The world’s population is increasing at a rapid and somewhat astonishing rate. From 1 billion 1800 to 7.7 billion today. This exponential increase in the population has resulted in a multitude of equally rapid changes, one of them being “Urbanization”. Put simply, the number of people living in cities has been increasing steadily over the past few decades. An increased number of people means an increased number of houses. So we can either spread out horizontally (which, let’s face it, is impossible) or we can shoot up vertically. This is the reason skyscrapers have gained immense popularity in recent years. The skyscraper isn’t a recent phenomenon. The world’s first skyscraper was built almost 150 years ago. However, the concept has certainly become an “Urban Need” only in the past 50 years. Phoenix is one of the most populous cities in the United States, with a population of over 1.6 million people (as of 2018). The city has no dearth of tall buildings! Let’s have a look at the 15 tallest buildings in Phoenix, Arizona.
1. The Chase Tower
With over 40 floors, the Chase Tower has been the tallest building in Phoenix since 1972. Designed by Los Angeles based architectural firm Welton Becket and associates, the tower has a striking concrete and glass façade and is currently used as an office space.
2. S. Bank Center
Constructed in 1976, this building has a total of 31 floors. Thomas F. Marshall Associates was the principal architecture firm for the project. This was the first high rise to be built with an automatic fire sprinkler system, making it unique.
3. Centurylink Tower
With a total of 25 floors, this is the 3rd tallest building in Phoenix. The structure can be identified by its distinctive pyramid-shaped turquoise-color crown.
4. Alliance Bank Tower/ Cityscape Tower 1
As the name suggests, this building is used as an office space. The construction of the structure was completed in 2010. It is identifiable due to its attractive glass façade and modernist architectural style.
5. 44 Monroe
44 Monroe is the tallest residential structure not just in Phoenix, but in the whole of Arizona with a total of 34 floors. The building’s exterior, as well as interior design, were inspired by the ‘Five Elements’ painting by artist Jennifer Jones.
6. Viad Tower
Also known as the BMO Tower, this structure has a total of 24 floors. It is one of the most conspicuous skyscrapers in Phoenix due to its prime location. This modernist building was designed by HKS, Inc. in the year 1991.
7. Two Renaissance Square
This high-rise complex includes 2 buildings which are connected by a skyway. Both buildings have different heights due to their different years of construction, but identical architectural styles.
8. Phoenix City Hall
The construction for this building was completed almost 25 years ago, in 1994. Standing tall on 20 floors the building is located in Downtown Phoenix. The principal architectural firm for this project was Langdon Wilson.
9. Bank of America Tower
This tower acts as the state headquarters for Bank of America. It was designed by Opus Architects and Engineers. Construction was completed in the year 2000, making this structure 20 years old. The tower has 24 floors in total. Its façade is often used to promote upcoming sports events and to display advertisements.
10. Sheraton Grand Phoenix
The Sheraton Phoenix Downtown is a luxury high-rise hotel in Phoenix. It is the tallest hotel tower in Arizona with a total of 31 floors. The building has a curved roof profile, which has become its iconic feature. This roofline is inspired by the slope of Camelback Mountain, a distinctive landmark of the Phoenix Metropolitan Area.
11. Wells Fargo Plaza and 3300 North Central Avenue
With a total of 27 floors, the title of the 11th tallest building in Phoenix is shared by two structures.
- The Wells Fargo Plaza was designed by Charles Luckman and associates in the early 1970s. The architectural style adopted is ‘Brutalism’, with its exposed concrete façade and a box-like shape.
- 3300 North Central Avenue was built in 1980. It was designed by the renowned architectural firm Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill. The building is shaped like an octagon, with a 45-degree cut into all four corners.
12. The Link
The Link is the 12th tallest building in Phoenix with a total of 30 floors. The building is one of the tallest residential structures in Phoenix currently. It is also the most recently completed project on this list.
13. One Renaissance Square
One half of the ‘Two Renaissance Square’ which is 7th on our list. This particular building consists of 26 floors, while its counterpart stands tall on 28 floors.
14. Freeport-McMoRan Center and Phoenix Corporate Center
The Freeport McMoRan Center building was designed by the SmithGroup and is located in Downtown Phoenix. The structure houses numerous office spaces, as well as the luxury Westin Hotel.The Phoenix Corporate Center is 26 floors tall and is a purely commercial building. It was designed by Irvin Finical and Associates.
15. Phoenix Plaza (I & II)
Jointly sharing the 15th tallest building title in our list are Phoenix Plaza 1 and Phoenix Plaza II. Both of these towers have a total of 20 floors and share the same buffed and glossy appearance, all thanks to their double-pane bronze reflective glass exterior facades.
