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My top 10 list is based on the following criteria...
1. Density -- When I think of the biggest cities, I think of dense skyscraper infill.
2. Placement -- I like symmetry. I don't like large gaps or buildings that stick out like sore thumbs.
3. Height variance -- A bunch of buildings that all seem to be roughly the same height seems dull to me.
4. Diverse architecture -- I like old skyscrapers next to new skyscrapers. I don't like all old or all new.
5. Contrasting colors -- Different colors add variety and make a skyline more interesting.
6. Size relative to population -- If you're a big city, you better have a lot of buildings.
Judging by this criteria, here's my top 10 list...
1. Chicago, IL -- Its tallest buildings are central, and there's a great variety of color and architecture. The city that built the first modern skyscraper has perfected its craft.
2. New York, NY -- Its skyline is overwhelmingly large -- almost too large -- but it doesn't have as much variety as it should, and it looks drab compared to Chicago's.
3. Pittsburgh, PA -- The symmetry is damn near perfect, and like Chicago, there's a wide variety of color and architecture. It's very impressive for a city its size.
4. Seattle, WA -- An iconic skyline with plenty of color and height variance, but slightly lacking in architectural diversity. Like Pittsburgh, its skyline is large for a city its size.
5. Houston, TX -- Very modern and colorful, but lacking in variety, and without much symmetry. The size of its skyline seems to be just right.
6. Philadelphia, PA -- This has to be the most improved skyline of the last 25 years. Its signature buildings are impressive, and there's plenty of variety, but like New York, not enough color.
7. Dallas, TX -- Dallas manages to be a mostly modern skyline that still has diverse architecture. That alone is impressive. There's also plenty of color to it -- even at night!
8. Atlanta, GA -- Like Dallas, it's both modern and diverse, but what hurts it is the lack of symmetry -- there are lots of large gaps between its signature towers.
9. Minneapolis, MN -- Modern with unique architecture, and it's the right size for the city, but it just doesn't seem colorful enough for a modern skyline.
10. Miami, FL -- Impressive for its size, and with plenty of color, but there's just not enough architectural diversity or height variance.
8. Atlanta, GA -- Like Dallas, it's both modern and diverse, but what hurts it is the lack of symmetry -- there are lots of large gaps between its signature towers.
You do realize that the "gaps" have shorter buildings in them that aren't visible in the skyline photos? You would only know this if you had experienced Atlanta from the streets, not from photos. There are "gaps" between some of the very tallest buildings (like in any other cities) but they don't consist of blank space - there is all kinds of development in those "gaps", and much of it is mid-rise.
You do realize that the "gaps" have shorter buildings in them that aren't visible in the skyline photos? You would only know this if you had experienced Atlanta from the streets, not from photos. There are "gaps" between some of the very tallest buildings (like in any other cities) but they don't consist of blank space - there is all kinds of development in those "gaps", and much of it is mid-rise.
I know what you mean, and they are usually called "hidden gems".
Lmao FLABoyJ, you really have a thing about New York huh? I know it's just your opinion, but seriously to NOT include Manhattan's skyline anywhere in a top 10 US Skylines list is kind've weird.
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I know it's an old post but...
