The Tallest Buildings in New York City (2025 Update)
What’s the Tallest Building in NYC Right Now?
The tallest building in New York City is One World Trade Center, standing 1,776 feet (541 meters) tall. It’s followed by Central Park Tower (1,550 ft) — the tallest residential building in the world — and 111 West 57th Street, better known as Steinway Tower (1,428 ft).
The Top 10 Tallest Buildings in New York City (2025)
From downtown to Midtown, New York’s skyline is home to some of the most recognizable towers in the world. Here’s a closer look at the top 10 tallest buildings in NYC, updated for 2025. We share the heights, locations, and the stories behind each building.
1. One World Trade Center — 1,776 ft (541 m)
The tallest building in New York City since its completion in 2014, One World Trade Center stands as both a national symbol and an architectural landmark. The tower anchors Lower Manhattan’s World Trade Center complex and houses offices, broadcasting facilities, and the One World Observatory on its 100th–102nd floors.
Fun fact: The height — 1,776 feet — represents the year of American independence. You can see it from almost anywhere in the five boroughs.
2. Central Park Tower — 1,550 ft (472 m)
Also known as the Nordstrom Tower, Central Park Tower is the tallest residential building in the world. Located at 217 West 57th Street, it rises above “Billionaires’ Row” with sweeping views of the park and skyline. Its lowest apartments start more than 300 feet above ground, higher than the entire Flatiron Building.
3. 111 West 57th Street (Steinway Tower) — 1,428 ft (435 m)
A strikingly slender addition to Midtown Manhattan, Steinway Tower holds the title of the world’s skinniest skyscraper. The tower’s base includes the historic Steinway Hall, once home to the famous piano maker. Its tapered design makes it an engineering marvel and one of the most distinctive silhouettes on the skyline.
4. One Vanderbilt — 1,401 ft (427 m)
Rising next to Grand Central Terminal, One Vanderbilt blends office space with one of the city’s most popular observation decks: SUMMIT One Vanderbilt. Opened in 2020, it helped redefine Midtown East as a modern business hub. From the top, you can look directly across at the Empire State Building — a rare view from equal height.
5. 432 Park Avenue — 1,396 ft (425 m)
Once the tallest residential tower in the world, 432 Park Avenue remains one of the most recognizable skyscrapers in New York City. Its minimalist concrete grid façade divides opinion. Some love its simplicity, others say it looks unfinished. Either way, it transformed how developers approach designing ultra-tall living spaces.
6. 270 Park Avenue — 1,388 ft (423 m)
Completed in 2025, JPMorgan Chase’s new global headquarters joins the list of the tallest office buildings in NYC. Designed by Foster + Partners, the tower at 270 Park Avenue replaces the bank’s former headquarters on the same site. The building occupies an entire city block near Grand Central Terminal.
7. 30 Hudson Yards — 1,268 ft (387 m)
The centerpiece of the Hudson Yards development, 30 Hudson Yards is home to corporate offices, CNN studios, and Edge, the highest outdoor sky deck in the Western Hemisphere. It’s a defining feature of Manhattan’s west side and a symbol of how much the city’s skyline has expanded beyond Midtown.
8. Empire State Building — 1,250 ft (381 m)
For decades the tallest building in the world, the Empire State Building reached completion in 1931. It is an icon of pop culture, Art Deco design, and New York history. Its 86th- and 102nd-floor observatories still draw millions of visitors every year.
9. Bank of America Tower — 1,200 ft (366 m)
Completed in 2009 at One Bryant Park, this LEED Platinum-certified skyscraper was one of the first high-rises built with sustainability in mind. Bank of America Tower is known for its glass curtain wall, energy-efficient systems, and prime location overlooking Times Square.
10. 53 West 53 (MoMA Tower) — 1,050 ft (320 m)
Attached to the Museum of Modern Art, 53 West 53 adds a sculptural touch to Midtown’s skyline. Designed by Jean Nouvel, its angular form and bronze-toned glass façade make it one of the city’s most visually unique skyscrapers.
While these towers currently define the skyline, a new wave of supertalls is already rising — promising even more dramatic changes in the decade ahead.
The Next Wave for the NYC Skyline
Together, these projects signal a new phase in New York’s architectural evolution where efficiency, sustainability, and mixed use matter as much as record-breaking height. For anyone watching the skyline, it’s a reminder that the city will continue to change.
Tower Fifth (Proposed) — ~1,556 ft (474 m)
If approved and completed as designed, Tower Fifth would become the second-tallest building in New York City, surpassing Central Park Tower by a few feet.
Developed by Harry Macklowe and designed by Norman Foster, the proposed glass structure would rise beside St. Patrick’s Cathedral, offering both office space and observation decks. It’s still in the planning phase, but the renderings alone have reignited the city’s love-hate debate about height and heritage.
343 Madison Avenue (Proposed) — ~1,050 ft (320 m)
Another major Midtown proposal, 343 Madison Avenue, is expected to reach roughly 1,050 feet tall once complete. The tower, planned by Boston Properties, would sit next to Grand Central Terminal and complement the revitalized Vanderbilt corridor anchored by One Vanderbilt.
