202-foot-tall grain elevator. However, after the Zip Feed Mill was demolished in 2005, CenturyLink Tower earned its new title as South Dakota’s tallest building, with a height of 174 feet. The 11-story building has undergone several renovations over the years, including the replacement of the tower’s original facade due to cracks and asbestos in the exterior panels.
Tennessee: AT&T Building
It’s easy to see why Nashville’s AT&T Building is nicknamed the “Batman Building” — the 33-story tower’s twin antennae clearly resemble the superhero’s trademark costume. The building's unique design was very much intentional; its builders wanted it to stand out on the Nashville skyline. Since opening in 1999, the 617-foot tower has remained eye-catching both inside and out, with a three-story-high winter garden located in its atrium.
Texas: JPMorganChase Tower
When it was built in 1982, the 1,002-foot JPMorgan Chase Tower in Houston ended up being shorter than the building’s original design. The building’s architects, I. M. Pei & Partners, had envisioned five extra floors, totaling 80 stories. However, the Federal Aviation Administration nixed these plans, and the building ended up having 75 floors instead. One of the building’s unique features upon opening was an emergency helicopter pad on the rooftop, but since it was never used, it currently houses the tower’s antennae instead. The building also features a 60th-floor observation deck with panoramic Houston skyline views.
Utah: Wells Fargo Center
Although the Wells Fargo Center’s 422-foot height is no match for some of the skyscrapers on this list, the building’s top floor sits at an elevation of 4,691 feet above sea level, thanks to Salt Lake City’s high altitude. The 26-story building is the tallest in Utah, a title it has held since construction was completed in 1998. The tower’s eastern facade was designed to allow for more corner offices with sweeping views of the region’s Wasatch Range, while the flat-top roof contains a helipad, which is sometimes used for military training purposes.
Vermont: Decker Towers
As the shortest building on this list, Burlington’s Decker Towers reaches a height of just 124 feet. A local construction firm built the 11-story building in 1971, but the city of Burlington later purchased it. Today, the Burlington Housing Authority operates the building, which primarily houses elderly and disabled residents. Decker Towers is located on St. Paul Street, a few blocks from the shores of Lake Champlain.
Virginia: The Westin Virginia Beach Town Center & Residences
When it was completed in 2007, the Westin Virginia Beach Town Center & Residences became the tallest building in the state, taking the title from Richmond’s James Monroe Building by a difference of 59 feet. The mixed-use, 38-story building measures 413 feet to its roof and 508 feet to the tip of its antenna. It features a Westin hotel in addition to residential units. Located in the center of Virginia Beach’s downtown area, the building provides easy access to city sites and is within walking distance of Apex Entertainment.
Washington: Columbia Center
Although the Space Needle defines the Seattle skyline, it isn’t the city’s tallest building. That honor goes to the Columbia Center, which reaches an impressive 967 feet to its tip. The 76-story tower was completed in 1984, but was recently renovated, with the added distinction of having one of the best bathrooms in the city. (The 76th-floor women’s restroom provides phenomenal views of the Cascade Mountain range.) More incredible vistas are served alongside cocktails at the 73rd floor’s Sky View Observatory.
West Virginia: West Virginia State Capitol
Located on the banks of the Kanawha River in Charleston, the West Virginia State Capitol is the tallest building in the state, reaching 292 feet. Constructed in 1932, it is also the fourth-tallest domed capitol building in the country. The four-story, Classical Revival building features a limestone exterior and marble and travertine floors imported from Italy and Vermont. The impressive building took eight years to complete and was constructed after a fire destroyed the state Capitol in 1921.
Wisconsin: U.S. Bank Center
Climbing 601 feet, the U.S. Bank Center in Milwaukee was completed in 1973. It surpassed the Milwaukee City Hall by 200 feet, making the 42-story building the tallest building in Wisconsin for the past five decades. Originally built as the headquarters for the First Wisconsin National Bank, the building was acquired by U.S. Bank in 2002. In addition to its 5,000 windows that allow unobstructed views of Lake Michigan, the building also has a light-filled lobby that features laurel fig trees.
Wyoming: White Hall at the University of Wyoming
The tallest building in Wyoming happens to be a dormitory called White Hall on the University of Wyoming campus in Laramie. The building features 12 floors and climbs to 146 feet in height. Named for Dr. Laura A. White, who was on the university faculty for 35 years, the building was completed in 1967. Today, it houses nearly 600 residents with single and double occupancy rooms, a lounge area, and a study room.
