Notable North American Skyscrapers Quiz

Answer: Calgary

The tallest building in Canada outside of Toronto, Petro-Canada Centre's rust-red exterior and narrow rows of windows dominate Calgary's skyline.

Answer: Albany

The tallest of five buildings in the massive Empire State Plaza office complex, this skyscraper was named after the man who served as Albany's mayor from 1941 until his death in 1983.

Answer: Winston-Salem

Though Wachovia's new headquarters city of Charlotte boasts four Wachovia-named skyscrapers, the bank's original headquarters city, Winston-Salem, is home to this striking structure. Designed by architect Cesar Pelli, who also designed Charlotte's Bank of America Corporate Center, Wachovia Center is topped by a 56-foot tall granite dome which houses the building's mechanical equipment.

Answer: Jacksonville

Originally known as the Independent Life & Accident Insurance Company Building, Modis Tower was at one time Florida's tallest office building. The building rises from a distinctive flared base, and the Modis name can be seen on the tower's two wider faces.

Answer: Chicago

Known in its day as a pacesetter for skyscraper design and efficiency, One Prudential Plaza is overshadowed by its more modern glass and concrete big brother, the 995-foot Two Prudential Plaza, completed in 1990.

Answer: Atlanta

Bank of America boasts large office towers in all these cities, including the headquarters city of Charlotte. But the Bank of America Plaza in Atlanta distinguishes itself with a giant beacon shining through a latticework spire at its top. The building is the tallest in the southeastern United States and the tallest in any state capital.

Answer: Des Moines

An imposing yet beautiful skyscraper, 801 Grand has also been known as the Principal Financial Group building. It is the tallest building in the state of Iowa.

Answer: Milwaukee

Much like John Hancock Center in Chicago, US Bank Center (formerly First Wisconsin Center and Firstar Center) features a series of external supports. The supports help brace the structure against wind loads and provide an unusual decorative appearance.

Answer: Mexico City

Home to one of Mexico's largest companies, the energy giant Pemex (or Petroleos Mexicanos), the Pemex Building reigned for 18 years as the country's tallest building. Torre Mayor took over that distinction in 2002 when it was topped out.

Answer: Edmonton

One of the northernmost major cities in North America, Edmonton is home to this impressive structure, which bristles with reflective glass. Manulife Financial is a major Canadian insurance and financial services provider.

Answer: Denver

The headquarters of Qwest Communications, 1801 California is only five feet shorter than Denver's tallest building, Republic Plaza.

Answer: San Francisco

The tallest building in Northern California, the graceful and distinctive Transamerica Pyramid has been a fixture in its namesake company's television and print ads for many years. The distinctive "wings" of the building, which top out just below the uppermost portion of the spire, house elevators and stairwells.

Answer: New York City

No quiz about skyscrapers would be complete without an entry from the Big Apple. Originally the headquarters of Pan Am, the MetLife Building, shaped like an elongated octagon, had a working helipad that was eventually closed after a fatal accident. And because it was originally to be part of the reconstruction of Grand Central Station, the building has direct access to one of the world's busiest train stops.

Answer: Houston

When this imposing, five-sided structure was finished in 1982, it was the tallest building west of the Mississippi River and the tallest US building not located in New York or Chicago, distinctions that Library Tower in Los Angeles earned when it was finished in 1990. It is still the tallest building in the state of Texas.

Answer: Los Angeles

Formerly known as First Interstate World Center, Library Tower is one of the tallest buildings west of the Mississippi River, and has the world's highest operational helipad. It gets its name due to the its proximity to the Los Angeles Central Library.

The building was designed to withstand an 8.3 magnitude earthquake, but probably wouldn't fare quite as well against an alien invasion (remember "Independence Day"?). In 2003, Library Tower took on a new name, US Bank Tower. Thanks to skyscrapers.com for information on all the buildings in this quiz!