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Elevator speed: 1,010 meters per minute
Building height: 509.2 meters (1,671 feet)
The world's tallest building (soon to be overtaken by the Burj Dubai), the Taipei 101 has two express elevators that together hold the all-time record for speed. Time to the 87th floor observation deck: 37 seconds.
Elevator speed: 750 meters per minute
Building height: 296 meters (972 feet)
Japan's tallest building since its completion in 1993, the tower comes complete with offices, retail space, and a five star hotel. Its elevator travels at one floor per second.
Elevator speed: 600 meters per minute
Building height: 555.3 meters (1,822 feet)
Still under construction, the Burj will become the tallest freestanding structure in the world when it's completed in 2008. Its 155 floors make it one and a half times the height of New York City's Empire State Building. The estimated price tag is for completion is $4.1 billion.
Elevator speed: 600 meters per minute
Building height: 240 meters (797 feet)
Built in 1978, Sunshine 60 held the title of East Asia's tallest building for seven years. Now it's only the eight tallest in Japan.
Elevator speed: 549 meters per minute
Building height: 344 meters (1,127 feet)
Lots of tourists whisk up to the 94th floor observation deck. The 38-year-old tower is now only the third highest in Chicago, but its elevators outrun those in the taller Sears Tower and Aon Center.
Elevator speed: 549 meters per minute
Building height: 350 meters (1,149 feet)
The tallest freestanding observation tower in the U.S., the Stratosphere's elevators get tourists from the ground to the top in 30 seconds.
Elevator speed: 540 meters per minute
Building height: 205 meters (670 feet)
A newly built urban village with residential apartments and retail shops. Three-bedroom units start at $1.3 million.
Elevator speed: 540 meters per minute
Building height: 421 meters (1,380 feet)
Completed two years ago, this 88-story marvel contains offices and a Hyatt hotel. The basement has a food court and parking for 600 cars.
Elevator speed: 426 meters per minute
Building height: 381 meters (1,250 feet)
An old classic that keeps its elevators up to date--that's necessary when you've got to get 3 million or so visitors a year to the 86th floor observation deck.
Elevator speed: 420 meters per minute
Building height: 452 meters (1,482 feet)
The tallest buildings in the world prior to the completion of the Taipei 101 in 2003, the Petronus Towers feature double-decker elevators that drop people at consecutive odd and even floors simultaneously. Evacuations are made easier by a design that lets cars open into each other from the side, allowing people to get off one car and onto another before heading down.
10 World's Fastest Elevators:
1. Taipei 101, Taiwan
Elevator speed: 1,010 meters per minute
Building height: 509.2 meters (1,671 feet)
The world's tallest building (soon to be overtaken by the Burj Dubai), the Taipei 101 has two express elevators that together hold the all-time record for speed. Time to the 87th floor observation deck: 37 seconds.
2. Yokohama Landmark Tower, Yokohama, Japan
Elevator speed: 750 meters per minute
Building height: 296 meters (972 feet)
Japan's tallest building since its completion in 1993, the tower comes complete with offices, retail space, and a five star hotel. Its elevator travels at one floor per second.
3. Burj Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Building height: 555.3 meters (1,822 feet)
Still under construction, the Burj will become the tallest freestanding structure in the world when it's completed in 2008. Its 155 floors make it one and a half times the height of New York City's Empire State Building. The estimated price tag is for completion is $4.1 billion.
4. Sunshine 60, Tokyo
Elevator speed: 600 meters per minute
Building height: 240 meters (797 feet)
Built in 1978, Sunshine 60 held the title of East Asia's tallest building for seven years. Now it's only the eight tallest in Japan.
5. John Hancock Building, Chicago
Elevator speed: 549 meters per minute
Building height: 344 meters (1,127 feet)
Lots of tourists whisk up to the 94th floor observation deck. The 38-year-old tower is now only the third highest in Chicago, but its elevators outrun those in the taller Sears Tower and Aon Center.
6. Stratosphere Tower, Las Vegas
Elevator speed: 549 meters per minute
Building height: 350 meters (1,149 feet)
The tallest freestanding observation tower in the U.S., the Stratosphere's elevators get tourists from the ground to the top in 30 seconds.
7. Freshwater Place, Melbourne, Australia
Elevator speed: 540 meters per minute
Building height: 205 meters (670 feet)
A newly built urban village with residential apartments and retail shops. Three-bedroom units start at $1.3 million.
8. Jin Mao Tower, Shanghai, China
Elevator speed: 540 meters per minute
Building height: 421 meters (1,380 feet)
Completed two years ago, this 88-story marvel contains offices and a Hyatt hotel. The basement has a food court and parking for 600 cars.
9. Empire State Building, New York
Elevator speed: 426 meters per minute
Building height: 381 meters (1,250 feet)
An old classic that keeps its elevators up to date--that's necessary when you've got to get 3 million or so visitors a year to the 86th floor observation deck.
10. Petronas Towers, Malaysia
Elevator speed: 420 meters per minute
Building height: 452 meters (1,482 feet)
The tallest buildings in the world prior to the completion of the Taipei 101 in 2003, the Petronus Towers feature double-decker elevators that drop people at consecutive odd and even floors simultaneously. Evacuations are made easier by a design that lets cars open into each other from the side, allowing people to get off one car and onto another before heading down.
