Comparing Skylines

This should be a surprise to nobody who has ever read Gothamist before, but so you know, we've got a thing about skylines. Namely, we really, really, really like 'em. So again, it really shouldn't surprise anyone that we found ourselves digging Luigi Di Serio's list of the Top 15 skylines in the world (he also includes three semi-honorable mentions).

New York comes in fourth in Serio's opinion and we at least understand his logic. The Hong Kong and Chicago skylines (what ever you think about Chicago itself) really are spectacular. The Shanghai skyline on the other hand doesn't do too much for us, but we know what he's talking about when he ranks it third. Even though the list is surprisingly China-heavy and not so surprisingly Europe-light it's a fun read. So go and check it out and then tell us what you think of the rankings. How would you rank the world's skylines?

Hong Kong Skyline from diserio.com.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Garth Johnston in Arts and Events on March 26, 2006 1:43 PM

Comments [rss]

shawn

pittsburgh only 16th??!!?!?! this is an outrage

Bickle

Don't forget that our skyline includes the Statue of Liberty. New York has the best skyline. If not for the architecture, it's the best for personality. Many of those other cities look like they're trying too hard, while New York sits there, whethered, dirty and imperfect, but with balls of steel and a heart of gold.

Ryan

I know pretty much everyone acknowledges that Chicago's got a great skyline (and I have great admiration for it when viewed from the lake), but I've always preferred New York's. The skyline of Manhattan is impressive or at least interesting from just about any angle. In Chicago, the view falls apart pretty quickly.

kevin

i don't think it's fair that some (such as new york) are shot from the ground and some are shot from the sky. i think they should all be aerial at dusk!

then we would see why new york should be higher: chicago's lakeshore orientation leaves much to be desired (and the NYC shot is from New Jersey! It should be from a helicopter over downtown looking toward midtown)

your sister's gay boyfriend

As understandable as it is that people miss the Twin Towers (I still feel their void as an amputee might feel his missing limbs), they were pretty ugly in my opinion. The Freedom Towers, if I live long enough to see them, are going to be an improvement.

And the Chicago skyline is lovely. It's the John Hancock and Lake Michigan that do it for me.

Heh heh, I said "cock".

Matthew

Those all suck. Fuck skyscraper ridden skylines.

GOD

Why is it surprising to you that it is "China-heavy" and "European-light"?

The far east has been kicking the west's ass for a long time now in terms of monumental skyscrapers.

It is not surprising to see Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore, Seoul, Tokyo ect ont he list.

And I would have placed Tokyo a bit higher,not so much because of the buildings but the overwhelming neon lights surrouding them.

Cole

I think what makes the Chicago skyline deserve its higher ranking than New York is that even though there are fewer big buildings and they're more spread out, the buildings that are there are generally good-looking ones. In New York there's a lot of filler with nondescript, functional but ugly mid-sized towers, whereas in Chicago nearly every building above 10 stories is some major architectural landmark--and they really do come together very well.

Toby

Our skyline is currently broken, but George Elmer Pataki, the Port Authourity, LMDC, and greedy SOB Larry Silverstein just want to put up crap. Can't we get Trump in charge of the project so things can be put right? (Note: this is about the only thing I agree with Trump on.)

philthy

I don't think those photographs do any of the cities justice.

To me, skyscrapers aren't everything when it comes to a skyline. That said - it's all about the Pittsburgh skyline for me.

Hong Kong's is pretty breathtaking too.

Linda

Yeah, I agree. Hong Kong #1 and Chicago #2 in terms of esthetics, i.e. architecture and background scenery.

Sheliab

My top 5:

Hong Kong (beautiful placement/view!),

NYC (close second; density on a narrow island and recognition factor),

Shanghai (sheer audacity and volume),

Chicago (decent density and interesting configuration),

Sydney (recognition factor, placement, symmetry) .

realist

Build the goddamn Freedom Tower already.

rev pays

I was amazed at how cool Chicago's skyline was when I saw a set of pictures taken from the top of the John Hancock building.

Kojak

Granted nothing beats the Hong Kong skyline with the Neon lights and the mountain backdrop from across the harbor, but NYC really should’ve came in 2nd place.

Shanghai?? CHICAGO??? No I don't think so.

Not to mention the picture on that website doesn’t do NYC justice.