Pretty cities.
March 26, 2006 11:36 AM   Subscribe

The 15 Best Skylines.
posted by CunningLinguist (70 comments total)
 
No, we don't have zillions of skyscrapers, and no, we're not all lit up at night, but I still think my home city of Oxford is nicer than many of these.
posted by Mwongozi at 11:40 AM on March 26, 2006


Second place. Again. Always with the second city. At least we beat out New York and Seattle.
posted by aladfar at 11:46 AM on March 26, 2006


They worked hard to find a photo of Manhattan that dull.

I'm a fan of Los Angeles and Minneapolis (it's a cylindrical building thing).
posted by cillit bang at 11:51 AM on March 26, 2006


Yay Toronto!
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 11:58 AM on March 26, 2006


Yea, it's the dullest picture of the Pittsburgh skyline that I've seen too, the fountain isn't even on. This one is much nicer.
posted by octothorpe at 11:59 AM on March 26, 2006


Skylines are for postcards. I wouldn't want to live in any of these cities.
posted by disgruntled at 12:06 PM on March 26, 2006


I was very impressed by Shenzhen when I visited, but Shanghai is my favorite.

also, I like San Francisco
posted by matteo at 12:07 PM on March 26, 2006


Shanghai doesn't even look real. The building near the centre of the picture looks like it is right out of the Jetsons.
posted by purephase at 12:09 PM on March 26, 2006


I know. I didn't realize it was so cool-looking. Now I want to go there.
posted by CunningLinguist at 12:11 PM on March 26, 2006


<sigh> No love for Vancouver.
posted by PurplePorpoise at 12:17 PM on March 26, 2006


So, the standard for best skyline is apparently 'has lots of tall buildings'. How dull.

I mean, Sao Paulo can barely be said to even have a skyline, given the way it's spread out.
posted by jacquilynne at 12:26 PM on March 26, 2006


I mean, Sao Paulo can barely be said to even have a skyline, given the way it's spread out.

Don't forget the stench...
posted by thefreek at 12:29 PM on March 26, 2006


The skyscaper, if indeed it is the great physical monument of our age, does not quite evoke the same sense of the sublime, or even the sacred, as do the architectural artifacts of the past. But great assemblages of them almost do...

And, as the list-maker himself acknowledges, real urban life takes place "under the watch of the city's tallest skyscrapers" - perhaps in places like these.
posted by Urban Hermit at 12:31 PM on March 26, 2006


Seattle over Vancouver, WTF?
posted by Meatbomb at 12:31 PM on March 26, 2006


What a nice find, Urban Hermit.
posted by Cranberry at 12:38 PM on March 26, 2006




This guy's only criteria seems to be the number of buildings over 200m tall ... but I've always thought that this was the best skyline. I'm also rather partial to Denver.
posted by robhuddles at 12:43 PM on March 26, 2006


Oh, and Salt Lake City's skyline is more impressive than all those others. Man-made skyscrapers, bah.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 12:44 PM on March 26, 2006


Is that a skyline or are you happy to see me?
posted by kika at 12:44 PM on March 26, 2006


Seattle over Vancouver, WTF?

Yeah. Exactly. While ostensibly, Seattle and Vancouver are similar, Vancouver has closer mountains, a *real* waterfront, better/more refined architecture, and it is much more developed (has more, better taller buildings). I don't mean to dis' Seattle, a town that I happily called home for 8 years, but where Vancouver is a major international and cosmopolitan city, Seattle is kind of a sleepy medium sized city with a few tall buildings and a space needle. This is a huge oversight.

That picture of Tokyo is stunning. And I was similarly blown away by Shanghai. Also, WTF is that picture of New York doing in there? Is that the view from the Pulaski Skyway or something? Not very interesting. I have personally taken a 100 better shots of the Big Apple than that one.
posted by psmealey at 12:46 PM on March 26, 2006


we should be #1--a skyline is distinguished by its unique and iconic buildings, not its groupings of bland glass box towers, or its one and only distinctive symbol (Toronto, Sydney, Shenzen, Kuala Lumpur, etc). And Frankfurt should not be there at all--even London's now developed a better skyline than that.
posted by amberglow at 12:54 PM on March 26, 2006


Frankfurt? Puuu-leez! San Francisco!
posted by tula at 12:56 PM on March 26, 2006


That's definately a bit weird. The Space Needle may be iconic, but Seattles downtown area of tall buildings is tiny, and not particularly interesting either.

Frankfurt is just dull.
posted by Artw at 12:57 PM on March 26, 2006


Seattle is commonly referred to as the Emerald City and renowned as a great social and corporate city with great planning and planning.

