List of tallest buildings in Sydney

, the largest city in Australia, is home to 1,168 completed high-rise buildings, more than any other city in Australia. Of those completed or topped out, the entire city has 58 buildings that reach a height of at least, of which 18 reach a height of at least – the second-highest number of skyscrapers in Australia, as well as a further 11 buildings rising to at least in height currently under construction.
Although the tallest buildings in the city have historically been concentrated in the central business district and immediate surrounding areas such as Barangaroo and Ultimo, suburbs within the Sydney metropolitan area have all seen a substantial surge in the development of high rises and skyscrapers in recent years, with major satellite centres such as Chatswood, Parramatta, North Sydney, St Leonards and Macquarie Park all witnessing or playing host to the construction of skyscrapers rising above 150 metres. As a result, Sydney has the tallest building and most skyscrapers outside an inner city area or core in Australia.
Sydney was one of the first cities in Australia and internationally to welcome the introduction of skyscrapers and high-rise office blocks in the mid 20th century, alongside cities in the U.S., including New York City and Chicago. Witnessing a boom in the 20th century, Sydney has played host to various buildings which have held the title of the tallest building in Australia including St James' Church, the Sydney Town Hall, the Garden Palace, the General Post Office, AWA Tower, AMP Building, 25 Martin Place, and the Australia Square tower in 1967 at tall, which was Australia's first true skyscraper as defined as rising above or at least 150 metres high. Since 2020, Crown Sydney has been Sydney's tallest building and the 4th tallest building in Australia, rising to a height of.

History

19th century

Sydney played host to Australia's first tallest building in 1824 with the construction of St James' Church. Standing at a height of, it was commissioned by Governor Lachlan Macquarie in 1819, designed by Francis Greenway and constructed between 1820 and 1824 using convict labour. The partially complete Sydney Town Hall, built in Victorian Second Empire style, surpassed this height in 1878 with the completion of its clock tower that stood at a height of. This title was briefly held until the completion of the Garden Palace in 1879, standing at a height of. The Garden Palace likewise only held this title as tallest briefly, after its demise from a fire in 1882. Hence, the Sydney Town Hall once again became Sydney's tallest until 1891 with the completion of the General Post Office. Standing at a height of, the GPO was at the time described upon opening by the Postmaster General as a building that "will not be surpassed by any other similar structure in the southern hemisphere".

20th century

Towards the end of the 19th century and throughout the beginning of the 20th century, advances in building technology and design coupled with rising urban land values meant that high rise buildings became an attractive proposition in Sydney. Considered to be Sydney's first high-rise office building, Culwulla Chambers, was completed in 1912 and stood at a height of. Designed by Spain, Cosh and Minnett, the building consisted of 14 floors and cost £100,000 to build, equivalent of approximately $1 million in today's money. This new wave of construction of taller buildings consequently raised concerns over fire risks, namely the inadequate firefighting resources of the period that failed to reach such heights. The fire in the 8 storey Anthony Hordern & Sons building in 1901, which resulted in the death of five people, was notably one of the first cases to raise such concerns. In 1907, Alfred Webb, then the Superintendent of the Sydney Metropolitan Fire Brigade, described how it was "a suicidal policy to allow buildings of 100 feet to go up. Our extension ladders rise to a height of 80 feet, and it might be possible to add another 10 feet to them; but the effectiveness of their working is materially decreased as the height is added to." Additionally, public backlash against increased heights also became apparent during this period, primarily stemming from sentiments that taller buildings did not match the aesthetic of Sydney's streetscape and that they would become a source of increased overcrowding and congestion. As a result, the Height of Buildings Act was passed in 1912, which limited all new buildings to a height of. This restriction stunted the height of Sydney's buildings, lasting until 1957.
Despite these height restrictions, 1939 saw the completion of the AWA Tower, which finally surpassed the General Post Office's title as Sydney's tallest after 48 years. At a height of, the AWA tower also became the city's first building to surpass a height of, and would go on to stay as the tallest until 1962.
File:70-673, Sydney 1970.jpg|thumb|The Sydney skyline in 1970. Visible is Gold Fields House, Australia Square, the AMP Building, and the State Office Block