175 Park Avenue (Project Paused) — ~1,575 ft (480 m)
Also known as Project Commodore, this mixed-use supertall was once envisioned to rise behind the Grand Hyatt hotel site. At over 1,500 feet, it would have rivaled Central Park Tower for second place in height. As of 2025, plans remain paused, but the site still holds long-term development potential.
Observation Decks & Skyline Views
You can’t talk about the tallest buildings in New York City without mentioning the views. Observation decks have always been part of what makes these towers so iconic — they turn office buildings into destinations, and they remind everyone why the skyline matters in the first place.
Here are the most popular observation decks in NYC, ranked by elevation:
1. One World Observatory — One World Trade Center (1,250 ft)
The highest indoor observation deck in the Western Hemisphere, the One World Observatory offers a 360° view that stretches for more than 40 miles on a clear day. The elevator ride — which virtually rebuilds the Manhattan skyline as you rise — is reason enough to visit.
2. Edge — 30 Hudson Yards (1,131 ft)
Part glass triangle, part adrenaline test, Edge juts out from the 100th floor of 30 Hudson Yards with a glass floor and angled walls. It’s the city’s highest outdoor sky deck, and the open-air view gives you a rare west-facing look over the Hudson River.
3. SUMMIT One Vanderbilt — One Vanderbilt (1,210 ft)
SUMMIT One Vanderbilt blends art installation, mirror effects, and skyline viewing into one surreal experience. Visitors walk through mirrored glass rooms that reflect the city in every direction. It’s a futuristic take versus NYC’s historic skyscrapers.
4. Empire State Building — 86th & 102nd Floors (1,050 ft)
Still the most recognizable observation deck in the world, the Empire State Building offers two viewing levels and a dose of cinematic nostalgia. It’s also one of the few decks where you can step outside at multiple heights.
5. Top of the Rock — Rockefeller Center (850 ft)
Shorter than its Midtown neighbors but arguably one of the best skyline perspectives, Top of the Rock gives you a direct view of Central Park to the north and the Empire State Building to the south. If you only have time for one deck, this one perfectly frames the city’s old and new icons.
Tips for Experiencing NYC’s Skyline
Go around sunset for the best light (and dual day-night views).
Book ahead for One Vanderbilt and Hudson Yards, especially for weekend dates.
If you’re moving to NYC, remember: your building’s rooftop might end up being one of the best skyline spots of all.
How Movers Handle High-Rise Moves in NYC
Behind every sleek skyscraper photo is a side of the building most people never see — the loading dock, the service elevator, the management office that runs on schedules measured down to the minute. That’s the world movers live in.
At Cool Hand Movers, we’ve handled moves in some of the tallest residential and office towers in New York City and we know that every high-rise comes with its own playbook.
1. Certificates of Insurance (COIs)
Nearly every large building in NYC requires a Certificate of Insurance before a single box can enter or leave. It’s the building’s way of confirming that your movers are insured for property and liability coverage.
2. Elevator Scheduling
In a high-rise, elevator time is prime real estate. Most luxury buildings limit moves to specific windows between two and four hours long. They may require movers to reserve a freight elevator days in advance.
3. Communication Is Everything
Moving into a high-rise is a choreography between residents, building staff, and management. Clear communication is what keeps it smooth. From the first quote to the last elevator ride, we keep everyone on the same page.
FAQ: The Tallest Buildings in New York City (2025)
What is the tallest building in New York City?
As of 2025, the tallest building in New York City is One World Trade Center, standing 1,776 feet (541 meters) tall. Completed in 2014, it’s the centerpiece of Lower Manhattan’s World Trade Center complex and includes the One World Observatory on its upper floors.
What is the tallest residential building in NYC?
The tallest residential building in NYC — and the world — is Central Park Tower at 1,550 feet (472 meters). Located on 57th Street’s “Billionaires’ Row,” it features over 170 luxury condos, the Nordstrom flagship store at street level, and private amenities that sit higher than most rooftops in the city.
Which building has the highest observation deck in NYC?
The highest observation deck in New York City is the One World Observatory at One World Trade Center, with a viewing height of approximately 1,250 feet. It’s followed by Edge at Hudson Yards (1,131 ft), SUMMIT One Vanderbilt (1,210 ft), and the classic Empire State Building (1,050 ft).
What is the tallest building in Brooklyn?
As of 2025, the tallest building in Brooklyn is The Brooklyn Tower at 9 DeKalb Avenue in Downtown Brooklyn. Standing 1,066 feet (325 meters) tall, it’s the borough’s first supertall skyscraper and combines luxury residences with retail space in the restored Dime Savings Bank building at its base.
What is the tallest building in Queens?
The tallest building in Queens is Skyline Tower, located in Long Island City. Completed in 2021, it rises 762 feet (232 meters) and includes more than 800 condominiums. It’s currently the tallest building in New York City outside Manhattan — and a clear marker of how quickly LIC’s skyline is growing.
