Balneário Camboriú, a coastal city in Brazil, has become a skyscraper hotspot, home to four of South America’s five tallest buildings. Developers, particularly FG Empreendimentos, have taken advantage of flexible zoning laws that allow them to buy air rights and build higher. The city’s skyline continues to grow, with the upcoming Senna Tower aiming to be the world’s tallest residential skyscraper. This rapid vertical expansion reflects a broader trend in Brazil, where increasing urban density and traffic congestion have driven cities to build upwards. While many of Balneário Camboriú’s high-rises serve as luxury second homes, some see the city as a model for vertical living that could improve urban life by integrating amenities and green spaces. With a permanent population of 150,000 that swells to over a million in summer, the city’s high-rise development could offer insights into Brazil’s future urban planning. Senna Tower’s construction begins later this year.

Screenshot