1960s and 1970s

With growing demand for office space, the abolition of the height limit in 1957 saw a subsequent construction boom for taller buildings beginning in the late 50s through to the early 1960s. During this period, Sydney played host to the construction of various new towers that would subsequently stand as the tallest in the nation. In 1962, the modernist AMP Building was completed, becoming the tallest building in Australia at a height of. Shortly after, Australia Square was completed in 1967, also taking the title tallest in Australia at. At the time, Australia Square was the world's tallest light weight concrete building and was also the first true skyscraper in Australia at over as defined by the Council on [Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat].
Following this, the 1970s saw Sydney continue its construction boom and status as the city with the nation's tallest buildings. In 1976, the AMP Centre was completed, standing at a record height of. This title was short-lived, with the completion of the Harry Seidler designed MLC Centre in 1977, which stood at a height of 228 metres, the first building in Australia to surpass.

1980s and 1990s

Since 1981, the Sydney Tower has stood as the tallest structure in Sydney at, though as an observation tower, it fails to be classified as a building as defined by architectural standards set by the CTBUH. In 1992, the Chifley Tower became the tallest building in Sydney at a height of. The 1990s was also a period which saw the construction of numerous residential skyscrapers, starting with The Peak in 1996 at a height of, followed by the Century Tower in 1997 at a height of.

21st century

A height restriction implementation persisted in Sydney's building regulations well into the early 2010s. However, this height restriction was lifted in 2016, allowing buildings to be built as high as on condition that public spaces were not overshadowed. This was further raised to at the end of 2019.
Sydney's most recent residential tower, 505 George Street, will rise 270 metres, comprising 80 stories much of it serviced apartments. As the tower penetrates Sydney Airport's Obstacle Limitation Surfaces it will require an Aeronautical Impact assessment approval, which it received in 2020, although construction has yet to start as of 2024.
The current tallest building in Sydney, and the fourth tallest in Australia is Crown Sydney. Completed in 2020 it stands at a height of, overtaking the Chifley Tower's previous title as tallest in Sydney, standing at a height of.

Tallest buildings

This list ranks completed buildings in Sydney that stands at least tall, including new buildings which have fully reached their architectural height. All structures are measured to the highest architectural detail, including spires.
Note: Sydney Tower is defined as a structure, as opposed to a building. It is included here for comparison purposes, but is not counted in any figures or totals.

