List of tallest buildings in Sydney facts for kids

A north-western view of the Sydney central business district skyline in May 2022

Sydney, the largest city in Australia, is home to 1,168 completed high-rise buildings, more than any other city in Australia. Of those completed or topped out, the entire city (including metropolitan suburbs) has 52 buildings that reach a height of at least 150 metres (490 ft), of which 17 reach a height of at least 200 metres (660 feet) – the second–highest number of skyscrapers in Australia, as well as a further 16 buildings rising to at least 150 metres (490 feet) in height currently under construction.

Although the tallest buildings in the city have historically been concentrated in the central business district and immediate surrounding areas such as Barangaroo and Ultimo, suburbs within the Sydney metropolitan area have all seen a substantial surge in the development of high rises and skyscrapers in recent years, with major satellite centres such as Chatswood, Parramatta, North Sydney, St Leonards and Macquarie Park all witnessing or playing host to the construction of skyscrapers rising above 150 metres. As a result, Sydney has the tallest building and most skyscrapers (reaching at least 150 metres or above) outside an inner city area or core in Australia.

Sydney was one of the first cities in Australia and internationally to welcome the introduction of skyscrapers and high-rise office blocks in the mid 20th century, alongside cities in the U.S., including New York City and Chicago. Witnessing a boom in the 20th century, Sydney has played host to various buildings which have held the title of the tallest building in Australia including St James' Church, the Sydney Town Hall, the Garden Palace, the General Post Office, AWA Tower, AMP Building, 25 Martin Place, and the Australia Square tower in 1967 at 170 metres (560 feet) tall, which was Australia's first true skyscraper as defined as rising above or at least 150 metres high. Since 2020, Crown Sydney has been Sydney's tallest building and the 4th tallest building in Australia, rising to a height of 271 metres (889 feet).

History

19th century

Sydney played host to Australia's first tallest building in 1824 with the construction of St James' Church. Standing at a height of 52 metres (171 feet), it was commissioned by Governor Lachlan Macquarie in 1819, designed by Francis Greenway and constructed between 1820 and 1824 using convict labour. The partially complete Sydney Town Hall, built in Victorian Second Empire style, surpassed this height in 1878 with the completion of its clock tower that stood at a height of 57 metres (187 feet). This title was briefly held until the completion of the Garden Palace in 1879, standing at a height of 64 m (210 ft). The Garden Palace likewise only held this title as tallest briefly, after its demise from a fire in 1882. Hence, the Sydney Town Hall once again became Sydney's tallest until 1891 with the completion of the General Post Office. Standing at a height of 73 m (240 ft), the GPO was at the time described upon opening by the Postmaster General as a building that "will not be surpassed by any other similar structure in the southern hemisphere".

20th century

The Circular Quay and city skyline, 1920s

Towards the end of the 19th century and throughout the beginning of the 20th century, advances in building technology and design coupled with rising urban land values meant that high rise buildings became an attractive proposition in Sydney. Considered to be Sydney's first high-rise office building, Culwulla Chambers, was completed in 1912 and stood at a height of 50 metres (160 ft). Designed by Spain, Cosh and Minnett (with Rupert Minnett), the building consisted of 14 floors and cost £100,000 to build, equivalent of approximately $1 million in today's money. This new wave of construction of taller buildings consequently raised concerns over fire risks, namely the inadequate firefighting resources of the period that failed to reach such heights. The fire in the 8 storey Anthony Hordern & Sons building in 1901, which resulted in the death of five people, was notably one of the first cases to raise such concerns. In 1907, Alfred Webb, then the Superintendent of the Sydney Metropolitan Fire Brigade, described how it was not a good "policy to allow buildings of 100 feet to go up. Our extension ladders rise to a height of 80 feet, and it might be possible to add another 10 feet to them; but the effectiveness of their working is materially decreased as the height is added to." Additionally, public backlash against increased heights also became apparent during this period, primarily stemming from sentiments that taller buildings did not match the aesthetic of Sydney's streetscape and that they would become a source of increased overcrowding and congestion. As a result, the Height of Buildings Act was passed in 1912, which limited all new buildings to a height of 46 metres (151 feet). This restriction stunted the height of Sydney's buildings, lasting until 1957.

Despite these height restrictions, 1939 saw the completion of the AWA Tower, which finally surpassed the General Post Office's title as Sydney's tallest after 48 years. At a height of 112 metres (367 feet), the AWA tower also became the city's first building to surpass a height of 100 metres (330 feet), and would go on to stay as the tallest until 1962.

The Sydney skyline in 1970. Visible (from right) is Gold Fields House, Australia Square, the AMP Building, and the State Office Block

1960s and 1970s

With growing demand for office space, the abolition of the 46 metres (151 feet) height limit in 1957 saw a subsequent construction boom for taller buildings beginning in the late 50s through to the early 1960s. During this period, Sydney played host to the construction of various new towers that would subsequently stand as the tallest in the nation. In 1962, the modernist AMP Building was completed, becoming the tallest building in Australia at a height of 115 metres (377 feet). Shortly after, Australia Square was completed in 1967, also taking the title tallest in Australia at 170 metres (560 feet). At the time, Australia Square was the world's tallest light weight concrete building and was also the first true skyscraper in Australia at over 150 metres (490 feet) as defiined by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat.

Following this, the 1970s saw Sydney continue its construction boom and status as the city with the nation's tallest buildings. In 1976, the AMP Centre (now the Quay Quarter Tower) was completed, standing at a record height of 188 metres (617 feet). This title was short-lived, with the completion of the Harry Seidler designed MLC Centre in 1977, which stood at a height of 228 metres, the first building in Australia to surpass 200 metres (660 feet).

1980s and 1990s

Since 1981, the Sydney Tower has stood as the tallest structure in Sydney at 309 m (1,014 ft), though as an observation tower, it fails to be classified as a building as defined by architectural standards set by the CTBUH. In 1992, the Chifley Tower became the tallest building in Sydney at a height of 244 metres (801 feet). The 1990s was also a period which saw the construction of numerous residential skyscrapers, starting with The Peak in 1996 at a height of 168 metres (551 feet), followed by the Century Tower in 1997 at a height of 183 metres (600 feet).

21st century

A 235-metre (771 ft) height restriction implementation persisted in Sydney's building regulations well into the early 2010s. However, this height restriction was lifted in 2016, allowing buildings to be built as high as 310 metres (1,020 ft) on condition that public spaces were not overshadowed. This was further raised to 330 metres (1,080 ft) at the end of 2019.

Sydney's most recent residential tower, 505 George Street, will rise 270 metres, comprising 80 stories much of it serviced apartments. As the tower penetrates Sydney Airport's Obstacle Limitation Surfaces (OLS) it will require an Aeronautical Impact assessment approval.

The current tallest building in Sydney, and the fourth tallest in Australia is Crown Sydney. Completed in 2020 it stands at a height of 271 m (889 ft), overtaking the Chifley Tower's previous title as tallest in Sydney, standing at a height of 244 metres (801 feet).

An eastern view of the Sydney central business district skyline in 2023

Tallest buildings (150m+)

This list ranks completed buildings in Sydney that stands at least 150 m (490 ft) tall, including new buildings which have fully reached their architectural height. All structures are measured to the highest architectural detail, including spires.

Note: Sydney Tower is not included as it is defined as a structure, as opposed to a building.      Was Sydney's tallest building when completed