That's a lie... and a lie. Still stinging from the Seattle Commons fiasco of all those years ago. Seattle has a lot of positive things going for it, but planning? What a joke. Seattle suffers from some of the worst gridlock in the country, still can't get off it's ass to take a serious look at changes to mass transit, and its formerly pastoral outer burbs have been raped by over-development and sprawl for nearly 20 years now.
posted by psmealey at 1:05 PM on March 26, 2006


I'm glad Dallas got some props... Its problem is that the skyline is ONLY spectacular at night. During the day, it's merely average.
posted by InnocentBystander at 1:43 PM on March 26, 2006


I probably won't ever move back to Chicago, but when I visit my hometown, I'm still amazed by the beauty of its skyline when viewed from the lakefront. For better or worse, I think cities have a way of getting under the skin of their inhabitants.
posted by Eamon at 1:47 PM on March 26, 2006


Woo-hooo! Pittsburgh!

Seriously, any mention (even no. 16 on a list of 15) of this under-rated city makes me smile.
posted by deliquescent at 1:48 PM on March 26, 2006


San Francisco is not on the list?!? Are you kidding me!!!??
posted by hellameangirl at 1:49 PM on March 26, 2006


Skyscrapers are boring. Here's a vote for Blaenau Ffestiniog.
posted by nylon at 1:58 PM on March 26, 2006


I was shocked and pleased to see Toronto on the list. I don't know if it has a fabulous skyline, but I love Toronto.
posted by Hildegarde at 2:00 PM on March 26, 2006


That image of Guangzhou with the "transparent" building is mad cool, though. How is that accomplished, anyone know?
posted by Hildegarde at 2:03 PM on March 26, 2006


I live the life of freelance and versatility. I do ad hoc writing, website development and theorizing. I am an entrepreneur. I hold a degree in Urban and Regional Planning, but am also prolific in sociology, psychology, self-improvement and website development.

If this were other than one person's AOK (area of knowledge, doncha know), I'd be really pissed over the ommission of Vancouver, The Jewel of the Fucking Pacific, fer chrissake!
posted by 327.ca at 2:07 PM on March 26, 2006


Perhaps he'll bump Chicago up to number one in a few years. Trump is erecting this one now, and this one is looking good to go ahead with construction.

My favorite view of the city is driving south into the Loop on the Kennedy. You get the whole panaorama from the Hancock on North Michigan all the way down to the Sears Tower near the Eisenhower.
posted by hwestiii at 2:12 PM on March 26, 2006


No offence, Amberglow, I love NY and all, but I think you're letting your knowledge of New York cloud your judgement. Toronto has more than one iconic building, as does Sidney. Most every Canadian knows BCE place, the Bank of Montreal Tower, the Sky Dome, City Hall (my favourite) as well as the CN tower. (All I can really say for the latter is, well...it is awfully tall). I don't think people for outside of New York actually recognize more than the Chrysler and Empire State buildings. I'm not saying they shouldn't. I'm just pointing out that icons are not necessarily universal.

Personally, my vote go for skylines that complement natural beauty. I love Vancouver and San Francisco for that. And, yes, Manhatten.
posted by gesamtkunstwerk at 2:15 PM on March 26, 2006


The author says that the CN Tower isn't the tallest free-standing structure in the world, citing TV antennas that are taller. Apparently they don't understand the term "free-standing".

Some interesting pictures, but seriously - Frankfurt? That's the best city they could find in Europe? Yeesh.
posted by antifuse at 2:26 PM on March 26, 2006


"Some interesting pictures, but seriously - Frankfurt? That's the best city they could find in Europe? Yeesh."
posted by antifuse at 8:26 AM AEST on March 27

I should like to express similar indignation over Sydney being listed as having Australia's best skyline. Sydney is nice and all, but may I present to you my native Brisbane? Much nicer, I think.
posted by Effigy2000 at 2:38 PM on March 26, 2006


I will stand up for Seattle-- if you're ever taken the Ferry to/from Bainbridge Island around sunset, then you know that Seattle's skyline is something special.
posted by cell divide at 2:39 PM on March 26, 2006


I am ashamed.
I saw the link text and expected to see skylines.
posted by juv3nal at 2:47 PM on March 26, 2006


I will stand up for Seattle-- if you're ever taken the Ferry to/from Bainbridge Island around sunset, then you know that Seattle's skyline is something special.

Took the words right out of my mouth. I used to live in Eagle Harbor or Bainbridge. The highlight of my my day was the ferry ride to and from; especially at night.

When I moved to Chicago in 1987, I'll never forget how, for a moment, I literally couldn't breathe when I first caught glimpse of Chicago's skyline as we drove down Lakeshore drive.
posted by KevinSkomsvold at 2:48 PM on March 26, 2006


Yeah. Exactly. While ostensibly, Seattle and Vancouver are similar, Vancouver has closer mountains, a *real* waterfront, better/more refined architecture, and it is much more developed (has more, better taller buildings).