Rank	Name	Image	Height m	Floors	Year	Location	Purpose	Notes
N/A	Sydney Tower			–	1981	100 Market Street CBD	Observation and telecommunications	Observation and telecommunications tower, not a habitable building. Included for comparison purposes.
1	Crown Sydney			75	2020	1-11 Barangaroo Avenue Barangaroo	Mixed use	Tallest building in Sydney since 2020, 4th tallest building in Australia. Completed in December 2020.
2	Salesforce Tower			53	2022	180 George Street CBD	Commercial	Tallest commercial building in Sydney since 2022. Completed in November 2022
3	One Sydney Harbour (Tower 1)			72	2024	88 Barangaroo Avenue Barangaroo	Residential	Tallest residential building in Sydney since 2024
4	Chifley Tower			50	1992	2 Chifley Square CBD	Commercial	Tallest building in Sydney from 1992 to 2019. Originally 241 m until a 3 m lightning rod was added in 2000. Designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox.
5	Citigroup Centre			50	2000	2 Park Street CBD	Commercial	Designed by Crone Partners
6	Deutsche Bank Place			39	2005	126 Phillip Street CBD	Commercial	The second-tallest building in the world with fewer than 40 floors. 160 m to roof. Designed by Norman Foster.
7	Greenland Centre			67	2021	115 Bathurst Street CBD	Residential	Completed in March 2021. Tallest residential building in Sydney from 2021 to 2022
=8	One Sydney Harbour			68	2024	88 Barangaroo Avenue Barangaroo	Residential
= 8	Meriton World Tower			75	2004	85 Liverpool Street CBD	Residential	Tallest residential building in Sydney from 2004 to 2020. Part of the World Square complex. Designed by Nation Fender Katsalidis.
10	25 Martin Place			60	1977	19 Martin Place CBD	Commercial	244 m to antenna and 227 m to roof. Tallest building in Sydney from 1977 to 1992. Designed by Harry Seidler.
11	Governor Phillip Tower			61	1993	1 Farrer Place CBD	Commercial	254 m to antenna and 227 m to roof. Designed by Denton Corker Marshall.
12	Parramatta Square">List of tallest buildings in Parramatta">Parramatta Square			57	2022	6-8 Parramatta Square Parramatta	Commercial	Tallest building in Parramatta
13	Latitude			45	2004	680 George Street CBD	Commercial	190 m to roof. Part of the World Square complex.
14	Aurora Place			41	2000	88 Phillip Street CBD	Commercial	More commonly known as Aurora Place but officially RBS Tower. 188 m to roof. Designed by Renzo Piano.
15	8 Phillip Street			66	2025	8 Phillip Street Parramatta	Residential	Tallest residential building in Parramatta. Topped out in June 2025
16	International Tower 1			50	2016	100 Barangaroo Avenue Barangaroo	Commercial	Designed by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners.
17	Quay Quarter Tower			54	1976/2022	50 Bridge Street CBD	Commercial	Originally built as the AMP Centre in 1976 at ; the tallest building in Sydney upon completion. Redeveloped from 2018. Designed by 3XN Architects.
18	George Street, Parramatta\|180 George Street]			67	2023	180 George Street Parramatta	Residential
19	One Circular Quay			60	2025	1 Alfred Street CBD	Residential	Structurally topped out in April 2025
20	ANZ Tower			46	2013	161 Castlereagh Street CBD	Commercial	Designed by Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp
=21	Trilogy - Tower C			59	2025	100 Talavera Road Macquarie Park	Residential	Tallest building in Macquarie Park. Topped out in August 2025
=21	Suncorp Place			48	1982	259 George Street CBD	Commercial	Construction began in 1970 and was not completed until 1982, as the project was delayed many times.
23	180 George Street			59	2023	180 George Street Parramatta	Residential	Topped out in November 2022
24	Century Tower			50	1997	343 Pitt Street CBD	Residential	Tallest residential building in Sydney from 1997 to 2004.
25	88 Walker Street			47	2023	86-88 Walker Street North Sydney	Commercial	Tallest building in North Sydney. Completed in August 2023
26	Grosvenor Place			45	1988	225 George Street CBD	Commercial	Designed by Harry Seidler.
27	International Tower 2			43	2015	200 Barangaroo Avenue Barangaroo	Commercial	Designed by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners.
28	Altitude West Tower			55	2017	330 Church Street Parramatta	Residential
29	1 Elizabeth			38	2024	1 Elizabeth Street CBD	Commercial	Structurally topped out in May 2023
30	Capita Centre	[Image:Capita Centre crop.jpg\|160x160px\|alt=]		31	1989	9 Castlereagh Street CBD	Commercial	Designed by Harry Seidler.
=31	Victoria Cross Tower			40	2025	189 Miller Street North Sydney	Commercial	Topped out core in November 2024
=31	Australia Square Tower			46	1967	264 George Street CBD	Commercial	Tallest building in Sydney from 1967 to 1976. Designed by Harry Seidler.
=31	Meriton Tower			48	2006	551 George Street CBD	Residential	Designed by Harry Seidler.
=31	Metro Grand Residences			40	2014	438 Victoria Avenue Chatswood	Residential
=35	The Peak			46	1996	2 Quay Street Haymarket	Residential	Tallest residential building in Sydney from 1996 to 1997. Part of the Market City complex.
=35	International Tower 3			40	2016	300 Barangaroo Avenue Barangaroo	Commercial	Designed by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners.
=37	1 O'Connell Street			36	1991	1 O'Connell Street CBD	Commercial	Designed by Peddle Thorp & Walker.
=37	Westpac Place			35	2005	275 Kent Street CBD	Commercial	Designed by Johnson Pilton Walker
39	201 Elizabeth Street			40	1978	201 Elizabeth Street CBD	Commercial	Formerly known as the Pacific Power Building.
40	Gateway Plaza			46	1989	1 Macquarie Place CBD	Commercial	Designed by Peddle Thorp & Walker.
41	HSBC Centre			37	1988	580 George Street CBD	Commercial	Formerly known as The Pavilion Building.
42	1 Denison Street			48	2020	1 Denison Street North Sydney	Commercial	Topped out in December 2019. Completed in August 2020
=43	The Cove			45	2003	129 Harrington Street North Sydney	Residential	Designed by Harry Seidler.
=43	4 Parramatta Square			39	2020	4 Parramatta Square Parramatta	Commercial	Topped out in July 2019. Completed in early 2020
=43	Paramount on Parkes			47	2024	14-20 Parkes Street Harris Park	Residential	Structurally topped out in March 2024
=46	88 by JQZ			49	2022	88 Christie Street St Leonards	Residential
=46	34 Walker Street			45	2024	34 Walker Street Rhodes	Residential	Tallest building in Rhodes
=48	HOME Parramatta			48	2025	116 Macquarie Street Parramatta	Residential
=48	Hordern Towers			48	1999	401 Pitt Street CBD	Residential	Part of the World Square Complex.
=50	Parkline Place			39	2024	175-185 Castlereagh Street CBD	Commercial
=50	EY Centre			40	2015	200 George Street CBD	Commercial	Designed by Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp.
=50	Metro Spire Residences			37	2014	440 Victoria Avenue Chatswood	Residential
=53	100 Mount Street			39	2019	100 Mount Street North Sydney	Commercial	Completed in June 2019
=53	Angel Place			35	2000	123 Pitt Street CBD	Commercial	Designed by Peddle Thorp & Walker.
=53	Sydney Central			31	1992	477 Pitt Street CBD	Commercial
=53	Trilogy -Tower A			46	2025	112 Talavera Road Macquarie Park	Residential	Topped out core in November 2024
=57	85 Castlereagh Street			32	2011	85 Castlereagh Street CBD	Commercial	Part of the Sydney Tower complex. Also known as the JP Morgan building. Designed by John Wardle Architects.
=57	Lumière Residences			47	2007	487 George Street CBD	Residential	Designed by Norman Foster.

