Skyscraper Day is celebrated each year on September 3rd
Skyscraper Day is a yearly tribute to one of humanity’s most influential inventions — the tall building. From New York and Chicago to Dubai and Shenzhen, we honour the architects, engineers and dreamers who built upward.
Why we celebrate on September 3rd
Skyscraper Day commemorates the birthday of Louis Sullivan — born on 3 September 1856 — the first master architect of high-rise buildings and the originator of the phrase “form follows function”. Sullivan worked in Chicago alongside William LeBaron Jenney, engineer of the first steel-framed 10-story building.
Tall buildings have enabled people to live more closely together, saving land from development and turning cities into artificial mountain ranges, each with its own distinct silhouette. The story is a story of two technologies: the elevator and the skeletal frame.
Where to go next
Six curated entry points into the world of tall buildings — from history to today’s tallest, from cities to community resources.
History of Skyscraper Day
Why September 3rd, the role of Louis Sullivan, and the technologies that made tall buildings possible.
Louis Sullivan
The father of the modern skyscraper, mentor to Frank Lloyd Wright, and the man behind “form follows function”.
How to celebrate
Architectural tours, photo walks, observation decks, and online communities — ideas for September 3rd.
Famous Skyscrapers
From the Empire State to Burj Khalifa — a hand-picked tour of the world’s most iconic towers.
Skyscraper Cities
Hong Kong, Shenzhen, New York, Dubai, Chicago — the great vertical cities of the world.
Resources & Links
Databases, forums, museums and awards — curated for everyone who loves tall buildings.
Want to dive deeper into the world of tall buildings?
SKYDB is a free, community-driven database of skyscrapers and high-rise buildings worldwide. Create your free account — explore, follow, and contribute.
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