From many third-floor balconies in the Commercial Drive area, the view west, towards the stadiums and the downtown core is literally breathtaking. I enjoy that view as much or more than the more traditional Vancouver skyline.
posted by solid-one-love at 2:49 PM on March 26, 2006


I don't think people for outside of New York actually recognize more than the Chrysler and Empire State buildings.

I think lots of people would recognize the Citicorp tower, the Flatiron building, the ATT/Sony building, and the Brooklyn Bridge, at least.

And on the flipside, it's hard to think of a building that's just a big box like the BMO is (assuming I'm remembering that one correctly) as being iconic. All I need to do is show someone the silhouette of the Chrysler, or Empire State, or Citicorp, and they should be able to say NEW YORK! Ditto with the CN tower or the Sydney Opera House or the John Hancock, for their cities. But no way could I show someone a slender rectangle and think that they'd be able to distinguish the Bank of Montreal any other tall box in the world.

But I'd agree that the whole schtick of the cluttered, dense Manhattan skyline is one that Asian cities do better.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 2:55 PM on March 26, 2006


Sydney should have been much higher than 12th.
posted by spock at 3:10 PM on March 26, 2006


Do Frankfurt and Sao Paulo have any business being on this list?

I live in Austin. We have one or two buildings worth looking at. But at least you can look at them from the lake.

I also agree with InnocentBystander: Dallas is only interesting at night. Plus, much of the downtown area is desolate at night and on weekends. A person can walk around beneath the monoliths on Sunday afternoon and feel lucky to encounter a homeless person. It's surreal.

This post makes me want to travel in Asia. A lot.
posted by Jonasio at 3:19 PM on March 26, 2006


Personally, my vote go for skylines that complement natural beauty. I love Vancouver and San Francisco for that.

Indeed.



Can your city do this?
posted by insomnia_lj at 3:55 PM on March 26, 2006


The pictures of the Chinese cities, especially Shenzhen and Guangzhou, are kind of funny if you're ever actually been there. You maybe have a view like that 5 days a year...the other days you can't see through the smog.
Shanghai and HK really are unbelievable though, and they are only going to get more insane, especially Shanghai...
posted by banishedimmortal at 4:30 PM on March 26, 2006


Skylines are for postcards. I wouldn't want to live in any of these cities.
posted by disgruntled at 12:06 PM PST on March 26 [!]


based upon their Skylines? Where do you live btw....?
posted by Debaser626 at 5:42 PM on March 26, 2006


We're adding another monolith to the Hong Kong skyline in 2007: the 102-storey, 474-metre (1,555-foot) Union Square Phase 7.
posted by bwg at 6:58 PM on March 26, 2006


For height, Toronto has nothing on New York. I got a neck cramp the first three times I visited from looking up constantly.

But that said, sheer hometown patriotism would have to make me vote for it - and frankly, what I love about Toronto as a city is that it isn't very tall. I love the neighbourhoods that are full of green trees reaching up to the top of the 3 storey houses, that are dense enough to be fun and walkable, but not so dense they are oppressive with people.

Tallest viewing platform. I'm cool with that.
posted by jb at 7:10 PM on March 26, 2006


Yes. Thank you for all the San Francisco love that's already been expressed here. Granted, there are some spectacular skylines in that list which I'd never seen, but fucking Frankfurt? What kind of jackass loser puts Frankfurt in a list of best skylines and omits San Francisco???

So, the standard for best skyline is apparently 'has lots of tall buildings'. How dull.


Oh. THAT kind of jackass loser.
posted by scarabic at 7:58 PM on March 26, 2006


I'm a Seattle resident (who LOVES the view coming into the city from the bay) but I think Vancouver and San Francisco both beat it out.

psmealy -- Seattle IS addressing their transportation problem (albeit way too late). Check this out.
posted by Bear at 8:00 PM on March 26, 2006


Personally, I can't stand the view of Dongpu from the Bund in Shanghai. It's a garish nightmare. The Oriental Pearl TV Tower looks like a big hypodermic needle. And considering the way I've seen the Chinese actually maintain buildings (glass covered buildings built in the early 90s already covered with a slimy residue), I wouldn't be surprised if it all looks completely grubby 10-15 years from now, especially if there's every an economic downturn there.

On the other hand, HK's skyline absolutely rocks. I took this picture on a clear autumn day a couple of years ago.


posted by alidarbac at 8:14 PM on March 26, 2006


jb-- I agree. I love Toronto, but it's not a beauty thing. There are pretty things, but what makes the city special is hard to put your finger on. It's cozy, a little gritty, pretty gentle, and a lot of fun.
posted by gesamtkunstwerk at 8:15 PM on March 26, 2006


On preview alidarbac. Gorgeous photo! I have to say, HK would be my #1.
posted by gesamtkunstwerk at 8:19 PM on March 26, 2006


Oh, that is pretty alidarbac.