Tallest under construction or approved

This is a list of 150m+ approved and under construction skyscrapers in Sydney.

Topped out

Under construction

Approved

Timeline of tallest buildings

This list includes buildings that once stood as tallest in Sydney.

Name	Image	Years as tallest	Height	Floors	Notes
Hunter Clock Tower		1797–1806		–	Collapsed in 1806. Site of Old St Philip's Church.
Government Windmill		1806–1809		–	Demolished in the 1850s for the Sydney Observatory.
Old St Philip's Church		1809–1812		4	Demolished in 1856.
Commissariat Stores		1812–1824		4	Demolished in 1939.
St James' Church		1824–1875		–	Tallest building in Australia. Sydney's earliest tallest building still in existence.
Town Hall		1878–1879		4	Tallest building in Australia
Garden Palace		1879–1882		2	Destroyed by fire in 1882. Tallest building in Australia.
Town Hall		1882–1891		4	Tallest building in Australia
General Post Office		1891–1932		5	Tallest building in Australia
AWA Tower		1939–1962		14
AMP Building		1962–1965		26
State Office Block		1965–1967		38	Demolished in 1997 to make way for Aurora Place. Tallest building ever to have been demolished in Sydney.
Australia Square Tower		1967–1976		46
AMP Centre		1976–1977		45	Redeveloped into the Quay Quarter Tower from 2018 to 2021.
25 Martin Place		1977–1992		60
Chifley Tower		1992–2020		50	15th-tallest building in Australia.
Crown Sydney		2020–present		75	Tallest building in Sydney 2020–present; 4th tallest building in Australia.