Current Tallest Residential Tower and Record Holder
The tallest house in the world is currently defined by the tallest completed residential tower, which is the Central Park Tower in New York City. The building reaches a structural height of 472 meters (1,550 feet) and is recognized by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat as the tallest residential building in the world by highest occupied floor.
Central Park Tower is part of the Billionaires' Row corridor along West 57th Street and was developed by Extell Development Company and Shanghai SIPG. The project was designed by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture and topped out in 2019, with residents moving in during 2020, making it the leading entry in the tallest house category based on official height rankings.
Key Height Figures, Features, and Ranking Context
The tower's roof height is 472 meters, while its architectural top reaches 472 meters, with 98 usable stories dedicated primarily to luxury residential units and a separate hotel component managed by Marriott International's EDITION brand. The building contains 179 residential units, with the highest penthouse sold for more than $250 million, setting a record for the most expensive residential sale in New York City.
In global height rankings, Central Park Tower surpasses other supertall residential towers such as 111 West 57th Street, also in New York, and Marina 101 in Dubai. The tower's slender profile and mixed-use program, combining ultra-luxury residences with a hotel, distinguish it from purely residential skyscrapers and reinforce its position at the top of the tallest house classification.
Developer, Design, and Construction Timeline
Extell Development and Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture
Extell Development Company, led by founder Gary Barnett, spearheaded the project, with Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture providing the structural and architectural design. The engineering firm WSP Global handled structural engineering, while the tower's foundation relies on a deep pile system anchored into Manhattan bedrock to support the extreme height and load demands.
Construction Milestones and Completion
Excavation began in 2014, with the superstructure rising rapidly through 2018 and 2019. The building achieved its full height in 2019, received its certificate of occupancy in 2020, and opened its residential floors shortly thereafter. The project was financed through a combination of equity and debt, with significant pre-sales of units helping to secure funding during the construction phase.