Count me as one of the people who aren't impressed by the lack of SF on the list. Bah!
posted by kosher_jenny at 8:29 PM on March 26, 2006


Yeah, I was going to say that whatever the other disagreements (including leaving out SF) the choice of Hong Kong as #1 is right on.
posted by vacapinta at 8:31 PM on March 26, 2006


I just got back from a 3-week trip that took me to Shanghai, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Chicago. Agree with Hong Kong as #1, and I'll vouch for Shanghai's inclusion on the list - that place is growing by leaps and bounds. Some of the really tall buildings have turned one entire side into gigantic TV sets that light up at night. It was weird to watch ads on them.
posted by laz-e-boy at 8:57 PM on March 26, 2006


Seoul? You've got to be kidding me.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 9:28 PM on March 26, 2006


Alidar -- awesome photo -- can I ask what camera you used?

I sort of think skylines from not-democratic countries should be kept off the list.

Something about free markets and fairer governments creating capitalistic monuments seems more holy than a dictator saying "Ok, one more!".

That is, I'm sure most American cities would love to construct kick butt skylines -- but, as our freedom permits, the suburban office complex is the wave of the American future however.
posted by narebuc at 10:06 PM on March 26, 2006


The list seems very blinkered. What about Edinburgh - which pretty much invented the idea of high rise building , or Paris where they have probably the world's most iconic tower or Prague where the snow covers the perfect rooftops or Rio de Janeiro at sunset.
posted by rongorongo at 3:52 AM on March 27, 2006


I sort of think skylines from not-democratic countries should be kept off the list. Something about free markets and fairer governments creating capitalistic monuments seems more holy than a dictator saying "Ok, one more!".

Well, to be fair, Shanghai's impressive skyline is a monument to capitalism and massive (and very unequal) economic growth - the PRC has found that capitalism and dictatorship fit very well together.
posted by jb at 4:02 AM on March 27, 2006


Detroit has a skyline, too!
posted by OmieWise at 5:04 AM on March 27, 2006


To join the small Pittsburgh contingent, it has a spectacular "entrance". Heading from the airport into town, you roll through the typical suburbia as it increases in density and age, and then head through the Fort Pitt tunnels. You emerge from these tunnels straight onto the Fort Pitt bridge, with the lovely golden triangle laid out before you. Astoundingly specactular at night.

If you're in town for a visit/conference/etc, I highly recommend taking the Incline up adjacent "Mt." Washington for breathtaking views of the city and the rivers.
posted by allan at 8:08 AM on March 27, 2006


But that's just it jb -- If China were more democratic I seriously doubt they'd have built as they did -- resources needed for the rural areas and all.

A skyscraper is a very 20th century, very democratic/capitalist thing.

Something about seriously being able to work in the mailroom on the bottom floor and get to the top (even if it rarely happens) only adds to their charm. When in history have such impressive monuments been associated to such noble goals?

When (and if) the Freedom Tower actually opens it will have gone through an ridiculously public design and appeals process and the finished result, even if it looks bad, will still be mostly one of the people's.

I'm not sure a Shanghai mailroom worker has that opportunity. And, it's a shame because it's an impressive skyline to say the least.
posted by narebuc at 8:23 AM on March 27, 2006


You emerge from these tunnels straight onto the Fort Pitt bridge, with the lovely golden triangle laid out before you.

Yep, one of the best entrances in all of city-dom. Unfortunately, when my mom picks me up from the airport, she insists on going up 79, because "I'm not driving through downtown!" *sigh*
posted by dirigibleman at 8:27 AM on March 27, 2006


Wow, looking at these pictures NY should have been even further down the list. Yay for chicago.
posted by justgary at 9:38 AM on March 27, 2006


Image hosting by Photobucket

Auckland City
posted by statehighways at 12:45 PM on March 27, 2006


Voting for Chicago, and damn, does Brazil looked crowded or what? Dubai also looks really cool.
posted by Todd Lokken at 11:34 AM on March 28, 2006


Auckland looks very pretty.

But would it survive if the sea levels went up 14m? Toronto would :)
posted by jb at 2:29 PM on March 29, 2006


Rising sea levels are the least of our problems... volcanic eruptions anyone?
posted by statehighways at 11:26 PM on March 29, 2006


I guess no one listens to Superchunk anymore.
posted by OmieWise at 5:13 AM on March 30, 2006


« Older Dawkin's The Selfish Gene, 30yrs On...   |   Cornish Bush π Newer »


This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments