The world's first skyscraper was built in Chicago in 1885. Since that time, the United States has been home and still is home to some of the world's tallest skyscrapers. New York City, specifically the borough of Manhattan, notably has the tallest skyline in the country. Eleven American buildings have held the title of tallest building in the world (9 in New York City).New York City and Chicago have always been the centers of American skyscraper building. The 10-story Home Insurance Building, built in Chicago in 1885, is regarded as the world's first skyscraper; the building was constructed using a novel steel-loadbearing frame which became a standard of the industry worldwide.
As of 2013, One World Trade Center, also referred by the symbolic name of "Freedom Tower", in New York City was considered to be the tallest skyscraper in the United States. Its spire brings the structure to a symbolic height of 1,776 feet (541 m), connoting the year The Declaration of Independence was signed, though the tip of the structure actually is measured at 1,792 ft (546 m). However, using the more common criterion for the height of a building (the roof, not antenna) the observation deck elevation and highest occupied floor of the One World Trade Center are surpassed by Chicago's Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower) and 432 Park Ave.
Prior to the September 11, 2001 attacks in New York City, the twin towers of the World Trade Center occupied the second and third positions on the list below, behind Willis Tower. The North Tower stood at 1,368 feet (417 m), while the South Tower was 1,362-foot-tall (415 m). If they were still standing today, they would occupy the fourth and fifth positions on the list below (third and fourth if it were assumed the One World Trade Center would not have been built).
There are numerous supertall buildings both proposed and under construction throughout the country, concentrated in New York City and Chicago. Projects in New York include the Central Park Tower and 111 West 57th Street, while in Chicago, proposed structures include the Wanda Vista Tower, which will be approximately 95 stories and about 1,144 feet (349 m) tall; Wolf Point along the Chicago River; and a Rafael Vinoly-designed tower. Other tall buildings that are either proposed or under construction include the 1,121 feet (342 m) Comcast Technology Center in Philadelphia, the 970 feet (300 m) Salesforce Tower in San Francisco, and the 1,010 feet (310 m) One Bayfront Plaza and One Brickell City Centre in Miami.