The History of the Skyscraper

By: Darrell Clarke

The buildings almost look like they can pierce through the sky.

Skyscrapers are everywhere in New York, up and down the blocks of the city you can see these architectural marvels everywhere. The first skyscraper, the “Tower Building” was introduced to New Yorkers in 1889. At the time, New York was rapidly becoming a hub for commerce and business. Additionally, the urban landscape of New York was somewhat crowded with people due to immigration and overall migration of people to the city. 

In response to the influx of New Yorkers, architects had to create structures that could house people, along with being places of business if need be. To achieve this, architects had to build structures that could stretch high up, without having to be stretched out across blocks and streets so urban areas had more room for future construction. 

Skyscrapers usually consist of extensive iron work. The frame of these buildings is massive, starting from the ground level and rising to heights of 30-50 stories. The earliest skyscrapers used masonry for the foundation of the buildings until iron work became the premiere way to craft the entire structure. Eventually steel would become the main material used to make skyscrapers.

New York has and is home to many skyscrapers. Buildings like the Empire State, The Chrysler, The Twin Towers or the Freedom Tower are all great examples of skyscrapers. Each of these structures rise over 30 stories high. In today’s world, multiple countries and cities all feature skyscrapers. They have become a norm in terms of urban living and design. With each skyscraper made, a new innovation is introduced to the way they’ve been preconceived to be designed in the past. Today in most urban areas it is nearly impossible to not see a skyscraper. 

Skyscrapers are vital to urban planning and construction. They allow businesses to flourish due to their sheer size and scale. Multiple companies and corporations these days can all work in one building due to skyscrapers. In reality, the structures have become so prevalent in cities across the world that without them it would seem weird.