2012 marked the first year of the past six where the number of tall buildings completed has declined, according to the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH).

The Council reported that the fall is the flow on effect of the 2008/2009 global financial crisis as projects were delayed with completion of tall developments to spike again in 2013 and 2014.

Australia completed three buildings over 200 metres which were the first buildings to be built over 200 metres since 2007.

The reports said:

"Tall building development in Australia has always been sporadic, with an increase in development often followed by constructions droughts."

2005 was a big year for Australian tall building construction with the Q1 building on the Gold Coast reaching 323 metres and continuing to hold the record of Australia's tallest building. From 2007 to 2011 there were no towers over 200 meters completed, however the coming year wills see new developments taking place, particularaly in Melbourne.

The three 200m plus buildings completed in 2012 mark the second highest completion total in Australia’s history, tying the output in 1992.

2012 saw the Makkah Royal Clock Tower Hotel completed in Saudi Arabia which stands at 601 metres and makes it the second tallest building in the world.
Four of the six tallest buildings completed in 2012 were in Dubai, including the world’s tallest hotel, the 355-meter JW Marriott Marquis.
Fast-growing China finished 22 buildings taller than 200 meters in 2012, 33 percent of the global number.
Mecca was the city with the most 200 meter completions in the world, with five.
The United States completed only two buildings over 200 meter, including the 257-meter Devon Tower in Oklahoma City.
Canada added four buildings taller than 200 meters, the most Canada has ever completed in a single year.
Twelve of the 66 buildings completed in 2012 broke onto the list of the Top 100 tallest buildings in the world, representing a 12 percent change in the tallest 100 in a single year.

The study concluded that although 2012 was a slower year than normal for tall building construction this is expected to be rectified with 437 buildings taller than 200 meters under construction globally.

Madeline Prince

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