Quote:
Originally Posted by MolsonExport
NYC and Chicago, in my view, stand head and shoulders above all other skylines, due to quality and variety acquired over many decades. As such, they will probably never be bested, no matter how much is built elsewhere, unless NYC and Chicago tore down the wonderful edifices from the 1910s-1930s, that they possess in spades relative to other cities.
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1910-1930 high-rises are, by far, my favourite architecturally but having a good inventory of them isn't enough to keep a skyline ahead indefinitely. If it were, skylines like Cleveland and Detroit would still feature in most people's Top 10.
A skyline needs to add to its inventory each decade so it can add to its architectural layering. If it doesn't, it may start looking stale/dated and the skyline that's missing architecture from certain eras. Even if one equates 1 good 1920's building to 4 modern buildings the same quality, scale and architectural layering will eventually outweigh one's preference for 1920s high-rises. Paris > Detroit.
In the eyes of most, skylines that don't continually refresh start slipping down the ranks. 20 years ago, I viewed things much the way you do but a tipping point does get reached. Chicago's place as #1 or #2 (depending on who you ask) is on shaky ground and it's not just Toronto set to zoom right past it. I wouldn't be surprised if I have Melbourne ahead of Chicago 15 years from now.