50 Best US Skylines - Page 7

BnaBreaker · #**121** Posted **Jun 3, 2024, 4:37 PM**

The addition of mountains to a cityscape I certainly get the appeal of, but I'm not really sure what difference a city being on a lake versus being on a saltwater bay makes with respect to a skyline photo, but to each their own, I guess?

Steely Dan · #**122** Posted **Jun 3, 2024, 4:39 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueDot

What do you think makes or breaks a city’s skyline ?

The three main things I look for:

"Spikey-ness" (or "anti-plateau")
Bulk/density
Architectural variation/distinctiveness.

Natural elements like water or mountain backdrops can certainly be magnificent skyline enhancers, but not deal breakers in my eyes.

mhays · #**123** Posted **Jun 3, 2024, 4:40 PM**

Buildings that don't look too stubby. (A big advantage for a residential skyline vs. offices)

MolsonExport · #**124** Posted **Jun 3, 2024, 4:42 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steely Dan

The three main things I look for:

"Spikey-ness" (or "anti-plateau")
Bulk
Architectural variation/distinctiveness.

good shortlist, to which I would add (perhaps as a subsection of Bulk), Density.

Dense cities just look really interesting, and hold the eye.

mhays · #**125** Posted **Jun 3, 2024, 4:44 PM**

Yes, density. No "see through" skylines with big gaps.

MolsonExport · #**126** Posted **Jun 3, 2024, 4:49 PM**

^yes, I don't care for linear skylines without the background layers (upon layers). As much as I don't care for table top skylines, I will take them over spikiness skylines if the latter lacks density.

Steely Dan · #**127** Posted **Jun 3, 2024, 5:02 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MolsonExport

good shortlist, to which I would add (perhaps as a subsection of Bulk), Density.

Dense cities just look really interesting, and hold the eye.

Yes.

I guess I was including density in with "bulk" in my mind, but yeah, that's a crucial component as well.

"A very dense bulk with lots of spikes of architectural distinction"

Also

"That special skyline magic found in spades in cities like Jacksonville that Toronto completely lacks"

The North One · #**128** Posted **Jun 3, 2024, 5:08 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueDot

What do you think makes or breaks a city’s skyline ?

Whether or not it's over-saturated with ugly condo balcony towers.

mhays · #**129** Posted **Jun 3, 2024, 5:12 PM**

I'd say more condo balcony towers. They add life and detail to the view, while also suggesting more 18-hour activity below.

bigstick · #**130** Posted **Jun 3, 2024, 5:22 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by wanderer34

BEST SKYLINES

1. New York
2. Chicago
3. Miami
4. San Francisco
5. Boston
6. Pittsburgh
7. Seattle
8. Los Angeles
9. Washington DC
10. Atlanta

BEST POTENTIAL

1. Miami
2. Tampa
3. Newark, NJ
4. Detroit
5. Austin
6. Providence, RI
7. Denver
8. Charlotte
9. Kansas City
10. Oakland

Apparently, you have not been to Atlanta lately?

giallo · #**131** Posted **Jun 3, 2024, 6:21 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by BnaBreaker

The addition of mountains to a cityscape I certainly get the appeal of, but I'm not really sure what difference a city being on a lake versus being on a saltwater bay makes with respect to a skyline photo, but to each their own, I guess?

Any body of water works for me. Even a river really helps a skyline pop.

MolsonExport · #**132** Posted **Jun 3, 2024, 6:46 PM**

In terms of foreground or background:
Mountains > Water (Ocean/Lake > River, in most cases) > Woods > Prairie > Railyards > Subdivisions (

)

edale · #**133** Posted **Jun 3, 2024, 6:46 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by wanderer34

BEST SKYLINES

1. New York
2. Chicago
3. Miami
4. San Francisco
5. Boston
6. Pittsburgh
7. Seattle
8. Los Angeles
9. Washington DC
10. Atlanta

BEST POTENTIAL

1. Miami
2. Tampa
3. Newark, NJ
4. Detroit
5. Austin
6. Providence, RI
7. Denver
8. Charlotte
9. Kansas City
10. Oakland

DC doesn't even have a skyline. Unless you're counting Roslyn, which is small and short and certainly not one of the best skylines in the country.

craigs · #**134** Posted **Jun 3, 2024, 6:48 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by wanderer34

BEST SKYLINES

1. New York
2. Chicago
3. Miami
4. San Francisco
5. Boston
6. Pittsburgh
7. Seattle
8. Los Angeles
9. Washington DC
10. Atlanta

BEST POTENTIAL

1. Miami
2. Tampa
3. Newark, NJ
4. Detroit
5. Austin
6. Providence, RI
7. Denver
8. Charlotte
9. Kansas City
10. Oakland

No Philadelphia?

MolsonExport · #**135** Posted **Jun 3, 2024, 6:52 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by craigs

No Philadelphia?

I'd place Philly right after SF and above Boston. Several of the cities on that list would not be on my own.

JManc · #**136** Posted **Jun 3, 2024, 6:55 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by craigs

No Philadelphia?

Breathes heavily...

PHL10 · #**137** Posted **Jun 3, 2024, 7:21 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by craigs

No Philadelphia?

Wanderer34 is actually from Philadelphia and is still upset that the City committed the unforgivable crime of not forcing a developer to build the American Commerce Center against their will about 15 years ago.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Commerce_Center

Xing · #**138** Posted **Jun 3, 2024, 9:54 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by goat314

The St. Louis skyline slander is crazy. The Arch alone should give it some points.

I’m guessing people are just doing their own personal lists, where most prefer height and architecture, density?

I’m a fan of the skylines with unique characteristics. So Seattle, San Francisco, and STL are always on my list for this reason.

Obviously NYC and Chicago are unique, have density, height, and great architecture - the whole package.

I wouldn’t know what else to add to that list, DC and Vegas for the incredibly unique, yet very short skylines that no one here would ever list?

Just to troll the height lovers? Muhaha!

I love Philly and Boston too, so maybe those guys.

wanderer34 · #**139** Posted **Jun 3, 2024, 10:01 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigstick

Apparently, you have not been to Atlanta lately?

Atlanta has a nice, respectable skyline, but it's too spread out and not concentrated. Still, it's in my Top 10, so why complain?

Quote:

Originally Posted by edale

DC doesn't even have a skyline. Unless you're counting Roslyn, which is small and short and certainly not one of the best skylines in the country.

I added DC because it's a unique and recognizable skyline, albeit no tower can be taller than the Washington Monument, last time I checked. Skylines don't always have to be skyscrapers and towers all the time.

wanderer34 · #**140** Posted **Jun 3, 2024, 10:05 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by PHL10

Wanderer34 is actually from Philadelphia and is still upset that the City committed the unforgivable crime of not forcing a developer to build the American Commerce Center against their will about 15 years ago.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Commerce_Center

I'm actually from Brooklyn, NY, and have lived in Philadelphia for almost two decades, so get that right! I'm not going to go through with the ACC, since the project is dead and y'all didn't want it. Haven't even mentioned that tower or anything Philly-related on this site (apart from Philly sports and the occasional SEPTA barbs and miscellaneous) since my virtual and physical exodus back in 2021. Y'all had your chance, and I've moved on to much better ventures, such as the Caribbean, and another dynamic and growing urban force in Miami and other cities such as Tampa and Orlando.