Rank	Name	Image	Height (m)	Height (ft)	Floors	Year	Purpose	Location	Address	Notes
1	Crown Sydney		271	889	75	2020	Mixed use	Barangaroo	1-11 Barangaroo Avenue	Tallest building in Sydney since 2020, 4th tallest building in Australia. Completed in December 2020.
2	Salesforce Tower		263	863	53	2022	Commercial	CBD	180 George Street	Tallest commercial building in Sydney since 2022. Completed in November 2022
3	One Sydney Harbour (Tower 1)		247	810	72	2024	Residential	Barangaroo	Barangaroo Avenue	Tallest residential building in Sydney since 2024
4	Chifley Tower		244	801	50	1992	Commercial	CBD	2 Chifley Square	Tallest building in Sydney from 1992 to 2019. Originally 241m until a 3m lightning rod was added in 2000. Designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox.
5	Citigroup Centre		243	797	50	2000	Commercial	CBD	2 Park Street	Designed by Crone Partners
6	Deutsche Bank Place		240	787	39	2005	Commercial	CBD	126 Phillip Street	The second-tallest building in the world with fewer than 40 floors. 160m to roof. Designed by Norman Foster.
7	Greenland Centre		237	778	67	2021	Residential	CBD	115 Bathurst Street	Completed in March 2021. Tallest residential building in Sydney from 2021 to 2022
=8	One Sydney Harbour (Tower 2)		230	754	68	2024	Residential	Barangaroo	Barangaroo Avenue
= 8	Meriton World Tower		230	754	75	2004	Residential	CBD	85 Liverpool Street	Tallest residential building in Sydney from 2004 to 2020. Part of the World Square complex. Designed by Nation Fender Katsalidis.
10	25 Martin Place		228	748	60	1977	Commercial	CBD	19 Martin Place	244m to antenna and 227m to roof. Tallest building in Sydney from 1977 to 1992. Designed by Harry Seidler.
11	Governor Phillip Tower		227	745	61	1993	Commercial	CBD	1 Farrer Place	254m to antenna and 227m to roof. Designed by Denton Corker Marshall.
12	6 & 8 Parramatta Square		225.45	739.66	57	2022	Commercial	Parramatta	6-8 Parramatta Square	Tallest building in Parramatta
13	Latitude		222	728	45	2004	Commercial	CBD	680 George Street	190m to roof. Part of the World Square complex.
14	Aurora Place		219	718	41	2000	Commercial	CBD	88 Phillip Street	More commonly known as Aurora Place but officially RBS Tower. 188m to roof. Designed by Renzo Piano.
15	International Tower 1		217	711	50	2016	Commercial	Barangaroo	100 Barangaroo Avenue	Designed by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners.
16	Quay Quarter Tower		216	709	54	1976/2022	Commercial	CBD	50 Bridge Street	Originally built as the AMP Centre in 1976 at 188 m (617 ft); the tallest building in Sydney upon completion. Redeveloped from 2018. Designed by 3XN Architects.
17	180 George Street (North Tower)		213	699	67	2023	Residential	Parramatta	180 George Street	Tallest residential building in Parramatta. Topped out in July 2022
18	ANZ Tower		195	639	46	2013	Commercial	CBD	161 Castlereagh Street	Designed by Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp
19	Suncorp Place		193	633	48	1982	Commercial	CBD	259 George Street	Construction began in 1970 and was not completed until 1982, as the project was delayed many times.
20	180 George Street (South Tower)		189	620	59	2023	Residential	Parramatta	180 George Street	Topped out in November 2022
21	Century Tower		183	600	50	1997	Residential	CBD	343 Pitt Street	Tallest residential building in Sydney from 1997 to 2004.
22	88 Walker Street		181	594	47	2023	Commercial	North Sydney	86-88 Walker Street	Tallest building in North Sydney. Completed in August 2023
23	Grosvenor Place		180	590	45	1988	Commercial	CBD	225 George Street	Designed by Harry Seidler.
24	International Tower 2		178	583	43	2015	Commercial	Barangaroo	200 Barangaroo Avenue	Designed by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners.
25	Altitude West Tower		177	581	55	2017	Residential	Parramatta	330 Church Street
26	1 Elizabeth		174	571	38	2024	Commercial	CBD	1 Elizabeth Street	Structurally topped out in May 2023
27	Capita Centre		173	567	31	1989	Commercial	CBD	9 Castlereagh Street	Designed by Harry Seidler.
=28	Australia Square Tower		170	557	46	1967	Commercial	CBD	264 George Street	Tallest building in Sydney from 1967 to 1976. Designed by Harry Seidler.
=28	Meriton Tower		170	557	48	2006	Residential	CBD	551 George Street	Designed by Harry Seidler.
=28	Metro Grand Residences		170	557	40	2014	Residential	Chatswood	438 Victoria Avenue
=31	The Peak		168	551	46	1996	Residential	Haymarket	2 Quay Street	Tallest residential building in Sydney from 1996 to 1997. Part of the Market City complex.
=31	International Tower 3		168	551	40	2016	Commercial	Barangaroo	300 Barangaroo Avenue	Designed by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners.
=33	1 O'Connell Street		166	544	36	1991	Commercial	CBD	1 O'Connell Street	Designed by Peddle Thorp & Walker.
=33	Westpac Place		166	544	35	2005	Commercial	CBD	275 Kent Street	Designed by Johnson Pilton Walker
35	201 Elizabeth Street		165	541	40	1978	Commercial	CBD	201 Elizabeth Street	Formerly known as the Pacific Power Building.
36	Gateway Plaza		164	538	46	1989	Commercial	CBD	1 Macquarie Place	Designed by Peddle Thorp & Walker.
37	HSBC Centre		162	531	37	1988	Commercial	CBD	580 George Street	Formerly known as The Pavilion Building.
38	1 Denison Street		159	522	48	2020	Commercial	North Sydney	1 Denison Street	Topped out in December 2019. Completed in August 2020
=39	The Cove		158	518	45	2003	Residential	CBD	129 Harrington Street	Designed by Harry Seidler.
=39	4 Parramatta Square		158	518	39	2020	Commercial	Parramatta	4 Parramatta Square	Topped out in July 2019. Completed in early 2020
=39	Paramount on Parkes		158	518	47	2024	Residential	Harris Park	14-20 Parkes Street	Structurally topped out in March 2024
=42	88 by JQZ		157	515	49	2022	Residential	St Leonards	88 Christie Street
=42	34 Walker Street (Tower 1)		157	515	45	2024	Residential	Rhodes	34 Walker Street	Topped out in December 2023
44	Hordern Towers		156	511	48	1999	Residential	CBD	401 Pitt Street	Part of the World Square Complex.
=45	Parkline Place		155	508	39	2024	Commercial	CBD	175-185 Castlereagh Street	Structurally topped out in March 2024
=45	EY Centre		155	508	40	2015	Commercial	CBD	200 George Street	Designed by Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp.
=45	Metro Spire Residences		155	508	37	2014	Residential	Chatswood	440 Victoria Avenue
=48	100 Mount Street		152	498	39	2019	Commercial	North Sydney	100 Mount Street	Completed in June 2019
=48	Angel Place		152	498	35	2000	Commercial	CBD	123 Pitt Street	Designed by Peddle Thorp & Walker.
=48	Sydney Central		152	498	31	1992	Commercial	CBD	477 Pitt Street
=51	85 Castlereagh Street		151	495	32	2011	Commercial	CBD	85 Castlereagh Street	Part of the Sydney Tower complex. Also known as the JP Morgan building. Designed by John Wardle Architects.
=51	Lumière Residences		151	495	47	2007	Residential	CBD	487 George Street	Designed by Norman Foster.

Skylines

Sydney CBD
150m +
Completed/Topped out: 32
Under construction: 6
Tallest building: Salesforce Tower (263m)

Barangaroo
150m +
Completed/Topped out: 6
Tallest building: Crown Sydney (271m)

Parramatta
150m+
Completed/Topped out: 5
Under construction: 3
Tallest building: 6 & 8 Parramatta Square (230m)

North Sydney
150m+
Completed/Topped out: 3
Under construction: 1
Tallest building: 86-88 Walker Street (181m)

Chatswood
150m+
Completed/Topped out: 2
Tallest building: Metro Grand Residences (170m)

St Leonards
150m+
Completed/Topped out: 1
Tallest building: 88 by JQZ (157m)

Rhodes
150m +
Completed/Topped out: 1
Tallest building: 34 Walker Street (157m)

Sydney Olympic Park
100m +
Completed/Topped out: 3
Tallest building: Boomerang on Olympic Boulevard (126m)

Tallest buildings proposed, approved and under construction

This is a list of 150m+ proposed, approved and under construction skyscrapers in Sydney.

Timeline of tallest buildings

This list includes buildings that once stood as tallest in Sydney.

Name	Image	Years as tallest	Height	Floors	Notes
Hunter Clock Tower		1797–1806	45 m (148 ft)	–	Collapsed in 1806. Site of Old St Philip's Church.
Government Windmill		1806–1809	12 m (39 ft)	–	Demolished in the 1850s for the Sydney Observatory.
Old St Philip's Church		1809–1812	15 m (49 ft)	4	Demolished in 1856.
Commissariat Stores		1812-1824	18 m (59 ft)	4	Demolished in 1939.
St James' Church		1824–1875	52 m (171 ft)	–	Tallest building in Australia (1824 - 1875). Sydney's earliest tallest building still in existence.
Town Hall		1878–1879	57 m (187 ft)	4	Tallest building in Australia (1878 - 1879)
Garden Palace		1879–1882	64 m (210 ft)	2	Destroyed by fire in 1882. Tallest building in Australia (1879 - 1882)
Town Hall		1882–1891	57 m (187 ft)	4	Tallest building in Australia (1882 - 1891)
General Post Office		1891–1932	73 m (240 ft)	5	Tallest building in Australia (1891 - 1932)
AWA Tower		1939–1962	112 m (367 ft)	14
AMP Building		1962–1965	115 m (377 ft)	26
State Office Block		1965–1967	128 m (420 ft)	38	Demolished in 1997 to make way for Aurora Place. Tallest building ever to have been demolished in Sydney.
Australia Square Tower		1967–1976	170 m (560 ft)	46
AMP Centre		1976–1977	188 m (617 ft)	45	Redeveloped into the Quay Quarter Tower (216m) from 2018 to 2021.
25 Martin Place		1977–1992	228 m (748 ft)	60
Chifley Tower		1992–2020	244 m (801 ft)	50	15th-tallest building in Australia.
Crown Sydney		2020–present	271 m (889 ft)	75	Tallest building in Sydney 2020–present; 4th tallest building in Australia.

Sydney's tallest building (blue) and tallest structure (grey) from 1789 to 2021.

See also

• List of tallest buildings in Chatswood
• List of tallest buildings in Parramatta
• List of tallest buildings in Australia
• List of tallest buildings and structures in Australia
• Buildings and architecture of Sydney
• List of tallest buildings in Oceania